Jules Verne Trophy

Jules Verne Trophy. It is a prestigious award for the fastest circumnavigation of the world by any type of yacht, with no restrictions on crew size, starting and finishing between the Île d'Ouessant and Lizard Point. Established in 1990 by the Yacht Club de France, the trophy honors the visionary novelist Jules Verne and the fictional voyage depicted in his 1873 novel Around the World in Eighty Days. The challenge represents the pinnacle of ocean racing, pushing the limits of technology, seamanship, and human endurance.

History

The concept was conceived by French yachtsman Titouan Lamazou and formally proposed by the Yacht Club de France in 1990. The inaugural attempt was launched in 1993 by the catamaran Commodore Explorer, skippered by Bruno Peyron. This first successful voyage, completed in 1993, set the initial benchmark time. The trophy's history is marked by intense rivalry, primarily between French sailing syndicates, with significant advancements in multihull design driven by competitions like the America's Cup and the Route du Rhum. The evolution of the record reflects a dramatic technological arms race, transitioning from early catamarans to the highly sophisticated foiling trimarans of the modern era.

Rules and regulations

The official rules mandate a non-stop circumnavigation starting from an imaginary line between Île d'Ouessant and Lizard Point. The course must pass south of the three great capes: Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn, with no outside assistance permitted. There is no limit on crew size or yacht design, allowing for the use of the fastest possible sailing vessels. The timing is based on elapsed time, and attempts can be made at any time of year, though skippers strategically choose windows based on Southern Ocean weather patterns. The verification of records is overseen by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.

Trophy holders

The trophy has been held by a succession of groundbreaking vessels and skippers. The first record was set by Bruno Peyron aboard Commodore Explorer. Notable holders include Olivier de Kersauson with the trimaran Geronimo, and Franck Cammas, who set a significant record in 2010 aboard the trimaran Groupama 3. The current record, set in 2022, is held by the maxi-trimaran Maxi Edmond de Rothschild (also known as Gitana 17), skippered by Charles Caudrelier and Franck Cammas, with a time of 40 days, 23 hours. Other elite sailors who have held the trophy include Francis Joyon and Loïck Peyron.

Notable attempts

Many attempts have ended in dramatic failure due to extreme conditions. A notable early attempt by Peter Blake and Robin Knox-Johnston on ENZA New Zealand succeeded in 1994, capturing the record. The 1997 attempt by Steve Fossett's PlayStation ended with a dismasting. In 2008, the capsize of the trimaran Groupama 3 in the Southern Ocean was a major setback before its later success. The 2011-12 attempt by the trimaran Banque Populaire V, skippered by Loïck Peyron, resulted in a long-standing record. More recently, the 2023 attempt by the ultime trimaran SVR-Lazartigue was abandoned after sustaining damage.

Vessels and crews

The vessels are among the most advanced sailing machines ever built, typically large foiling trimarans over 30 meters in length, such as the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild and SVR-Lazartigue. Crews are composed of elite professional sailors, often featuring veterans of the Vendée Globe, The Ocean Race, and the Route du Rhum. Design and campaign teams involve leading naval architects like the VPLP design firm and sponsors such as the Banque Populaire group and the Gitana Team. The physical and mental demands on crews are immense, requiring constant vigilance while sailing at high speeds through the treacherous waters of the Southern Ocean and around Cape Horn.

Category:Sailing trophies and awards Category:Jules Verne Category:World sailing speed records