Frenchman Thomas Coville, who is hoping to break Francis Joyon’s record of sailing solo around the world, is back in the North Atlantic. His trimaran Sodebo crossed the equator yesterday (Sunday 20 March) at 09:20 GMT after 49 days, 22 hours, 12 minutes and 32 seconds at sea – 1 day, 19 hours and 54 minutes behind Francis Joyon’s record.

Since his departure from Ushant on 29 January, the trimaran has traveled 23,777 miles (averaging 19.84 knots). During the last stretch, from Cape Horn to the Equator, Coville was faster than his predecessor. Despite being carried primarily upwind and with a damaged starboard bow, Thomas reached the equator in 11 days, 21 hours and 56 minutes – over 16 hours better than Francis in 2008.

This meant that Thomas was 226 miles ahead five days ago. He is now aproximately 484 miles behind, but since yesterday the NE winds have been building, and Thomas Coville’s speeds have been increasing from 12 knots to 17 knots.

In order to beat the record, Thomas must cross the finish line before 28 March 2011, 13:40:34 (local time). For the next seven days he must keep his average speed above 18 knots.

During his previous attempt two years ago, Thomas was faster than Francis in the final stretch. This year, the skipper must be two days quicker – a difficult ask.

Today, the Sodebo Team posted:

“Thomas’ focus is on speed this morning – in clear weather shortly.

The rendezvous live video was postponed today, to allow the skipper complete freedom while Sodebo is reaching average speeds of 24 knots since the middle of the night.”

Timings and Distances

Start – Equator (first passage):

IDEC: (30 November 2007) 6 days, 17 hours at sea – 3,355 miles sailed at average speed of 20.8 knots
SODEBO: (5 February 2011) 7 days, 2 hours, 27 minutes at sea – 3,529 miles sailed at average speed of 20.7 knots

Difference: 9 hours, 27 minutes – 161 miles behind

Start – Cape of Good Hope:
IDEC: (December 2007) 15 days, 7 hours, 13 minutes – 7,400 miles at 20.12 knots
SODEBO: (15 February 2011) 17 days, 5 hours, 54 minutes – 8,405 miles at 20.31 knots
Difference : 1 day, 22 hours, 41 minutes – 1,151 miles behind



Start – Leeumin:
IDEC: (16 December 2007) 22 days, 15 hours, 28 minutes – 11,450 miles at 21.1 knots
SODEBO: (23 February 2011) 25 days, 2 hours 32 minutes – 12,374 miles at 20.55 knots
Difference: 2 days, 10 hours, 32 minutes – 1,194 miles behind

Start – Cape Horn:

IDEC: (29 December 2007) 35 days, 12 hours, 36 minutes – 17,902 miles at 21 knots

SODEBO: (8 March 2011) 38 days, 0 hours, 16 minutes – 19,186 miles at 21.03 knots

Difference: 2 days, 11 hours, 40 minutes – 666 miles behind



Start Equator (second passage):

IDEC: (10 January 2008) 48 days, 2 hours, 18 minutes – 22,626 miles at 19.6 knots
SODEBO: (20 March 2011) 49 days, 22 hours, 12 minutes – 23,777 miles at 19.84 knots
Difference: 1 day, 19 hours, 54 minutes – 487 miles behind

Cape Horn – Equator:

IDEC: (2008) 12 days, 14 hours

SODEBO: (20 March 2011) 11 days, 21 hours, 56 minutes
Difference: SODEBO 16 hours, 4 minutes quicker than IDEC

To follow Thomas, visit www.sodebo-voile.com

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