Joyon to compete in Round the Island

IDEC continue their program

After several weeks back in the boatyard, Francis Joyon's singlehanded non-stop round the world record breaker, the 90ft trimaran IDEC is to be relaunched on 1 June at Chantier Multiplast in Vannes.

The boat has been refitted following her record breaking voyage. Much of her deck gear has been replaced and a new two bladed folding propellor has replaced the old one which used to open whenever the boat exceeded 20 knots. The gear on the rig has been reduced substantially, with the removal of all the safety gear on it fitted for the round the world voyage. For the round the world record Joyon used a mainsail that was 10 years old and has now invested in a new replacement.

IDEC, a subsidiary of engineering group Groupe Acanthe Ingénierie, have announced today their continuation of their to-date extremely successful program with Joyon.

First off will be the Round the Island race on 26 June. In this Joyon hopes to break both the course and race records, although this will be highly dependent upon the weather. After the Round the Island IDEC will return to France having attempted the record for the cross Channel course between Cowes to Dinard, currently held by Maiden II.

Later in the year Joyon will attempt the Route of Discovery record transatlantic from Cadiz to San Salvador in the Bahamas - singlehanded. This stands at 9 days 13 hours 31 minutes and 12 seconds, set by Steve Fossett and the crew of PlayStation in February last year and Joyon says he would like to make the passage in a similar time to PlayStation.

On his return from the Bahamas, Joyon has made no mention of making an attempt on the New York to Lizard record that Ellen MacArthur and B& Q Castorama is currently waiting to leave on. However he says that if conditions are right he will target Laurent Bourgnon's solo 24 hour run record of 540 miles.

This weekend Joyon is looking over the Channel at the start of The Transat, the event which as complete underdog he won four years ago, setting a new course record of 9 days, 23 hours and 21 minutes.

Joyon provides an interesting forecast for the race: "when I read in the yachting press that all the skippers are favourite, except one, Giovanni Soldini., then I decided to make my favourite of him. It is possible to do splendid things with boats which do not have the degree of preparation as the others..."

Trimaran IDEC Program

Beginning of June: Launched
Mid-June: sea trials in Bay of Quiberon
26 June: Round the Island
July/August: Cowes-Dinard record attempt
3-4 Septmeber: Clairefontaine Trophy, La Trinite -sur-Mer
October: Deliver boat to Cadiz ready for Route of Discovery record
January-April 2005: Return to Europe and 24 hour record