Code Orange

Francis Joyon may set off this week on solo transatlantic attempt

Francis Joyon is once again on-site in New York, ready to set sail on an attempt on the 2,925 mile long solo record across the North Atlantic between the Ambrose Light off New York harbour and the Lizard.

Now approaching the end of June, Joyon has been on stand-by his boat in New York awaiting a suitable weather window to start the attempt since 10 April. He has already set offf once, returning when conditions provded unsuitable.

At the moment weather guru Jean-Yves Bernot believes that a weather window is developing which could prove suitable for Joyon to make an attempt on Laurent Bourgnon's 11 year old record of 7 days, 2 hours and 34 minutes (at an average speed of 17.3 knots). Hence with a depression forming over the eastern seaboard of the US and with the Azores high in place to provide constant westerlies, Joyon and his 90ft trimaran IDEC have gone 'Code Orange'.

"The idea is simple," explains Joyon. "The aim is to stay in front of the depression in regular southwesterly winds." However to break the record it will be necessary to maintain these 20-25 knot wind conditions for seven days and have the depression not head too far north that Joyon runs out of win approaching Europe.

That Bourgnon's record has stood for 11 years is impressive. During that singlehanded record attempt the amazing Swiss skipper set a new 24 hour - at the time faster than anyone had ever sailed fully crewed...

Last year Ellen MacArthur and her new B&Q Castorama trimaran attempted the record and fell short by 15 minutes. "Laurent Bourgnon's Primagaz was 60ft long and easier to handle." IDEC is longer and is also heavier.

The skipper of IDEC will devote this day of Tuesday to clean the boat. IDEC will then be in the starting blocks ready to leave as of Wednesday evening.