Joyon Arrives Brest to Hero Welcome

by Sail-World Cruising on 21 Jan 2008 With flares in hand aboard his reborn IDEC trimaran, Francis Joyon sailed into the port of Brest, France this morning and set a new solo round the world sailing record of 57 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes and 6 seconds. Well wishers who gathered to celebrate Joyon's achievement included previous record holder, Ellen MacArthur herself.

Both world-class sailors hold great admiration for one another, but it seems these two cannot let a record stand too long. In 2005, MacArthur bested Joyon's previous 2004 record (72 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes, 22 seconds) by more than a day when she reached the finish in 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds.

Joyon thought to himself, 'Something must be done.'

Something was. This time around, Joyon shattered MacArthur's record by 14 days after he blasted through 26,000 nautical miles averaging over 19 knots.

His goal was to come in under 70 days– instead, he beat 60 days..

It is a sweet victory. Those who follow solo sailing will remember the heartbreaking demise of IDEC's former incarnation when, after setting the round the world solo record the previous year, she smashed to pieces on the rocks off Penmarc’h Point in 2005.

Last summer, Joyon unveiled the new IDEC, at 98 feet, built for speed.

The record shattering journey was not without its problems – Joyon was forced to climb the mast several times, and towards the end of the journey a shroud threatened to give way, which could have brought down the mast. Joyon was commenting on the rig 'looking weary' and said that by the end of the journey it was only performing at 85% of capacity.

Ellen MacArthur, who was in Brest to welcome her colleague, has not ruled out trying to reclaim the title of fastest-ever sailor to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation of the world just hours after Francis Joyon, of France, shattered her record.

MacArthur was in defiant mood after seeing her record smashed. She said that just hearing updates on the Frenchman's progress made her want to take to sea again. 'Records are set to be broken,' she said.

The 31-year-old from Derbyshire praised his efforts. 'I know it's been hard for him, that he's had to suffer,' MacArthur said. 'He took different options and benefitted from good weather down to the Horn. His boat is bigger so it's normal that he goes quicker but he deserves the record and I'm happy for him.'

Before Joyon had neared the record mark, the magnanimous MacArthur admitted that she had been keeping her fingers crossed for him. 'Above all, I'm extremely happy for him, what he's done so far is simply incredible, and I've been following his journey everyday, talking to him on a couple of occasions,' she said.

MacArthur is unlikely to attempt to break the record in the next year because of her commitment to other projects.

In the meantime, congratulations had started pouring in for Joyon, who's journey had been watched intensely by the world of sailing. The Aviva Team had already posted their congratulations on their website: 'On behalf of Dee and all the team we would like to congratulate Francis Joyon on IDEC for a fantastic yachting achievement. A remarkable voyage around the globe that we are sure will stand for a long time.'
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