45 Days: The Router

The Jules Verne Trophy is a prize for the fastest circumnavigation of the world by any type of yacht with no restrictions on the size of the crew. No limits, just go for it…exactly what Francis Joyon (FRA) had planned to do when he and crew set off to break the record of 45 days 13 hours 42 minutes 53 seconds.

This is Episode 8 of a web series that will follow Joyon’s effort, producing 30 episodes from the start and every 2 days, sharing the adventures of the maxi-trimaran IDEC SPORT with its crew of 6 men. The team crossed the Ushant start line early Sunday, November 22.

Helping to guide IDEC SPORT is Marcel Van Triest, the team’s onshore router. “During these 45 days, I monitor the progress of the boat every hour, so I never sleep more than an hour.” Marcel describes his role in this episode.

Joyon is skippering the 31.5m VPLP-designed IDEC SPORT, which was launched in 2006 as Groupama 3 and later rebranded as Banque Populaire 7 and most recently as Lending Club 2. The boat previously set the Jules Verne record in 2010 with Franck Cammas at 48d 7h 44m 52s.

Published on December 3, 2015.