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IDEC SPORT
Groupama 3 under sail.
Other namesGroupama 3
Banque Populaire VII
Lending Club 2
IDEC 3
Designer(s)VPLP
BuilderMultiplast (Vannes, France)
Launched7 June 2006
Owner(s)Groupama Sailing Team (2006–2013)
Banque Populaire (2013–2014)
Renaud Laplanche (2015)
IDEC (2015–)
Racing career
SkippersFranck Cammas ( (2006–2013))
Armel Le Cléac'h (2013)
Loïck Peyron (2014)
Renaud Laplanche (2015)
Francis Joyon (2015)
Notable victoriesJules Verne Trophy 2010
2010 Route du Rhum
2014 Route du Rhum
Jules Verne Trophy 2017
Route du Rhum 2018
Specifications
Displacement18 t (18 long tons; 20 short tons)
Length31.50 m (103.3 ft) (LOA)
Beam22.50 m (73.8 ft)
Draft5.70 m (18.7 ft)
Mast height41 m (135 ft)
Sail area828 m2 (8,910 sq ft)
Crew10
Groupama 3 in Saint-Malo, 2010

IDEC SPORT[1] (formerly Groupama 3, Banque Populaire VII, Lending Club 2, IDEC 3) is a racing sailing trimaran designed for transoceanic record-setting. She is one of the world's fastest ocean-going sailing vessels and the current holder of the Jules Verne Trophy for circumnavigation of the world. She was originally skippered by French yachtsman Franck Cammas, with a crew of ten and sponsored by the French insurance company Groupama. She is currently skippered by Françis Joyon.

Alexia Barrier has announced that she will skipper IDEC Sport in an attempt to break the circumnavigation record with an all-female crew in 2025.[2]

Design

[edit]

Groupama 3 was designed by VPLP, built by Multiplast in Vannes, France and launched in June 2006.[3]

Records

[edit]
Year Record Time Status Boat name Crew Notes Ref.
2017 WSSRC Round the World Record (Crewed) 40d 23h 30m 30s Current IDEC Sport
2010 WSSRC Round the World Record (Crewed) 48d 07h 44m 52s Superseded Grouparma 3
2017 Jules Verne Trophy 40d 23h 30m 30s IDEC Sport
2010 Jules Verne Trophy 48d 07h 44m 52s Grouparma 3
2018 Route du Rhum Course Record 07d 14h 21m 47s Francis Joyon
2009-05-16 Trans-Mediterranean (Marseille-Carthage), 00d 17h 08m 23s 458 miles @26.04 knots [4]
2007-06-04 Route of the discovery (Cadiz-San Salvador Island) 07d 10h 58m 53s 3884 Nm @21.7 knots. [4]
2007-06-04 Miami-New York, 01d 11h 05m 20s 947 miles@ 27 knots. [4]
2007 Transatlantic record (Ambrose Light to Ushant) 04d 03h 57m 54s Superseded with an average speed of 29.81 knots [4]
2007-07-20 Superseded - Crewed - 24 hour distance record 794 Nm during their transatlantic attempt [4]
2014-01-26 Single Person - 24 hour distance record 682,85 Nm (28.45 knots) Armel Le Cléac'h .[5]

Career

[edit]

2006-2014 Groupama 3

[edit]

Groupama 3 was launched on 7 June 2006. She was the transatlantic record holder between 2007 and 2009.

During a first attempt for the Jules Verne Trophy (circumnavigation of the world) in 2008, Groupama 3 capsized off the coast of New-Zealand.

She was repaired in France and went for another attempt in 2009. Damage to the port hull led to the attempt being called off after 11 days, and the boat limped into Cape Town for repairs. She then returned to France

Groupama 3 began her third attempt and on 31 January 2010. On 20 March 2010, she became the fastest boat to sail around the world and set a record of 48 days, 7 hours 44 minutes and 52 seconds, improving on Orange II's performance from 2005 by more than 2 days.[6] She lost the record on 7 January 2012, to Banque Populaire V, a larger trimaran.[7]

In 2010, she was retrofitted for single-handed racing to take part of the transatlantic race Route du Rhum. In November 2010, Groupama 3 won the French single-handed transatlantic race Route du Rhum (between Brittany and Guadeloupe), with Frank Cammas at the helm, in 9 days and 14 hours, averaging 16.14 knots.

2014-2014 Groupama 3

[edit]

She was sponsored by French bank Banque Populaire to take part of 2014 Route du Rhum, which she won with skipper Loïck Peyron. In November 2014, Banque Populaire VII won Route du Rhum again, with Loick Peyron, in 7 days and 15 hours, beating the record by 2 hours and 10 minutes.

