Can't wait

Thomas Coville and Sodebo set sail on their solo non-stop round the world record bid

Thomas Coville's maxi trimaran Sodebo crossed the start line for his solo non-stop round the world record attempt today at 14 hours 54 minutes and 14 seconds, French time (13:54:14 GMT). The wind at the time was NNW 15-17 knots, Sodebo under one reef and staysail.

To beat Francis Joyon's record, Coville must be back at the Petit Minou located at the entrance to the Rade de Brest no later than 15 January 2009 at 03:27:20 GMT.

"This is a moment we have all been waiting for several weeks," explained Coville before leaving. "The timing of the departure represents an important issue for the future. We decided to leave today because this morning the situation between the Canary Islands and Cape Verde did not appear to be absolute clear!"

The latest routing, Coville says, will get Sodebo to the equator in seven days... He adds that "the situation for several days is really good with a sea not too difficult at first, in 20-25 knots northwest winds. These will be followed by a shift to the north/northeast, which offers a favorable angle for a multihull, the conditions under which the boat should not suffer too much and where I could make the speed without too much effort."

He adds on a more personal note: "I admit that I like this moment when the inertia becomes action, this time for which we have all be been preparing."