Francis Joyon to go on standby for the solo New York to Lizard Transat record from May 15

The press release from the IDEC team (in French) is available at the following link

http://www.trimaran-idec.com/actualite_article.asp?id=221

Here is the rough Google translate:

Friday, April 26, 2013
Francis Joyon is leaving. In a few days, he will address the prestigious record of the North Atlantic. Success would make him the first marine world winning an incredible "Grand Slam" of records. Start the stand-by in New York from May 15 Yesterday evening the skipper Locmariaquer was in Paris for a great evening presentation at Pershing Hall in the presence of three of the four holders of record solo Atlantic Florence Arthaud, Thomas Coville and Bruno Peyron, current record holder which will be addressed shortly skipper IDEC.
FRANCIS Joyon THE ASSAULT OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC © Aurimages / IDEC GroupFlorence Arthaud, Francis Joyon, Patrice Lafargue, Thomas Coville and Bruno Peyron
 Hold 21 knots average for less than 5 days, 19 hours and 29 minutes. Alone. On the demanding North Atlantic. That's the challenge with the high bar set by Thomas Coville in July 2008. This mathematical data of the complex problem that will arise Francis Joyon, between the Statue of Liberty and the English Cornwall. To be precise between Ambrose Light in New York and that the Lizard in the south of England.The sailors who may have this ambition can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Francis Joyon is one of them. The IDEC driver already holds the same record, in July 2006 (6 days and 4 hours), when he sprayed one day a time established eleven years ago by Laurent Bourgnon.
 5 nautical only!There are only sailing stars in the very small number of those who have dared to challenge alone, on multihulls, the North Atlantic listing all hazards. They can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Although more people have walked on the moon! The names of the woman and four men flapping in the wind as five exceptional sailors who forged the imagination of all: Bruno Peyron, Florence Arthaud, Laurent Bourgnon, Thomas Coville, Francis Joyon.In twenty-six years, from 1987 to the present day, only six attempts were successful. Bruno Peyron has won twice, in 1987 and 1992. Francis Joyon If successful, it would become the second two-time winner of the North Atlantic. It is also the only sailor to claim the Grand Slam absolute record since the driver of the maxi-trimaran IDEC is already the fastest solo sailor around the world (57 days 13h), the fastest of 24 h (668 miles or 27.83 knots average) and the fastest on the Atlantic from east to west, namely the Discovery Route, between Cadiz and San Salvador, he sprayed record this winter and 8 days 16 h.
 108 years after Charlie BarrThe North Atlantic ... its mysterious mists, its whales and the famous single or almost that needs surf at full speed between the New World and the Old Continent depression ... so here's the ultimate challenge to access this unique status.Francis Joyon, who has already won this clock in 2005 aboard the first trimaran IDEC is well aware of tackling a real maritime myth. He commented: "If we put notes to records according to their importance, I would say the most important is the World Tour. The North Atlantic is the number two because of its long history related to the schooner Atlantic Charlie Barr and his crew of 50 men who inaugurated the year 1905, and then to Eric Tabarly was the first to resume still crew, 75 years later. The solitaire version belonged to me a few years ago, it was taken over by Thomas (Coville) ... and so it falls to me to take it again! "Simple like Joyon on that do not count to give in easily. "The average holding is approaching 21 knots. So have a good weather is essential, but should not be either drop regime. Should be thoroughly all the time for 5 and a half days ..." A board a multihull 30 meters at full speed, the exercise is not within the reach of anybody. It is not also perhaps a coincidence that the few sailors to have held the famous record were present in Paris on Thursday, April 25 with Francis Joyon for presenting this event. Only they know ...
 They said
Patrice LafargueChairman of the IDEC Group"Francis Joyon IDEC supports for over a decade now. We are proud to support one of the greatest sailors of the planet in its hunting records, Francis gave us so much emotion around the world and in all oceans With ... this attempt on the record of the North Atlantic, it is a new challenge that we propose. course we are wholeheartedly with him and fingers crossed for it to succeed this Grand Slam that person has passed before him. Beyond the sporting aspect, exciting, this is a man with whom the IDEC Group shared values ​​of innovation, competition, respect for the environment ... Good luck Francis! "
Bruno PeyronSolitary inventor of record in 1987 (11 days and 11)Winner again in 1992 (in 9 days and 21h)catamaran Explorer"This record is a true success story: it combines a mythical journey, recalling illustrious ancestors as Charlie Barr ... and requires total commitment Initially, in 1987 I wanted to start this record with a simple idea. Beat the clock in solitary history of Charlie Barr and his crew of fifty men. since the bar is mounted and the record of the North Atlantic has become the second largest in the world after the Tour chrono. On the first, in 1987, all the ingredients gathered for a great story, simple and effective We left New York in fratricidal duel:. Loick with Lada Poch against me on Explorer I keep a memory of pleasure mingled, commitment and a rare arrival on asphyxiated. the English coast, to redo around Land's end to cut the line. From second solo record, I have a less playful memory because lack of resources the boat was almost abandoned in an old shipyard in Newport. J ' had bought in Florence (Arthaud) a big old sail that was too small. Initially, I got a storm off anthology of New York that I saw in the lightning. Secondly, the weather was suitable and I made the crossing being a conservative suspicion ... But the story was launched and I knew others would with sharper weapons and unfailing determination. The main difficulty is to find the perfect weather window, c ' is to say one that can cross with a single pressure system, with the potential of current machines. To be honest ... I would go back! I love this course where the commitment is total. This is probably even the only one with sails adapted, could lead alone my catamaran 120 feet to 90% of its potential. "
Florence ArthaudWinner of the record in 1990 (9 days, 21h 42m)Pierre first trimaran"I keep a wonderful memory of this record, including my arrival in Brest, where I was greeted by thousands of cut flowers thrown on my boat which was found covered with roses ... It was beautiful. Especially as I had a difficult end of the course because I had a concern about the headsail and there was more wind: sailing under mainsail alone and wind is not ideal when you want to go as soon as possible! Leaving New York is fabulous, I made that record the return of Two Star to train for the Route du Rhum and it has served me well! The problem is that I don ' did not have much time to choose the best time to time, then wait the ideal window is a key to success with having boats that go fast enough to stay ahead of the depression. I remember to Newfoundland I thought it would not happen ... and then it happened. I also remember that this is one of the few courses where I have not had any problems with my autopilot. Records are made to be broken ... and that Francis deserves to beat this one too ... "
Thomas CovilleRecord holder in 5 days 19 hours 29 minutes and 20 seconds on the trimaran Sodebo"I made a first attempt without success from New York is something loudly. It is a very special feeling to be at the heart of this megalopolis at the foot of Manhattan ... and a few minutes later to . to be alone on your big boat with the entire ocean front bows The transition is very sudden I remember I put a lot of pressure:. ago traffic, fog, whales, sometimes even ice ! The beginning is difficult, complicated and sometimes dangerous when you do not even see the bow of the boat and you feel fishermen around. then it's a real tussle trying to stay ahead of the depression ... and standoff that lasts four days the boat fuse crosswind, it is not constrained by the sea is unique as it ... In the end, finally, it must almost fall on the line, looking down after one or gybes in the small time as a little soft or downwind often ends up in the wind. should have kept a little energy for that and it is not the easiest. Moi j ' had gone to Northern Ireland before jibe! "