Frenchman sails around world in record 72 days, 22 hours

[moof]

At 0654 GMT this morning, Francis JOYON (FRA) aboard the 90 ft Trimaran IDEC
crossed the line from which he started just under 73 days ago, to set the fastest
single-handed circumnavigation of the globe at 72 days, 22 hours and 55 minutes.

The previous solo record, set during the 2000 – 2001 Vendee Globe by winner,
and Joyon’s fellow countryman Michel DESJOYEAUX stood at a little over 93 days
in his Open 60 “PRB” and Joyon, in an incomparable boat, hammered that record by
over 20 days. Remarkably Joyon's time is less than 10 days off the fully crewed,
Jules Verne record set by another Frenchman, Bruno PEYRON in Orange in 2002.
More amazingly, from 1997 until 2002 Olivier de KERSAUSON and a full crew on
Sport Elec held the Jules Verne Trophy in a record time of 71 days 14 hours and 22 minutes,
Joyon's trimaran IDEC is the same boat and sailing solo he took only 32 hours longer.

In the closing stages of Joyon’s epic adventure, a collision with an unidentified object
which punched a hole in the port float could have easily ended his record attempt,
but in a strong wind finish, Joyon sailed into Brest this morning under a
heavily reefed main, and storm jib.

http://www.sailing.org/Article_content.asp?ArticleID=6341

[lastknowngood]

1. some people are really bored with their life

n/t

[Native]

2. Awesome!

Only 32 hours longer sailing solo - incredible. Thanks for the post!

[Bonhomme Richard]

3. Should I assume you are a.......

Sailor.

[moof]

4. aye matey, but only a pirate at heart

hopelessly landlocked & torn between relocation to either Vancouver B.C. or Grand Cayman.

The story was on ABC evening News tonight. But this text seemed a better story. The title is from a Japan article on the story.

Really prefered this title but since it is a moof contrivance
it could not be used here in LBN.

France, Solo Brest Sailor returns to Bosom
of around the world the world Sailing.

[soup]

5. Congratulations to Francis Joyon!!

Wow!

"He has shown what this new breed of boat can do and has now laid down the gauntlet for Ellen in her new trimaran. It is an exciting time and records will no doubt continue to fall."

MacArthur may find challenging the new record daunting. She is currently in New Zealand conducting sea trials with her new £1 million 75ft trimaran, B&Q, which has been designed for such world record attempts.

Speaking in Australia before Joyon reached the finish line, MacArthur welcomed his intervention: "He's setting the pace – he's setting unbelievable speeds.

"I'm watching his route and reading what's been going on. It hasn't changed my feelings about what I'm trying to do. I'm glad Francis is out there – I think he's an awesome guy and he's just out there doing it."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1-987838,00.html

[tinymontgomery]

6. This is a great race

There's a book called "Godforsaken Sea" about the 96-97 Vendee Globe race. Outstanding reading if your into sailing. A couple of boats were capsized and one just disappeared, never found the sailor.

[hatrack]

7. Check out "The Strange Last Voyage Of Donald Crowhurst"

By Tomalin & Hall. It's one of the most fascinating stories I've ever read, and a wonderful cautionary tale for those who might consider running away to sea to "leave their troubles behind".

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. I second that recommendation

one of the most haunting real life stories I've ever read.