Francis Joyon has set off on the Friendship Route between Bordeaux and Rio

The French sailor, Francis Joyon crossed the starting line of the Friendship Route in the Gironde Estuary aboard the IDEC maxi trimaran at 1433hrs UTC today (Tuesday 8th April 2014).

In a moderate Easterly wind, which is due to strengthen, Francis Joyon set out to tackle this brand new record between Bordeaux and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). He therefore doesn’t have any particular time to aim for, but is determined to set the best reference time possible on this voyage across the Atlantic in aid of charity. Joyon did not have to wait long to get underway: he only went on stand-by last Friday evening…

Francis Joyon, “It’s always exciting to open up a new route, particularly when it is in aid of a noble cause like the ICM. This transatlantic crossing is rather special due to its length and destination, as it resembles the start of a round the world voyage. What we’re trying to do here is to set an initial reference time and not to smash an existing record, but I saw for myself when I set off on the route to Mauritius that it is not always that simple. You still find yourself alone aboard a 30-metre long multihull, which is designed to be sailed quickly.”

In aid of the ICM
We should add that this new record between Bordeaux and Rio de Janeiro is designed to be a symbol of the friendship linking the two nations of France and Brazil. It brings together ambassadors from both countries, including personalities from the world of sport, the arts, as well as from business and the media. They are united to offer their support to various charity organizations, including the ICM, the Brain and Spinal Cord Institute.

For this brand new route involving sailing more than 4800 nautical miles (9000 km) across the Atlantic, the big red trimaran will be flying the Sail of Hope as a headsail. This was signed in France and will shortly be signed in Brazil by all of the ambassadors from both nations that have come together around this project. This sail will later be auctioned at the end of 2014 at a special gala event in Paris. All of the proceeds will be handed over to charities and to the Brain and Spinal Cord Institute.

Reminder:
Francis Joyon was the first sailor to win the Ultimate Trophy. He is the only one to have held the following four records at the same time:

- Round the world record: 57 days 13 hours 34 minutes and 6 seconds, February 2008 (still the record today)

- North Atlantic record: 5 days, 2 hours, 56 minutes and 10 seconds, June 2013 (still the record today)

- 24-hour distance record: 666.2 miles sailed in July 2012

- Columbus Route record (Cadiz – Sans Salvador): 8 days 16 hours 7 minutes and 5 seconds, February 2013

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