2015 – present IDEC Sport

[edit]

In 2015, French yachtsman Francis Joyon's sponsor IDEC announced that they now financed the boat.[8] Under this new sponsorship the boat was leased for six months to Renaud Laplanche, the CEO of Lending Club. The boat was restored from her shortened-mast single-handed configuration to a full crew configuration and named Lending Club 2.[9] Lending Club 2 set a new cross Channel record and a new trans-Pacific record.[10]

In September 2015 the boat's sponsorship changed to the IDEC Sport. The team set a new circumnavigation record in 2017 and won back the Jules Verne Trophy with a time of 40 days 23 hours 30 minutes 30 seconds.[11]

2016 Jules Verne record
Francis Joyon takes possession of the former Groupama 3 on 2 October 2015, after three weeks of work at Multiplast, in Vannes.[12] He chooses an intermediate configuration between the initial power and a reduced rigging for solo races. Closer to the lightness and ergonomics sought alone, less versatile in particular in light winds, Joyon's choices will pay off during his two passages in the southern seas at the end of 2015 then at the end of 2016, with numerous records. With a crew reduced to six people, IDEC Sport presents itself as a challenger to beat the Jules-Verne Trophy,[13] owned by Loïck Peyron since 2011 in 45 days, 13 hours, 42 minutes and 53 seconds.

After an attempt in November 2016, with unfavorable weather in the doldrums and the South Atlantic, and a shock that slightly damaged her fin, Joyon set out again on 16 December 2016 to conquer the trophy. He arrived on 26 January 2017 with a new Around the world sailing record in 40 days 23 h 30 min 30 s.[14] During their 2016 attempt for the Jules-Verne Trophy, Francis Joyon and his crew [15] break numerous intermediate records: four have been formalized and are the subject of records duly certified by the WSSRC.[16]

They make a very fast crossing of the southern seas starting with the Indian Ocean,[15] covering 8091,73 miles in 10 days, maintaining an average of 809 miles per day. This episode began ahead of the front of a depression which moved at a speed corresponding to the boat's potential from South America to the Pacific Ocean. During 12 days, the wind remains port tack, blowing constantly at over 30 knots, an ideal configuration for speed records. Top speeds vary between 38 and 44 knots depending on the state of the sea. Due to bad seas, their speed dropped temporarily (29 knots and 700 miles / 24 h) before a new acceleration, pushing them back above the bar of 800 miles traveled daily.

After passing New Zealand and the Antimeridian, sailing port tack 205 degrees longitude (25 degrees West to Antimeridian) in the southern seas, Francis Joyon and his crew ended up jibing in the transition between two depressions, and manage to catch up with the weather system in front of them over the Pacific Ocean, setting off again at more than 30 knots daily average towards Cape Horn.

Francis Joyon rounds Cape Horn, 16 days after the beginning of this ride off of South America, and after a course of nearly 12,000 miles above 30 knots average (730,16 miles / 24 hours over 16 days). He then signs a performance increase of 30 to 40% compared to Loïck Peyron's record 5 years earlier. Leaving the southern seas with a lead of 4 days 06 hours 35 min over Loïck Peyron's previous record, Francis Joyon and his crew regained the equivalent of 2,800 miles on the record during this episode.

The weather conditions around the world allowed them to optimize the course: 26,412 miles covered on the ground, at an average of 26.85 knots, for a theoretical course of 22,461 miles. Banque Populaire V had to cover almost 2600 more miles in 2015 ( 29,002 miles)

Distance records broken during the 2016 campaign

[edit]

While the best day of Loïck Peyron's previous record was the only day above 800 miles from his record (811 miles over 24 hours, or 33.79 knots average), Francis Joyon maintains a speed above 800 daily miles for 10 consecutive days.

It thus improves a large number of progress records by a sailboat over a given period:

Skipper Reference start Distance

(miles)

speed

(knots)

speed

(miles/24 h)

Joyon best 24h december 29, 2016 894 37,3 894
best 48 h december 28, 2016 1 748,2 36,42 874,1
best 72 h 30 December 2016 2 617,7 36,36 872,57
best 4 days december 26, 2016 3 477,4 36,22 869,35
Joyon best 5 days december 27, 2016 4 312,57 35,94 862,51
best 6 days december 27, 2016 5 104,16 35,45 850,7
best 8 days december 26, 2016 6 525,14 33,99 815,64
best 10 days december 26, 2016 8 091,73 33,71 809,17
best 12 days december 26, 2016 9 369,03 32,53 780,75
Joyon best 16 days december 26, 2016 11 682,62 30,42 730,16

