The clock is just waiting for the starting signal. François Gabart and his crew are watching for the ideal weather to challenge the ultimate record around the globe held by Francis Joyon since 2017, the Jules-Verne trophy. According to the skipper based in Concarenau, with his much more recent boat, the record is ready to fall.
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The time has come. François Gabart and his crew on the maxi-trimaran SVR-Lazartigue are ready to take off. Their goal? Capture the legendary Jules-Verne Trophy, the record for sailing around the world, non-stop, with a crew. On Monday, François Gabart’s team confirmed on social networks: “Starting this Monday, the SVR-Lazartigue officially enters stand-by. The crew is watching for optimal weather conditions to set off.”
The challenge is immense: to beat the 40 days, 23 hours and 30 minutes established in 2017 by Francis Joyon aboard Idec Sport. To succeed, François Gabart brought together a solid team. Tom Laperche, Amélie Grassi, Pascal Bidégorry, Antoine Gautier and Emilien Lavigne come on board, each bringing their expertise.
The Jules-Verne Trophy is the holy grail. An absolute record, the ultimate crewed world tour, without stopovers or assistance.
“The Jules-Verne Trophy is the holy grail. An absolute record, the ultimate crewed world tour, without stopovers or assistance.”says François Gabart in the press release for his project. For him, adventure is not just about speed: “It’s also a magnificent navigation around the planet, as a team.”
“We want to fly around the planet”, François Gabart hopes to go around the world in less than 40 days
The crew is a true dream team. Pascal Bidégorry, veteran of offshore records, brings his incomparable experience. Antoine Gautier and Emilien Lavigne, aces in marine technologies, guarantee a trimaran at the top of its form. Amélie Grassi, former navigator on Ultim, injects energy and passion. As for Tom Laperche, the youngest, he already impresses with his maturity and talent. “A complete, balanced crew, ready to take on the challenge”welcomes François Gabart, famous for his victories in the Vendée Globe and the Route du Rhum.
The record could fall very far.
François Gabartabout the Jules Verne Trophy
Conditions are favorable. Since 2017, technological advances, notably the famous foils, these wings which allow sailboats to fly above the water, have revolutionized racing. François Gabart remains optimistic: “The record can fall very wide. But the unexpected is part of the game, it’s both cruel and magnificent.”
The SVR-Lazartigue joins Thomas Coville’s Sodebo Ultim 3, already on stand-by. Both are patient, monitoring the favorable weather windows until mid-February. The third expected competitor, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, gave up following a dismasting in October.
This year, the Trophy sailors could come across the Vendée Globe IMOCAs, which left on November 10 and are approaching the Doldrums, a feared area of calms and storms. A nod to the past: the Trophy, created in the 1980s, is inspired by the challenge of Phileas Fogg, hero of Jules Verne, to complete a world tour in less than 80 days. In 1993, Bruno Peyron made it a reality, completing the loop in 79 days.
For François Gabart and his teammates, departure is imminent. The timer is waiting. And perhaps, a historic record.
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