Maxi trimaran Banque Populaire VII, Armel le Cleac'h passes the Canary Islands and is ahead of reference time for the Discovery Route

From the following press release (in French) on the Banque Populaire sailing website:

http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/Armel-Le-Cleac-h/Armel-Le-Cleac-h-prend-le-large-9893.html#suite

and the rough bing translate below:

After now more than a day and a half of navigation, Armel Le Cléac ' h, aboard the Maxi Solo Bank Populaire VII, file at high speed in the direction of the Bahamas. Last night was not any rest for the skipper of the Bank of the sail but it has very well negotiated the first delicate passage, the Canary Islands. At 9 h 30 clock, it has more than 87.9 mile lead over the reference time set by Francis Joyon in February 2013 on the Route de la Découverte, crossed the Atlantic between Cádiz and the island of San El Salvador.

It is never easy to go in the middle of the Canary Islands, the wind is often very irregular and very present maritime traffic. But at the moment everything is smoothly as explains Ronan Lucas, Director of the Team Banque Populaire who joined Armel by phone this morning: «» Armel is shaped and the boat also! We knew that this passage in the Canary Islands would be one of the most delicate moments of the course and we were not wrong. The wind was very irregular, Armel met with winds gusting up to 40 knots and had to maneuver a good part of the night. He took a second reef in the mainsail for more cautiously. He crossed Gran Canaria starboard * around 4:30 in the morning and then it gybed towards San El Salvador. Now it is left for a long starboard tack tack several days but we are really relieved that within 24 hours when it will be definitely out of this delicate area. It should still extend his lead in the coming hours if everything goes well. »

Spindrift Racing, Discovery Route Cadiz to San Salvador ratified by the WSSRC

The new record for the Cadiz to San Salvador (Discovery Route) by the Spindrift Racing on the maxi trimaran Spindrift 2 has been ratified by the WSSRC

 

Record: Cadiz to San Salvador

 

Yacht: Spindrift 2. 131 ft Maxi Tri

Name:  Dona Bertarelli SWI and Yann Guichard FRA, and 12 crew.

Dates:. 30th October to the 6th November 2013

Start time: 15;19;34 on 30/10/13

Finish time: 05;48;55 on 06/11/13

Elapsed time: 6 days 14 hours 29 minutes and 21 seconds

Distance: 3884 nm

Average speed: 24.50 kts

Comments: Previous record: Groupama 3. Franck Cammas FRA. May 2007 7d 10h 58m 53s

 

John Reed

Secretary to the WSSR Council

Spindrift Racing, maxi trimaran Spindrift 2 sets a new record on the Discovery Route (Cadiz to San Salvador)

From the following update on the Spindrift Racing website:

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/2013/11/finish-news-flash-a-new-record-for-spindrift-2/

Spindrift 2, Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard´s maxi trimaran, crossed the finish line at the end of the Discovery Route in San Salvador, Bahamas today, Wednesday November 6, 2013 at 00 hours, 48 minutes and 55 seconds, local time (05 hours, 48 minutes and 55 seconds GMT).

Covering the course in 6 days, 14 hours, 29 minutes and 21 seconds, Spindrift 2 has set a new record* for the 3,885-mile theoretical route at an average 24.5 knots to break the mark set by Frank Cammas on Groupama 3, by 20 hours, 29 minutes and 32 seconds. Spindrift 2 left Cadiz (Spain) last Wedneday, October 30 at 15:19:34 GMT (16:19:34 Local time).The total actual distance sailed by Spindrift 2 was 4,503 miles at an average 28.4 knots.

read more here

Spindrift Racing, Video from day 6 of the Discovery route record attempt on maxi trimaran Spindrift 2

and a press release from Spindrift Racing on Day 6 of the record attempt:

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/2013/11/francais-jour-6-coup-de-frein-et-tapis-roulant/

Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard’s maxi trimaran Spindrift 2 last night endured the slowest, most complicated and most stressful phase of the Discovery Route record attempt since leaving Cadiz last Thursday, October 31st.

 

In its sixth day of the race, and following the planned course, the world’s largest racing trimaran had to deal with rough seas between the two weather systems. All the crew had a rough ride with often violent storms bringing exhausting wind conditions.  The squalls meant the wind would leave them flying or at a complete standstill. Finding the right sail plan in these brutally changing conditions proved to be a real conundrum that had the entire crew focused and responsive all night. 