Other records broken during the 2016 campaign

[edit]
  • Boat record and the second longest distance covered by a sailboat in 24 hours with 894 miles.
  • 6 consecutive days at an average of 850.7 miles / 24 h (35.45 knots)
  • Ushant - Cape Leeuwin 17 d 06 h 59 min 45 (time of Loïck Peyron during the 2011 record: 17 d 23 h 57 min)
  • Ushant - Tasmania 18 d 18 h 31 min (time of Loïck Peyron during the 2011 record: 20 d 07 h 11 min)
  • Ushant - Antiméridien 20 d 07 h 01 (time of Loïck Peyron during the 2011 record: 22 d 11 h 34 min)
  • Ushant - Cape Horn: 26 d 15 h 45 min (time of Loïck Peyron during the 2011 record: 30 d 22 h 19 min)
  • Equator - Cape Leeuwin: 11 d 12 h (time of Loïck Peyron during the 2011 record: 12 d 9 h 2 min)
  • Cape Agulhas - Cape Leeuwin in 4 days 9 h 37 min 46 at an average speed of 35.08 knots over ground (3,705 miles) or 842 miles in 24 hours (6 days 8 min or 36% more for Loïck Peyron's previous record)
  • Cape of Good Hope - Cape Horn in 13 d 20 h 13 min (19 d 00 h 31 min or 37% more for Loïck Peyron's previous record)
  • Cape of Good Hope - Cape Leeuwin: 4 d 11 h 31 min (6 d 02 h 09 min or 36% more for Loïck Peyron's previous record in 2011)
  • Cap Leeuwin - Cape Horn in 9 d 08 h 46 min (12 d 22 h 22 min or 38% more for Loïck Peyron's previous record)
  • Indian Ocean: 5 d 21 h 7 min 45 s (WSSRC reference) (8 d 07 h 23 min or 41% more for Loïck Peyron during the 2011 record)
  • Pacific Ocean: 7 d 21 h 13 min 31 s (WSSRC reference) (10 d 15 h 07 min or 39% more for Loïck Peyron during the 2011 record)
  • Equator - Equator: 29 d 9 h 10 min 55 s (WSSRC reference) (32 d 11 h 52 min or 11% more for Loïck Peyron during the 2011 record)
  • North Atlantic return record: 5 d 19 h 21 min (7 d 10 h 58 min or 25% more for Loïck Peyron during the 2011 record)

See also

[edit]
Competitions and prizes
Other speed sailing records

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

IDEC Sport

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
IDEC Sport is the dedicated sports division of the French construction conglomerate IDEC Group, established in 2015 to unify and promote the company's high-performance athletic partnerships across multiple disciplines, with a primary focus on ocean and automobile . The IDEC Group's engagement in elite sports traces back to the early 2000s, initially through sponsorships in , evolving into a structured initiative under IDEC Sport that supports a diverse array of activities including , football, rugby, and , all underpinned by a commitment to data-driven performance optimization and values like and . In sailing, IDEC Sport has achieved global prominence through its partnership with skipper Francis Joyon, beginning in 2006, which culminated in the 2017 conquest of the aboard the maxi- IDEC Sport. This record-breaking crewed, non-stop of the globe covered 21,760 nautical miles in just 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes, and 30 seconds, shattering the previous mark by over four days and establishing IDEC Sport as one of the fastest ocean-racing vessels in history. The , refitted in 2015 from a legendary prior design, also secured victories in events like the and multiple intermediate records during its trophy run, including passages at and . On the motorsport front, IDEC Sport Racing was formed in 2015 by IDEC Group president Patrice Lafargue, building on the legacy of the Ruffier Racing team, and quickly rose to prominence by winning its category in the on debut. The team competes in the (ELMS) and the , achieving the 2019 ELMS LMP2 championship and strong finishes at , such as 6th in LMP2 (10th overall) in 2020 with the #28 07. Key drivers include Lafargue himself, alongside talents like , Paul-Loup Chatin, and , with the program expanding into the Le Mans Cup in LMP3. Recent developments include a 2025 partnership with Genesis Magma Racing, enhancing infrastructure and aiming for sustained endurance success. Beyond these flagship endeavors, IDEC Sport fosters emerging initiatives like The Famous Project in 2025, an all-female crew led by skipper Alexia Barrier aboard the IDEC Sport , targeting a women's record for the while promoting ocean conservation, , and youth education in sailing. This multifaceted approach reflects IDEC Sport's role in blending corporate sponsorship with athletic excellence, contributing to charitable causes such as research at the French Brain and Spinal Cord Institute.

