By the time you read these lines, the two crews will certainly have already set off, as they have been on stand-by since the end of October, waiting for the right weather window. For Spindrift 2 and Idec Sport, the aim is to take the Jules Verne Trophy, by sailing round the world, passing via the three Capes – Good Hope, Leeuwin and the Horn. There are only 6 crew aboard Idec Sport (former Groupama 3 and Banque Populaire VII – 31.5m long) skippered by Francis Joyon, the current holder of the singlehanded round the world record. Aboard Spindrift 2 (former Banque Populaire V – 40m) there will be 14 crew members, under the double captaincy of Yann Guichard and Dona Bertarelli.
The record still belongs to Loïck Peyron and his 13 crew members who, in January 2012, took 45 days, 13 hours, 42 minutes and 53 seconds to sail round the world aboard Banque Populaire V, at an average speed of 19.75 knots.
A record which will not be easy to break!