 

read more here

Spindrift Racing update, maxi trimaran Spindrift 2 less than a 1000 miles to go on Discovery Route and well ahead of record time

From the following press release on the Spindrift Racing website:

 

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/fr/2013/11/francais-jour-5-spindrift-2-sous-les-1000/

 

On the fifth day of racing, Spindrift 2 has broken the barrier of the final 1,000 miles of what is a theoretical total course of 3,384 miles from Cadiz. The long tacks in the trade winds actually means that Dona and Yann’s Maxi Tri has clocked up 3,350 nm at the breath-taking average speed of 29.9 knots, that is 25.7 knots on the theoretical direct course. Suffice to say that the first two thirds of the route, in an almost ideal scenario of strong north easterly winds, enabled the largest trimaran in the world and its crew of 13 men and 1 woman to unleash its full potential.

 

Dona and her 13 sailors crew have had a pretty good ride so far, but a highly strategic phase will start today in wind conditions that are expected to decrease. It is the end of the fast, 40 knots on the speedometer, reaching conditions. It will come down to positioning ourselves in the right place to get across the area of light pressure, an area of transition between two weather systems, to reach the strong winds along the north American coast.

 

read more here

The position tracker is here

Spindrift Racing, Spindrift 2 maxi trimaran video of Day 5 of the Discovery Route record attempt

Spindrift Racing, update from Day 3 of the Discovery route record attempt from onboard maxi trimaran Spindrift 2

From the following update from the Spindrift Racing website:

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/2013/11/day-3-readjustments/

Following three days of exhilarating racing, Spindrift 2 is due to be on the theoretical mid-point of the Discovery Route. The lead over the record time set in 2007 by the maxi trimaran Groupama 3 increased last night to over 280 miles. Today the lead has gone down to under 230 miles due to the extra tacks and manoevuers carried out by Dona Bertarelli, Yann Guichard and the crew of 12. “The aim is to sail as close to the wind as possible, in order to avoid getting too close to the centre of the high-pressure area where the winds are lighter”, Yann Guichard said. Spindrift 2 opts for sailing at a 90 ° angle to the course to plunge into the strong north-easterly flow blowing in the direction of the West Indies. “It’s always a little frustrating not to sail the direct course but that’s part of the game. We have a small lead that allows us this luxury. These readjustments are needed in order to skilfully negotiate the trade winds. After a few hours of sailing a straight course south, we will once again head west. We have made good progress since the Canaries, close to the optimal course, and we will certainly follow this course at least once more after sailing on a starboard tack, which we will be doing shortly. “

read more here

Spindrift Racing, Day 2 of the Discovery route record attempt maxi trimaran Spindrift 2 now sailing in the trade winds well ahead of Groupama3's reference time

From the following report on the Spindrift Racing website:

 

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/2013/11/francais-jour-2-lautoroute-des-alizes/

 

Having reached the island of Gran Canaria yesterday at 6pm – a required point of passage to be left to starboard – the Maxi Trimaran 2 Spindrift now races along the tadewind highway, with a strong northeasterly wind to propel them across the West Atlantic. Dona Bertarelli, Yann Guichard and their crew of 12 are swallowing up the miles. A second day of good results and high speeds follows the first 24 hours of rough seas and three highly strategic gybes that produced a 642 miles day. With a good VMG, velocity made good, and average speeds of over 30 knots, Spindrift 2 has covered over a third of the course, 2,880 miles in just 48 hours.

 

Spindrift 2’s theoretical advance on the current record holder of the Discovery Route (Franck Cammas and Groupama 3 in 2007) continues to stretch (232 miles this morning) under the combined effect of greater speed and a more direct route than that chosen by Groupama 3. According to estimates looked at before the start by Spindrift 2’s skippers and crew, assisted by weather router ashore Richard Silvani, the first two days in the Atlantic are conducive to the highest performance and a substantial gain on the record, with the trade winds slightly unstable in direction, but still blowing strong at over 25 knots.