Design

Specifications

The IDEC Sport is a high-performance racing with an overall length of 31.5 meters and a beam of 22.5 meters, providing exceptional stability through its wide multihull configuration. Its displacement is approximately 18 tonnes, constructed entirely from carbon- composite, featuring a Nomex honeycomb core for lightweight strength and rigidity. Designed by the VPLP team ( Peteghem-Lauriot Prévost), the vessel emphasizes balanced performance for transoceanic record attempts, with a draught of 5.7 meters. The sail plan includes an upwind area of 411 square meters and a downwind area of 678 square meters, optimized for varying conditions. It features a single central rotating wing mast measuring 33.5 meters in height, which enhances aerodynamic efficiency by allowing precise adjustments to sail trim. For propulsion, the relies solely on during record attempts, with no fixed engine in use, though it is equipped with auxiliary diesel engines for harbor maneuvers and support operations. Stability is achieved through its broad beam and later additions like foils, rather than traditional systems. The vessel is capable of theoretical maximum speeds exceeding 40 knots in optimal conditions, with sustained averages of 22 to 27 knots during extended passages. Specifications have evolved through modifications over time, as detailed in subsequent sections.

Construction and Modifications

The IDEC Sport, originally constructed as Groupama 3, was built at the Multiplast yard in , , with work commencing in 2005. The project demanded approximately 130,000 man-hours and resulted in the vessel's launch on June 7, 2006. Designed by VPLP for transoceanic record attempts, the initial build featured a carbon-Nomex composite structure as the first large incorporating foils, prioritizing exceptional speed alongside structural durability for demanding ocean passages. Following its acquisition by skipper Francis Joyon, the underwent a refit at the Multiplast yard in 2015 and was relaunched under the name IDEC Sport on October 2, 2015, marking its transition to new ownership and campaigns. A significant modification occurred in 2017 ahead of the , when the team enhanced the existing foils by equipping them with bowsprits to boost lift capacity. This adaptation enabled improved upwind performance, allowing the vessel to point higher and achieve greater speeds into the wind without compromising overall stability. In 2024, as part of The Famous Project led by Alexia Barrier, the returned to the Multiplast yard for a comprehensive refit tailored to an all-female crew configuration. The refit supports The Famous Project's goal of setting a women's record for the , with an all-female crew announced in September 2025 and an attempt planned for December 2025 to March 2026. It was relaunched on May 31, 2024, in , restoring the legendary vessel for renewed record pursuits.

History

As Groupama 3 (2006–2014)

Groupama 3, a 105-foot maxi designed for high-speed transoceanic , was launched in June 2006 at the Multiplast shipyard in , , specifically to pursue outright records under the sponsorship of the French insurance company . Skippered primarily by Franck Cammas, the vessel's professional crew typically consisted of 9 to 10 members, including watch leaders and specialists in navigation and sail handling, operating from the team's base in , . The team, backed by 's resources, focused on crewed record attempts emphasizing speed and reliability in extreme conditions, with Cammas leveraging his experience from prior campaigns to optimize performance. In its early years, Groupama 3 quickly established its record-setting potential through targeted transoceanic runs. In July 2007, during a North Atlantic crossing from New York to , the set a new outright 24-hour distance record of 794 nautical miles at an average speed exceeding 33 knots, while also claiming the transatlantic record in 4 days, 3 hours, 57 minutes, and 54 seconds. The following year, in January 2008, Cammas and his crew initiated a attempt, a non-stop crewed , crossing the from in a record 6 days, 6 hours, 24 minutes, and 43 seconds after covering 2,960 miles. However, the 2008 attempt ended prematurely off due to structural damage and a capsize, highlighting the vessel's exposure to the Southern Ocean's challenges despite its advanced design. Groupama 3's campaign continued with further record pursuits, culminating in significant achievements by 2010. That year, during preparations and execution of another attempt, the set multiple distance benchmarks, including passages across major ocean segments, before successfully claiming the outright in 48 days, 7 hours, 44 minutes, and 52 seconds after departing on February 1. In November 2010, Cammas sailed Groupama 3 solo to victory in the transatlantic race in the Ultime class, finishing in 9 days, 3 hours, 14 minutes, and 30 seconds and securing his first solo win on the . These successes underscored the vessel's role in elevating crewed racing, with the Lorient-based team refining tactics for sustained high speeds over long distances. After eight years of intensive service, 3 was retired from the team's active program in 2014 as shifted focus to monohull racing, including preparations for subsequent Volvo Ocean Race campaigns following their 2011-2012 victory with 4. The was subsequently placed on the market, marking the end of its tenure under the banner and allowing for its transition to new ownership.

