Jules Verne Trophy – Calming things down in the Pacific

by IDEC Sport Sailing on 8 Jan 2017 At the start of the 24th day of racing in the remote part of the South Pacific, IDEC Sport has managed to slide under a low and is advancing in a NW’ly breeze blowing at around fifteen knots in calmer seas. While Francis Joyon and his men have slowed down , the pace is still good as they chase after the Jules Verne Trophy.

“There are several weather hurdles ahead of us,” declared the skipper of the red and grey maxi-trimaran. “The high isn’t too much of a problem as we can get around the south. We won’t be that fast, but will get by. It’s closer to the Horn that we risk finding ourselves without any wind.”

There has been a slight slow down today, which is a welcome break for the six men on IDEC Sport, as they make their way towards the Horn, which is around 2000 miles ahead. Because of the weather uncertainties, Francis is unable to give an ETA for the third major cape, but for now he is 1185 miles ahead of the record set by Banque Populaire V.

“We’re still feeling positive as we approach Cape Horn, which offers us a lot of hope, as we should be well within the record when we round it,” he added as the trimaran continues through the fog and relatively mild weather in the South Pacific at 58°S.