 

read more here

Day 2 onboard maxi trimaran Spindrift 2 on the Discovery route record attempt

Spindrift Racing, maxi trimaran Spindrift 2 departs on Discovery Route record attempt Cadiz to San Salvador

From the following press release on the Spindrift Racing website:

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/2013/10/top-depart/

Spindrift 2 on the Discovery Route
- Favourable weather window
- Good trade winds and area of transition to negotiate

Spindrift 2 – the world’s largest racing trimaran – crossed the start line on the Discovery Route on Wednesday October 30th at 15 hours, 19 minutes, 34 seconds GMT (16 hours, 19 minutes, 34 seconds French time) on a bid to beat the record between Cadiz – San Salvador in the Bahamas, via the Canaries, set in 2007 by Franck Cammas and the maxi trimaran Groupama 3. Dona Bertarelli, Yann Guichard and the twelve crew members must cross the finish line in under Thursday November 07th, 02 hours, 17 minutes, and 27 seconds (03 hours, 17 minutes, 27 seconds French time) to beat the current record of 7 days, 10 hours, 58 minutes and 53 seconds (21.70 knots of average speed). Following four months of preparations, the Spindrift racing team enter a new phase in the project that was set out by both Dona and Yann. The Discovery Route is indeed a first for the trimaran in terms of races and a first transatlantic adventure for Dona Bertarelli. The Swiss sailor, surrounded by a high-flying team that combines both youth and experience, should benefit from the good weather window.

read more here

and the tracker for the attempt is here

http://spindrift2-decouverte.addviso.org/en

Spindrift Racing, maxi trimaran Spindrift 2 prepares to depart with favourable weather window to challenge Discovery Route record

From the following press release on the Spindrift Racing website:

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/2013/10/francais-route-de-la-decouverte-spindrift-2-sur-le-depart/

Spindrift 2, the world’s largest racing trimaran, and its 14-strong crew, led by Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard, can at last foresee a weather window within the next 24 hours which could launch their attempt to beat the record set between Cadiz and San Salvador (Bahamas). Spindrift 2 has been on standby in Portimao, southern Portugal, since 7 October, waiting to attack the record set by the maxi trimaran Groupama in 2007. The large black and white trimaran is hoping to cross the start line in the bay of Cadiz on Tuesday 29 October around 12:00 GMT.

The three weeks enforced “standby” in Portimao was partly because of the significant collapse of the Azores high-pressure system and the continuous chain of active low-pressure systems hitting the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula.  The high pressure is finally gathering strength and generating sustained North-Easterly winds ideal for the first stage of the crossing towards the Canary Islands.  “This means the trade winds are picking up again,” explains Richard Silvani from Météo France, weather analysis and routing partner to Spindrift 2 on her first great transatlantic challenge. “The Azores high pressure system is moving into the ideal position for Spindrift 2,” he says.

read more here

Spindrift Racing release video discussing the roles of shore crew and standby preparations for the Discovery Route record attempt

Maxi Trimaran Spindrift 2 on standby for record attempt on the Discovery Route Cadiz to San Salvador

From the following press release on the Spindrift Racing website:

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/2013/10/route-of-discovery-spindrift-2-on-standby-in-portimao/

The maxi trimaran Spindrift 2 has arrived in Portimao, southern Portugal, where Dona Bertarelli, Yann Guichard and their crew of 12 will begin a standby, waiting for an “auspicious” weather window to attempt to beat the Route of Discovery record between Cadiz and San Salvador in the Bahamas. With autumn advancing, the ideal trade wind conditions in the southern Azores are becoming rarer. Richard Silvani, the Météo France meteorologist and advisor for the greatest records, will increase the frequency of his exchanges with Guichard and Erwan Israel and analyse the forecasts to find the most positive parameters which will trigger the attempt. “We are ready for every window which can be found in the next few days,” Guichard says.

read more here

Maxi Spindrift 2, photo courtesy John Cadwallader

Maxi trimaran Spindrift2 to attempt to break the crewed multihull record on the Discovery Route

From the following press release on the Spindrift Racing website:

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/2013/09/spindrift2-pursue-discovery/

Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard will continue their preparation on board the maxi trimaran Spindrift 2 this week off the coast of Brittany. A long training session, which should culminate with a round trip to the Azores, begins today in race trim, with the team. With that under their belt, the plan to sail increasingly in ocean conditions will see the team deliver the maxi to Portimao in Portugal at the end of September. From there the intention is to attempt to beat the record time for The Discovery Route between Cadiz and San Salvador in the Bahamas (7 days 10 hours 58 minutes and 53 seconds).

read more here

Francis Joyon, new record for the Cadiz - San Salvador Route ratified by the WSSRC