Transition and Early IDEC Campaigns (2015–2016)

In late 2015, French sailor Francis Joyon acquired the maxi-trimaran formerly known as Groupama 3, with sponsorship from the IDEC Group, a prominent French construction firm specializing in sustainable building projects. Renamed IDEC Sport, the vessel marked a shift toward small-crew ocean racing under Joyon's leadership, emphasizing team cohesion through targeted record attempts rather than large-team operations. Prior to relaunch, IDEC Sport underwent comprehensive structural inspections and minor modifications at the Multiplast shipyard in , , to address wear from its prior campaigns and ensure seaworthiness for high-speed pursuits. The first IDEC livery—featuring bold blue and white branding—was applied during this refit, and the was relaunched on October 2, 2015, signaling the start of its new era. Joyon quickly assembled an initial crew, including seasoned sailors Alex Pella, a Barcelona-born record-holder, and Bernard Stamm, a Swiss expert, to support preparatory efforts focused on solo and reduced-crew dynamics. The transition period's inaugural major voyage was a attempt, departing , , on December 18, 2015, with Joyon and his five-man crew navigating challenging conditions across the Atlantic and into the . Although light winds in the Doldrums forced an early return on January 8, 2016, after 47 days, 14 hours, and 47 minutes—falling short of the record by about two days—the shakedown validated the boat's performance and honed team synchronization. This outing, combined with subsequent 2016 training runs involving multiple Atlantic crossings, built essential experience for future campaigns while prioritizing safety and efficiency in small-crew configurations.

Francis Joyon Era (2017–2023)

Under the leadership of French sailor Francis Joyon, the maxi-trimaran IDEC Sport entered a highly successful phase focused on both crewed and solo record attempts, leveraging the vessel's proven speed and Joyon's expertise in extreme offshore navigation. In late 2016, Joyon assembled a compact crew of five experienced sailors—Clément Surtel, Alex Pella, Bernard Stamm, Gwénolé Gahinet, and Sébastien Audigane—for an ambitious bid on the , the outright crewed round-the-world sailing record. Departing from on December 16, 2016, the team faced severe conditions, including storms with winds exceeding 50 knots and towering waves, testing the trimaran's structural integrity and the crew's resilience during the 21,600-nautical-mile course. Their strategic routing and efficient watch system enabled them to shatter the previous record, completing the course in a record 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes, and 30 seconds, validating IDEC Sport's potential as a premier record-breaking platform. Following the Jules Verne success, Joyon shifted focus to solo endeavors, marking a return to his roots as an independent offshore specialist while occasionally incorporating crew for longer passages. In , he campaigned IDEC Sport single-handed in the transatlantic race from to , a grueling 3,542-nautical-mile course that showcased the trimaran's handling in variable winds and heavy seas; Joyon clinched victory in the class, edging out rival François Gabart by mere minutes in one of the race's closest finishes. This win highlighted Joyon's tactical acumen and the boat's reliability for solo ultra-endurance efforts. Transitioning back to crewed , Joyon and a team of four—Bertrand Delesne, Christophe Houdet, Antoine Blouet, and Corentin Joyon—embarked on the 2020 Tea Route record attempt from to via the , covering approximately 15,800 nautical miles; despite challenging gales and precise weather routing around high-pressure systems, they established a new benchmark, demonstrating IDEC Sport's versatility across global routes. The period also saw continued evolution in team operations, with Joyon blending his solo-honed decision-making with collaborative dynamics from a core group of veterans, emphasizing minimal crew size for agility and cost efficiency. Based primarily in Brittany's sailing hubs, the operation utilized facilities in for maintenance at the Multiplast yard and occasionally for logistical support, allowing rapid adaptations to the trimaran's foils and rigging. In 2021, Joyon initiated the Discovery Route campaign, a multi-leg attempting various passage records, but the attempt was postponed in October without sailing the opening segment from to . Joyon's approach fostered a tight-knit environment where roles rotated fluidly, drawing on his prior solo successes to mentor younger sailors like Gahinet. By 2022, Joyon, at age 66, returned to the solo, completing the course in fourth place overall among Ultimes despite competition from newer foiling designs, underscoring IDEC Sport's enduring competitiveness without major upgrades. This era culminated in 2023 with the announcement of the end of the long-term partnership between Joyon and sponsor IDEC Sport after two decades, prompting Joyon to step back from intensive solo racing campaigns while preparing the vessel for potential transfer to new ownership. The shift allowed Joyon to reflect on a legacy of innovation in small-team ocean racing, with IDEC Sport having become synonymous with boundary-pushing performance under his command.

