2015 Jules Verne Trophy - IDEC Sport has crossed the Equator

by Fabrice Thomazeau on 28 Nov 2015 2015 Jules Verne Trophy - IDEC Sport crossed the Equator on Friday 27th November at 03:03:52 UTC. Francis Joyon and his crew of five took five days one hour and fifty-two seconds to sail from Ushant to the line separating the two hemispheres. They are more than half a day ahead of the record.

They have done it. After making their way through the Doldrums in around fifteen hours, IDEC Sport is already in the South Atlantic and in record time, as 13 hours 55 minutes and 18 seconds less than the reference time set by Loïck Peyron and his men in 2011 (five days, fourteen hours, fifty-five minutes and ten seconds).

More than / almost half a day ahead at this intermediate point, this is good news for Francis Joyon, Bernard Stamm (SUI), Gwénolé Gahinet (FRA), Alex Pella (ESP), Clément Surtel (FRA) and Boris Herrmann (GER). So far, their attempt to smash the Jules Verne Trophy Record has gone perfectly well.

In short

• At 1600hrs on Thursday 26th Novemeber, after four days and 14 hours at sea, IDEC Sport is accelerating again and sailing at 23.1 knots at 03°20 North and 27°52 West, in the middle of the Atlantic. Bearing: south (192°). Distance to the Equator: 200 miles. Lead over the record pace: 207.8 miles.
• The record between Ushant and the Equator – also held by Loïck Peyron and his men on Banque Populaire V since 27th November 2011 - 5 days, 14 hours, 55 minutes and 10 seconds.
• The crew: the international crew on IDEC SPORT includes just six men: Francis Joyon (FRA), Bernard Stamm (SUI), Gwénolé Gahinet (FRA), Alex Pella (ESP), Clément Surtel (FRA) and Boris Herrmann (GER)
• Start: IDEC Sport set off at 02:02:22 on Sunday 22nd November.
• The time to beat: Loïck Peyron and his crew (Banque Populaire) with a time of 45 days, 13 hours, 42 minutes and 53 seconds.
• Deadline: to smash the Jules Verne Trophy record, IDEC Sport has to be back across the line before 1544hrs on Wednesday 6th January.