Francis Joyon's new record for the Cadiz - San Salvador Discovery Route officially ratified by the WSSRC

The WSSR Council announces the establishment of a new World Record.
Record: Singlehanded Cadiz to San Salvador
Yacht: "IDEC" 98ft Trimaran
Name: Francis Joyon. FRA
Dates:. 6th to the 15th February 2013
Start time: 12;50;25 UTC on 06/02/13
Finish time: 04;57;30 UTC on 15/02/13
Elapsed time: 8days 16 hours 7 minutes and 5 seconds
Distance: 3884M
Average speed: 18.66 kts
Comments: Previous Record: "IDEC". Francis Joyon FRA. Nov 04. 11d 3h 17m 20s
John Reed
Secretary to the WSSR Council

Francis Joyon on setting the new record time on the Trans Atlantic Discovery Route

From the following bymnews.com article

http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=114995

Columbus Route Record: Joyon does better than Joyon

 

Saturday, 16 February 2013

It was in the middle of the night in the Caribbean, in the warmth and total darkness of Columbus Island in the Bahamas where Christopher Columbus also went ashore back in 1492 that the red trimaran IDEC arrived after an incredible dash across the Atlantic ending with a new record time for a solo sailor on a multihull. Francis Joyon has once again left his mark on solo sailing with his unique approach and his own particular way of sailing on the high seas.

Setting out from la Trinité sur Mer in Brittany on 4th February, Francis hardly had time to drop off his companion for the delivery trip in the Bay of Cadiz, before getting underway on the Columbus Route early on the afternoon of Wednesday 6th February. No stand-by, no router on dry land… The Joyon of 2013 was about to tackle the Joyon of 2008 without any protection or back-up. What he achieved was another amazing feat knocking an astonishing one day and four hours off his previous time. There were no champagne celebrations or prize ceremonies in San Salvador; once he had validated his race time with the official representative of the World Speed Sailing Record Council, Francis hoisted his sail, trimmed his gennaker and set off again, all alone to make his way to the French West Indies, where he will moor up.

 

read more here

Francis Joyon interview after the completion of the Discovery Route in record time

Audio interview with Francis Joyon it's in French and a bit beyond my schoolboy French language ability to translate (I'm working on it) but I post it for our French speaking readers to enjoy.  We know you are out there thanks to Google stats and hope you enjoy the interview.  I'll add a transcript of the interview in English to this post if I find one at at a later date. 

https://soundcloud.com/#francisjoyon/francisjoyon_arrivee_record

Francis Joyon sets new record time on the maxi trimaran IDEC on the Discovery Route (Cadiz to San Salvador)

The new record time set for the Discovery Route by Francis Joyon

Running time: 8 days 16 hours 7 minutes and 5 seconds.
Improved record by 1 day 4 hours 27 minutes and 58 seconds.
Circle distance : 3 885 • speed average : 18.66 knots
Distance: 4379 miles • Average speed: 21.04 knots

And a new article on the IDEC website:

http://www.trimaran-idec.com/actualite_article.asp?id=216

The google translate of the article

Friday, February 15, 2013

Francis Joyon, skipper of the maxi trimaran IDEC, crossed the finish line of the Route Discovery in San Salvador in the Bahamas, today Friday, February 15, 2013 à 4:00, 57 minutes, 30 seconds UT, or 5:00 , 57 minutes, 30 seconds French time.

With a running time of 8 days, 16 hours, 07 minutes, 05 seconds , Francis Joyon improved by more than 1 day and 04 hours time of its own in 2008 (9 days 20 h 35 min). 3884000 On the great circle, the theoretical route, and it raises the average 18.66 knots. (4 distance traveled 379.5 miles to the average of 21.04 knots)

Francis Joyon had left Cadiz (Spain) 12 hours, 50 minutes and 25 seconds TU Wednesday, February 6. It improves its previous record of 1 day, 04 hours, 27 minutes and 58 seconds. He also becomes the first sailor to get this Record of Discovery Route below 9 days.

Outstanding performance when we know that Francis Joyon has assured itself its strategy weather at sea, without routing, so without any outside help. A real challenge on this Route Discovery whose peculiarity is that we deal with multiple weather systems.

Next challenge Francis Joyon onboard IDEC: an attempt against the record of the North Atlantic between New York and Lizard. Standby expected next spring.