The Famous Project (2024–present)

In 2024, The Famous Project was initiated by French sailor Alexia Barrier to promote gender equity in offshore sailing, marking a shift toward inclusivity on the maxi-trimaran IDEC Sport, previously associated with male-led record attempts. The vessel underwent a refit at the Multiplast shipyard in , , culminating in its relaunch on May 31, 2024, with a new livery designed by Jean-Baptiste Epron to reflect the project's empowering ethos. On September 16, 2025, Barrier announced the all-female crew of seven at the in , comprising an international lineup to tackle the . The team includes Barrier as skipper (), co-skipper Dee Caffari (), Deborah Blair (), Rebecca Gmür Hornell (/), Annemieke Bes (), Stacey Jackson (), and Molly LaPointe (/), selected from a rigorous process involving trials on the project's MOD70 Limosa. This diverse group brings complementary expertise in ocean racing, emphasizing teamwork across cultures and experience levels. The project is primarily sponsored by CIC bank as the founding partner, with IDEC Group providing official support, including the loan of the IDEC Sport rather than a sale, allowing the vessel to remain in the IDEC fleet post-attempt. The core objective is to establish the first all-female reference time for the , a non-stop without assistance, surpassing the current record set by Francis Joyon's mixed crew in 2017. As of November 2025, the crew is engaged in intensive training sessions in the Atlantic Ocean, focusing on synchronization and weather routing ahead of the weather standby period beginning mid-November. The attempt is scheduled to start from the reference point off Ouessant (), , between December 2025 and March 2026, aligning with optimal conditions for the 21,600-nautical-mile course around the world. This endeavor represents the first all-female challenge in 25 years, since Tracy ' 1998 bid, aiming to inspire greater female participation in high-level while validating women's capabilities in extreme offshore conditions.

Records

Jules Verne Trophy

The IDEC Sport maxi-trimaran, skippered by Francis Joyon with a crew of five—Clément Surtel, Alex Pella, Bernard Stamm, Gwénolé Gahinet, and Sébastien Audigane—successfully claimed the in 2017 by completing the fastest crewed, non-stop of the globe. The attempt began on December 16, 2016, at 08:19 UTC off the island of Ouessant (), France, and finished on January 26, 2017, at 07:49:30 UTC at the same line, achieving a record time of 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes, and 30 seconds. This performance shattered the previous record set by Loïck Peyron's Banque Populaire V team in 2012 by 4 days, 14 hours, 12 minutes, and 23 seconds. The route followed the traditional course eastward from Ouessant, passing the capes of Good Hope, Leeuwin, and Horn while remaining south of the , covering a theoretical distance of 22,461 nautical miles at an overall average speed of 22.84 knots; in reality, the crew sailed 26,412 nautical miles at an average of 26.85 knots due to tacking and weather deviations. The small crew employed a strategy emphasizing efficiency and precise weather routing provided by meteorologist Marcel van Triest, allowing them to hook into successive low-pressure systems for sustained high speeds while managing rest rotations in a compact onboard environment. Key challenges included navigating the Doldrums' calms and thunderstorms early in the Atlantic, where speeds dropped to as low as 6.4 knots on December 21, and contending with powerful fronts that demanded constant vigilance against structural stresses. Particularly demanding legs highlighted the campaign's intensity: the Indian Ocean crossing became a sprint after initial frustrations, with the trimaran averaging 35.08 knots over 3,705 miles, including 10 consecutive days above 800 nautical miles daily, setting new benchmarks for that sector. The Pacific leg presented its own trials with erratic winds leading to a temporary slowdown, though the crew capitalized on a powerful front to log a peak 24-hour run of 894 miles at 37.3 knots on day 14, pushing through heavy swells and isolation in the vast ocean. En route, the team broke six intermediate World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) records, including passages from Ouessant to the equator, equator to Cape Leeuwin, Leeuwin to meridian of Tasmania, Tasmania to International Date Line, Date Line to Cape Horn, and Horn to equator. The WSSRC officially ratified the record and intermediate achievements on , 2017, confirming IDEC Sport's status as the holder of the fastest crewed non-stop around-the-world record. This accomplishment not only demonstrated the vessel's optimized design for speed but also underscored the viability of a compact in extreme offshore racing, influencing subsequent strategies. Preparatory campaigns in 2016 had refined the boat's setup for this successful bid.

