Gabart and SVR-Lazartigue crossed the starting line

In search of the Jules Verne Trophy, François Gabart and his maxi-trimaran SVR-Lazartigue crossed the starting line off the coast of Ouessant (Finistère) on Saturday at 7:51:38 a.m., a few hours after another challenge, helmed by Thomas Coville (Sodébo ). “At the beginning of January!” exclaimed the French skipper, whose objective is “to fly the Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue from the start to the end of this world tour” and to set the record for this crewed, non-stop sailing race.

He set off with the objective of beating the record established in 2017 by Francis Joyon (Idec) of 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds. “We have a window which is not easy but records are made to be attempted”he stressed. “There is something to try. It will be a close-hauled start in strong winds and, above all, very heavy seas. Once these tough conditions are overcome, it goes very well up to the equator, or even further”said the 41-year-old skipper.

His maxi-trimaran had left its home port of Concarneau on Friday around 2:00 p.m. after entering stand-by on Monday, November 18. François Gabart, already holder of the solo round-the-world record (42 days 16 hours 40 minutes and 35 seconds), is supported by Tom Laperche, Amélie Grassi, Antoine Gautier, Émilien Lavigne and Pascal Bidégorry. Friday evening, the crew of the maxi-trimaran Sodebo led by Thomas Coville took the start first at 9:03:46 p.m. (GMT+1).

SVR-Lazartigue and Sodebo Ultim 3 are expected to cross paths with the Vendée Globe IMOCAs, which left Sables-d'Olonne on November 10 and whose first boats reached the Indian Ocean during the night from Friday to Saturday. Imagined in the 1980s, the Jules-Verne Trophy was to reward the sailor who, imitating the hero Phileas Fogg, would circumnavigate the globe in less than 80 days. Bruno Peyron did it in 1993 in 79 days.