François Gabart and SVR-Lazartigue Turn Back in Jules Verne Trophy Attempt
The crew of the maxi-trimaran SVR-Lazartigue, led by renowned sailor François Gabart, has announced their decision to turn back towards Concarneau, France, after experiencing a significant foil failure. The incident occurred while the vessel was approximately 500 miles from the Azores archipelago, during a challenging sail in winds of 25-30 knots. The team reported a collision with an unidentified object, which resulted in damage to the starboard foil. Gabart stated, "We turned back because it seemed difficult and complicated for this foil to last a whole trip around the world anyway."
Despite this setback, Gabart remains optimistic about the team's chances of resuming their attempt for the Jules Verne Trophy, which honors the fastest crewed circumnavigation of the globe. The current record, set by Francis Joyon and Idec Sport in 2017, stands at 40 days, 23 hours, and 30 minutes. Gabart, who previously set the solo round-the-world record in 2017, expressed hope that they could set off again quickly, contingent on repairs and favorable weather conditions. The team is expected to return to Brittany between Friday and Sunday, where they will assess the damage and consider their options for a future attempt.
Competitive Landscape of the Jules Verne Trophy
The Jules Verne Trophy is highly coveted among sailors, and Gabart's team is not alone in the pursuit. Thomas Coville, sailing on Sodebo Ultim 3, is currently still in the race, having left twelve hours earlier than SVR-Lazartigue. Coville passed the Azores and is making progress towards Cape Verde, though he is slightly behind Joyon's record pace. Coville, a two-time trophy winner, is eager to secure the title as the captain of his own vessel this time. The competition between Coville and Gabart is expected to be fierce as both teams strategize their next moves in this challenging sailing endeavor.
