Idec launched

Francis Joyon's new trimaran for record breaking gets dipped in Lorient

A long awaited moment took plac earlier today for singlehanded round the world record breaker Francis Joyon as his brand new Idec trimaran was launched into the water by crane at the submarine silos in the heart of Lorient's harbour.

Attending the launch was Idec Group Chairman Patrice Lafargue, designers Nigel Irens and Benoit Cabaret, the build team from Marsaudon Composites along with many assembled friends, guests and journalists.

"I am happy to see her sitting well on her lines," said a radiant Joyon. "I am also touched to see here all those which took part in the construction of Idec. Our project relied on magic to bring its various parts together - the duo of Irens-Cabaret, Samuel Marsaudon for the platform, the building team at Gépéto for the appendages and Lorima for the mast and boom - all these worked well together under the direction of Christophe Houdet and were coherent and successful unit."

Long term supporter of Francis Joyon, Idec's Patrice Lafargue, mourned the lost of the first Idec trimaran (run up on the rocks off the Brittany coast after returning from a successful bid to break the solo west to east transatlantic record) and amazement at the new Irens-Cabaret design: "This boat, we saw it being born in plans but what we see today exceeds our imagination," he said. "The boat is in the image of Francis - in strength and simplicity. The bar we raised at the time of our previous adventures are particularly high. The new adventure consists in going to reconquer them and reviving these magic moments whatever the outcome."

After almost 15 months in construction, the boat will be fitted with her rig this weekend. The sails from Incidence are ready and Francis hopes to go on the boat's maiden voyage nxt week. Once she is ready, the new Idec will be taken to her new homeport of La Trinite-sur-Mer, where more test work will continue.

"I am in a hurry to take her out,” confirms Francis. "It's been more than two months that I haven't sailed and I feel like I am rusting!”

The program for the new Idec, but the primary goal is to regain the solo non-stop around the world record held by Ellen Macarthur. Also on the agenda are the solo record across the Pacific and the Route of Discovery from Cadiz to San Salvador, plus the 24 hour record. "The boat is Spartan," admits Joyon, "but it can be carried out by a crew of four."

More photos on page 2...