Coville to set off this morning

Sodebo skipper out to break Francis Joyon's solo Route of Discovery record

After a long wait the Trade Winds have re-established themselves between the Canaries and the Caribbean and as a result a window has opened for Thomas Coville and his 60ft trimaran Sodebo to make an attempt on the solo Route of Discovery record between Cadiz and San Salvador in the Bahamas.

This 3,884 mile record currently stands at 11 days 3 hours and 17 minutes, set by Coville's Locmariaquer neighbour, good friend and frequent sailing companion Francis Joyon on the trimaran IDEC in November 2004.

To break the record Coville will have to average 14.53 knots and it should be remembered that Sodebo is two thirds the length of Joyon's IDEC, although the 60ft trimaran has a much higher power to weight ratio than Joyon's globe trotter.

At present the weather situation is lining up to less good than Joyon experienced for the first three days between the south of Spain and the Canaries while the second part of the course across the Atlantic to the Bahamas is looking better. Hence the decision to set sail this morning.