France V UK in solo sailing record

After two days Francis Joyon at the helm of the 100ft trimaran, IDEC, is 110 miles further on than current solo round the world record holder Ellen Macarthur was at this stage. Joyon’s strategy is to try and beat Ellen’s performance in the North Atlantic as she had her best time between the start and Ecuador in 8 days, 18 hours and 20 minutes.

Joyon’s online tracking function gives his position and that of MacArthur’s at the same point in her circumnavigation.

It all promises to heat up when Thomas Coville on his similar 100-foot tri
leaves to attempt the same record. He was to leave at almost the same time
as Joyon, but found a hydraulic leak that needed to be repaired. He is waiting
for a weather window. His website is: www.sodebo-voile.com; Joyon’s is:
www.trimaran-idec.com