The IDEC Sport trimaran sold to the Chinese sailor Guo Chuan
by Mer et Media on 19 Mar 2015
IDEC Sport Francois Van Malleghem / DPPI / IDEC
A new chapter opens for Francis Joyon with the sale of his legendary trimaran, aboard which he smashed the major solo records, including the round the world record, for which he set a new time of 57 days. Launched in 2007, IDEC Sport is said to be simple, reliable and a good performer. She will now continue her career in the hands of the Chinese skipper, Guo Chuan, who up until now has been known for his successes on monohulls.
The round the world, the North Atlantic and the Columbus Route records as well as the 24-hour record. All these solo ocean records were smashed by Francis Joyon at the helm of the maxi trimaran, IDEC Sport. Even now, two of these remain the reference times and they are the two big ones. The round the world record (57 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes and six seconds) and the North Atlantic record (five days, two hours, 56 minutes and ten seconds). IDEC Sport, a real record hunter, has also done well in various races in the expert hands of Francis, taking second place, for example, in the legendary Route du Rhum in 2010. At her launch in Lorient on 19th June 2007, the big red trimaran immediately gave the impression that she was strong, simple and efficient. Over the past seven years or so, Joyon has constantly updated her, improving still further her performance, without taking anything away from the guiding principles behind her conception.
New adventures
We can easily understand that it was an emotional moment for Francis Joyon, when he handed over the helm of IDEC Sport to Guo Chuan. The fifty-year old is holder of the solo Class 40 round the world record, which he completed aboard his 40-foot monohull sailing from Qingdao to Qingdao (with a time of 137 days, 20 hours, one minute and 57 seconds). The first Chinese sailor to complete a solo round the world voyage, Guo Chuan also achieved some other remarkable feats for someone from China, completing the Volvo Ocean Race (the crewed round the world race with stopovers) in 2008-2009 and competing in the 2011 Mini Transat among others. 'I’m certain that the trimaran is in safe hands with Guo Chuan and wish him all the best for his forthcoming challenges,' commented Francis. This sale also marks a turning point for Patrice Lafargue, President of the IDEC Group. 'I’m very proud of the exceptional results achieved by Francis and together with all the staff, I’d like to congratulate him,' he declared. 'The IDEC Sport trimaran has left her mark on the Group and we are pleased that she will continue to sail with a new skipper.'
Rest assured, Francis Joyon will not hanging up his foulies. He will be presenting his next adventures on fourth June in Paris…
Reminder of the four major records smashed by Francis Joyon at the helm of IDEC Sport
- Round the world record: 57 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes and six seconds, February 2008
- 24-hour record: 666.2 miles sailed, July 2012
- Columbus Route record (Cadiz – San Salvador): Eight days, 16 hours, seven minutes and five seconds, February 2013
- North Atlantic record: five days, two hours, 56 minutes and ten seconds, June 2013
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