Well, Francis Joyon may have just lost his most prized solo sailing record to L’ Petit Anglais, but he’s not sitting around crying in his Perrier. Instead, he’s fixing his aging, 90-foot trimaran up, and heading to New York for a crack at the 10-year old transatlantic record.
“I shall be on stand-by in New York from early April, waiting for a window in the weather to set sail on an attempt at the Transatlantic crossing record from West to East. It’s a long-standing record, but is also the most difficult one to beat single-handed. It’s very enticing [TWC translation: “Thank God she didn’t nab this one, too”], and this route will also perhaps allow me to tackle the 24-hour solo record,” Joyon said. “Ellen MacArthur has just finished a rapid round the world voyage, and in fact, I thought she would improve on the 24-hour record. In spite of her success, that wasn’t the case [TWC translation: “See, she’s not Superwoman..”], which just goes to show that it’s not going to be an easy matter.”
Here are the numbers in play:
• New York – The Lizard route (theoretical distance calculated by the WSSRC): 2925 miles (5417 km)
• Single-handed record: Laurent Bourgnon, Primagaz, 7 days 2 hours 34 minutes 42 seconds (June 1994)
• 24 hour solo record: Laurent Bourgnon, Primagaz, 540 miles (June 1994)
Ellen has targeted this record also. It would be great if she and Joyon could set off together, but it seems unlikely she could get to New York in time (plus, I suspect she needs just a wee rest). So we have the possibility of deja vu all over again. Joyon breaks a major record. Ellen follows and steals the glory. It’s a cruel, cruel sport…
Jittery Joyon: “If I nail this one and she only lets me enjoy it for a few months I’m going to take up farming…”
The Earthist Chronicles 