The Famous Project CIC - the first all-female crew to circumnavigate the globe non-stop
by SeaClear Communications 29 Jan 15:10 UTC
Arrival of Alexia Barrier and his crew of The Famous Project CIC Dee Caffari, Annemieke Bes, Rebecca Gmür Hornell, Deborah Blair, Molly LaPointe, Támara Echegoyen, and Stacey Jackson © Lloyd Images
The Famous Project CIC is a remarkable team of eight sailors from around the globe, including skipper Alexia Barrier (France), Dee Caffari (United Kingdom), Annemieke Bes (The Netherlands), Rebecca Gmür Hornell (Switzerland and New Zealand), Deborah Blair (United Kingdom), Molly LaPointe, (USA and Italy) Támara Echegoyen (Spain), and Stacey Jackson (Australia).
They crossed the finish line of the Jules Verne Trophy near Brest, France, on January 26th, completing their journey 57 days after departure. This historic achievement makes them the first all-female crew to circumnavigate the globe nonstop on a trimaran.
Key Statistics from The Famous Project CIC:
- Start Date and Time: 29/11/2025 13:40:00 UTC
- Finish Date and Time: 26/01/2026 11:00:00 UTC
- Total Time: 57 days 21 hours 20 minutes 00 seconds
- Record to beat: 40d 23h 30min 30s
- Difference: +16d 21h 49min 30s
- Course distance: 22,461nm
- Actual distance covered: 28,458nm average speed 20.5 kts
- Best 24hr distance: 674.76nm
- Best average speed over 24hrs: 28.11 kts
Alexia Barrier (French, 46 years old):
"It's a great pride and a huge relief. The last few days have been very complicated with the weather and breakdowns, so reaching here is truly incredible. I am so proud of us and our progress. The most beautiful thing is seeing the strength of the collective and how we have taken care of each other. Between Deborah Blair, the youngest (23 years old), who had never crossed the equator, and Dee Caffari (53 years old), the 'madam' with her seven trips around the world, we've formed a wonderful team and have learned so much. We took on a giant challenge. No one could have imagined what would happen. We approached it with recklessness, determination, and especially with fierce passion. Setting off to circumnavigate the globe in a multihull was daring, but I am happy to know that we are now part of the giants."
Full Interview with Alexia
Dee Caffari (British, 57 years old):
"After 57 days at sea, we are lucky to be back here in Brest, with all the spectators present and everyone who supported us. Of course, there were eight of us on board, but this achievement is also shared with all those who accompanied us on this incredible adventure. Thank you to those who encouraged us around the world. The fact that Thomas Coville and Benjamin Schwartz presented us with a bouquet of flowers on the pontoon is very symbolic. They accomplished an extraordinary feat, but we certainly haven't said our final word (laughs)! In any case, what we've just accomplished lays the foundations to build the future."
Full interview with Dee
Deborah Blair (British, 23 years old):
"Like all of us, I am super happy to see my loved ones again. My boyfriend and parents came here; they were already here at the start. We shared wonderful moments on board, moments of intense joy. I think of the 'Secret Santa' we did at Christmas and our small gathering to celebrate the New Year... It was lovely, but I still plan to celebrate Christmas again with my loved ones as soon as I return to England!"
Full Interview with Deborah
Stacey Jackson (Australian, 41 years old):
"It was quite the challenge; we faced everything one could encounter in this kind of ordeal. The most difficult part is managing to bring the boat back without damaging anything. I am very happy with this adventure. In 57 days, you inevitably have difficult days, but what matters is remembering why we are here, why we are fighting. And in the end, it's just incredible to celebrate it. I'm lucky that my boyfriend came from Sydney. He crossed the world to be with me!"
Full interview with Stacey
Molly Lapointe (Americano-Italian, 28 years old):
"It's a joy to see land and breathe again! Of course, it was long, and it wasn't easy every day, so it feels good to be back! The last few days, the conditions on board were really tough, and the worst part is that it continued even after we crossed the finish line! But now, that's behind us. We will be able to take a shower and sleep in a bed, so all is good!"
Full Interview with Molly
Annemieke Bes (Dutch, 47 years old):
"I believe the moment I am most proud of is the one we are experiencing today. Being here with the entire team and feeling this happy is fantastic. We have gone through tough moments, ups and downs, and there were times we doubted, times we thought we would never make it. But with determination, we succeeded, we finished, and I am very happy about it."
Full interview with Annemieke
Rebecca Gmuer (Swiss-New Zealander, 25 years old):
"I am really very proud of us, of what we've done, and of knowing that we have managed to return to Brest. There were tough moments, and we faced things that were not easy to handle. Yet, we always managed to stay united in both good and bad times and to move forward together, come what may. Now we can enjoy!
Full Interview with Rebecca
Tamara Echegoyen (Spanish, 41 years old):
"I feel a lot of happiness finishing this round-the-world trip and this incredible adventure with this beautiful team. It means a lot to me to deeply thank Alexia (Barrier). She was the one who had the idea for this project, who brought us together, who believed in it, and who enabled us to see it through. She turned this dream into reality, and I will always be grateful to her!"
Full interview with Tamara
Quotes from partners of The Famous Project CIC:
Daniel Baal, President of CIC: "They did it! For the first time, a crew consisting entirely of women has set a reference time for sailing around the world non-stop on a maxi trimaran. On behalf of CIC, I would like to congratulate Alexia Barrier and her seven teammates from The Famous Project CIC, as well as the entire team that supported them. The challenge was significant, and it was met amidst adversity and against the elements. This round-the-world journey reveals the strength of a collective committed to performance, and it will surely be etched in history. The achievement of the eight women from The Famous Project CIC now serves as a marker for the necessary evolution of society, both in the sporting world and within the business sector."
Patrice Lafargue, President of GROUPE IDEC and IDEC SPORT: "Day after day, aboard the maxi trimaran, Alexia Barrier and her crew demonstrated that success fundamentally relies on the strength of the team and total commitment. Against all odds, they forged ahead with conviction and determination, never deviating from their course. Performance is not merely about speed; it is the ability to maintain a trajectory despite changes and challenges. Taming such a vessel is no easy feat. The miles covered and the difficulties faced have forged invaluable experience. Where many would have given up along the way, the eight sailors chose to persevere at any cost. They deserve our utmost congratulations. IDEC SPORT is proud to have supported Alexia Barrier's The Famous Project CIC in this exceptionally demanding challenge."
Eric Pasquier, Deputy General Manager of Sopra Steria: "The achievement of these eight sailors commands respect: facing the elements alone, day after day, in conditions that are hard to imagine from solid ground. Despite the accumulated setbacks and the necessity to make split-second decisions with everything at stake, they exhibited exceptional resilience and saw it through to the end. At Sopra Steria, we are very proud to have been by their side throughout this adventure, supporting them with our technologies and the enthusiasm of our 50,000 employees."
Amanda Mille, Director of Brand and Partnerships at Richard Mille: "This attempt at the Jules Verne Trophy was a remarkable achievement, both sporting and human. Despite the setbacks and challenging conditions, the crew went all the way with outstanding resilience, demonstrating that finishing under such circumstances is truly an accomplishment. We are proud of the feat accomplished by the women who remained committed until the very end."