Route du Rhum Wins

In 2018, Francis Joyon skippered to victory in the solo transatlantic race, completing the 3,542-nautical-mile course from , , to , , in a record time of 7 days, 14 hours, 21 minutes, and 47 seconds. This performance shattered the previous race record—set by the same vessel four years earlier under its prior name, Banque Populaire VII, and skipper Loïck Peyron—by 46 minutes and 45 seconds, showcasing the trimaran's enduring speed potential in solo configuration. Joyon's tactical mastery in the light winds near the finish edged out rival François Gabart by just 7 minutes and 8 seconds in one of the closest finishes in the race's history. The preparation for the 2018 edition built on IDEC Sport's recent crewed successes, including the 2017 win, with Joyon conducting intensive solo training sessions to refine his handling of the 105-foot . The vessel was optimized for single-handed operation through upgrades to its systems and deck layouts, enabling Joyon to manage sails, navigation, and rest cycles autonomously across the variable Atlantic conditions. These enhancements proved crucial in navigating the and avoiding the pitfalls that had challenged competitors. This triumph marked the second win for the trimaran since its launch in 2006, establishing it as the first to secure multiple victories in the class and underscoring Joyon's prowess as a solo at age 62. The success further cemented IDEC Sport's reputation for record-breaking transatlantic passages, blending raw speed with reliable solo ergonomics. In the edition, Joyon finished fourth on IDEC Sport after a strong but ultimately non-podium effort; the boat then entered a refit phase in preparation for The Famous Project, prioritizing long-term global record campaigns over the 2026 race.

Distance and Passage Records

IDEC Sport has established a series of distance and passage records ratified by the (WSSRC), highlighting its capabilities in sustained high-speed sailing beyond major trophies like the . Between 2016 and 2021, the broke 18 such records, encompassing 24-hour distances, weekly hauls, and segmented passages. These achievements relied on advanced software to optimize routes through dynamic conditions and precise adjustments to maintain stability and speed during prolonged downwind runs. A key 24-hour feat occurred during early IDEC campaigns in 2016, when the boat covered 563 nautical miles at an average of 23.46 knots on May 20, later surpassed by 579 nautical miles in subsequent efforts, demonstrating the vessel's efficiency in moderate . During the 2016-2017 season, IDEC Sport logged exceptional daily runs, including 826 nautical miles in 24 hours while pushing through the , averaging over 34 knots—among the highest for multihulls in competitive passages. Weekly distances also peaked, with one 2016 leg exceeding 3,232 nautical miles, underscoring the crew's ability to chain favorable systems for multi-day averages above 22 knots. Long-haul passages further showcased IDEC Sport's prowess. In February 2020, Francis Joyon and crew set a new Hong Kong to London record (the historic Tea Route), traversing 12,948 nautical miles in 31 days, 23 hours, 36 minutes, and 46 seconds at 16.87 knots over the theoretical course, or 20.7 knots over the actual sailed distance of 15,873 nautical miles. This beat the prior mark by 4 days, 3 hours, and 14 seconds, aided by consistent Pacific trades and Indian Ocean swells. Other notable segmented records include the 2017 Ushant to Equator passage, improved by 2 days, 22 hours, and 36 minutes over the previous benchmark (actual time: 35 days, 4 hours, 9 minutes), and the Port Louis (Lorient) to Port Louis (Mauritius) record in 2019, which fell in 19 days, 18 hours, 14 minutes, and 45 seconds over 8,100 nautical miles at 17.08 knots. These passages emphasized strategic routing to exploit jet streams while managing structural loads through ballast shifts. No new records have been set by IDEC Sport as of November 2025, though The Famous Project continues efforts toward the Jules Verne Trophy.

