Joyon reclaims his record

A tricky finish for IDEC on the Route of Discovery

Francis Joyon, skipper of the maxi trimaran IDEC, has succeeded in setting a new singlehanded record for the Route of Discovery passage between Cadiz, Spain and San Salvador in the Bahamas. Crossing the finish line at 02:06 GMT this morning, he set a new time of 9 days 20 hours and 35 minutes for the 3,885 mile course at an average of 16.4 knots. This improves upon the previous record set by Thomas Coville and his ORMA 60 Sodebo by 15 hours and 15 minutes.

While Joyon has become notorious for his demolition of the world's sailing records, yesterday the record looked to be in the balance for the French legend when his monster trimaran was becalmed in just 1-4 knots of breeze.

"It's 50-50, and there is much to do..." commented his router Jean-Yves Bernot. "The swell seems to be oriented from the east and perhaps this will bring wind from there."

For Joyon it was a difficult night having to make considerable sail changes and eight gybes to make the most of the slightest zephyr in order to get his big tri moving. "I have large gennakers that enable me to create a little apparent wind. These are huge sails help me catch what little air there is circulating on the water. "