References

  1. https://www.idecsport.com/en/idec-sport-racing/
  2. https://www.idecsport.com/en/francis-joyon-and-the-idec-group-an-adventure-that-has-lasted-for-more-than-16-years/
  3. https://www.idecsport.com/en/
  4. https://sailmagazine.com/racing/idec-sport-smashes-record/
  5. https://www.idecsport.com/en/idec-sport-a-new-life-for-a-legendary-boat/
  6. https://www.idecsport.com/en/the-famous-project/
  7. https://www.idecsport.com/en/the-maxi-trimaran/
  8. https://www.vplp.fr/en/racing/groupama-3/
  9. https://sailingmagazine.net/article-permalink-1734.html
  10. https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/idec-sport/overview
  11. https://thefamousproject.io/idec-sport/
  12. https://www.idecsport.com/en/peak-speeds-in-excess-of-40-knots-for-idec-sport/
  13. https://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/185967/New-IDEC-Sport-maxi-trimaran-launched
  14. https://www.boatnews.com/story/27194/new-foils-for-idec-sport-route-du-rhum-mission
  15. https://www.sail-world.com/news/275407/The-Famous-Project-From-MOD70-to-Maxi-Trimaran
  16. https://www.sail-world.com/news/290030/The-Famous-Project-CIC
  17. https://groupeidec-international.com/en/idec-sport-and-groupe-idec-join-forces-with-alexia-barrier-in-the-famous-project/
  18. https://www.multiplast.eu/en/news/newsletters/newsletter-archive/429-maxi-groupama-trimaran-launched.html
  19. https://www.sailingworld.com/racing/groupama-3-sets-transatlantic-record/
  20. https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/news/groupama-3-20668
  21. https://www.groupama.com/en/analyst/ten-sailors-on-a-mission-to-conquer-the-jules-verne-trophy-aboard-groupama-3/
  22. https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/news/groupama-crosses-equator-20197
  23. https://www.sail-world.com/-41920/
  24. https://www.tropheejulesverne.org/en/course/2010-franck-cammas-groupama-3/
  25. https://www.sail-world.com/Europe/Route-du-Rhum---Cammas-and-Groupama-take-transatlantic-solo-victory/76707
  26. https://www.yachtingworld.com/news/groupama-wins-volvo-ocean-race-2820
  27. https://www.sail-world.com/-139197/
  28. https://www.idecsport.com/en/aiming-for-the-jules-verne-trophy-idec-sport-back-in-the-water-and-shortly-going-on-stand-by/
  29. https://www.yachtingworld.com/news/doldrums-thwart-joyons-jules-verne-attempt-99973
  30. https://www.sail-world.com/-148584/
  31. https://www.yachtingworld.com/news/francis-joyon-and-idec-smash-jules-verne-crewed-round-the-world-record-with-26-8-knot-average-speed-104160
  32. https://explorersweb.com/maxi-trimaran-record-breaking-times-in-jules-verne-trophy-2017-01-14-42079/
  33. https://www.sailmagazine.com/racing/idec-sport-smashes-record/
  34. https://www.sail-world.com/news/212111/Race-record-for-IDEC-Sport-at-2018-Route-du-Rhum
  35. https://www.france24.com/en/20181112-france-route-rhum-joyon-62-transatlantic-race-sailing-yacht-sport
  36. https://www.yachtingworld.com/news/francis-joyon-tea-route-record-idec-sport-125176
  37. https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2020/02/19/idec-sport-shatters-tea-route-record/
  38. https://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/241758/Francis-Joyon-and-crew-back-on-the-Discovery-Route
  39. https://www.idecsport.com/en/francis-joyon/
  40. https://www.sail-world.com/news/243329/Joyon-postpones-Discovery-Route-record-attempt
  41. https://www.sail-world.com/news/256216/Francis-Joyon-takes-fourth-place-at-age-66
  42. https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2022/11/18/francis-joyon-doing-incredible-things/
  43. https://www.boatnews.com/story/42996/francis-joyon-loses-his-ultim-after-20-years-of-partnership-with-idec-sport
  44. https://www.boatnews.com/story/46118/alexia-barrier-the-cultural-mix-of-our-female-crew-will-be-a-real-advantage
  45. https://thefamousproject.io/idec-sport-new-design/
  46. https://www.idecsport.com/en/idec-sport-aux-cotes-de-the-famous-project-cic-un-equipage-100-feminin-sur-le-trophee-jules-verne/
  47. https://thefamousproject.io/team/
  48. https://sailorz.com/en/trophee-jules-verne-2/alexia-barrier-the-famous-project-is-not-just-about-setting-records/
  49. https://www.boatnews.com/story/50072/the-famous-project-cic-a-100-female-crew-ready-to-challenge-the-jules-verne-trophy
  50. https://rorc.org/rorc-talk-the-famous-project
  51. https://www.yachtingworld.com/races/the-all-female-team-aiming-to-set-a-new-round-the-world-record-146248
  52. https://www.sail-world.com/usa/Jule-Verne-Trophy---IDEC-Sport-lowers-record-by-4days-235hrs/151383
  53. https://www.idecsport.com/en/idec-sports-record-ratified/
  54. https://www.idecsport.com/en/joyon-and-his-men-shatter-the-jules-verne-trophy-record/
  55. https://www.sail-world.com/-150856/
  56. https://www.tropheejulesverne.org/en/nouveau-record-a-lequateur/
  57. https://www.idecsport.com/en/francis-joyon-enters-the-history-books-of-the-route-du-rhum/
  58. https://thefamousproject.io/idec-sport-close-to-relaunch/
  59. https://chevreuse-courtage.com/chevreuse-courtage-au-depart-de-la-12eme-edition-de-la-route-du-rhum-destination-guadeloupe-2/
  60. https://www.sailspeedrecords.com/performance-certificates
  61. https://www.idecsport.com/en/idec-sport-has-sailed-826-miles-in-24-hours/
  62. https://www.sailspeedrecords.com/records
  63. https://www.idecsport.com/en/new-equator-record-for-idec-sport/
  64. https://www.idecsport.com/en/idec-sport-beats-the-mauritius-route-record/
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