Jean-Luc Van Den Heede set off this afternoon for his fourth attempt at breaking the solo non-stop westabout global record aboard his 85ft aluminium cutter Adrien.

Van Den Heede’s ambition of setting a new solo non-stop westabout record foundered when Adrien was dismasted 1,500 miles from the nearest land earlier this year. After 64 days at sea on his third attempt he was midway across the Southern Ocean and a remarkable 18 days ahead of the time set by record holder Philippe Monnet. From here he sailed with jury rig to Hobart, repaired the mast, and set off again with a his crewmate Jean Marie Patier, via Cape Horn, back to France. see previous news story here 

This afternoon the weather couldn’t have been better with a south-easterly 15-20kt breeze which should shift gently to the north pushing him to Ouessant island by midday tomorrow.

Just before he left shore Van Den Heede said: ‘This time I know the route well…. at least to Australia, so I’m not worried.’ With total confidence in his aluminium boat Jean Luc says that security and solidity are the major features in getting Adrien ready. Looking back on his earlier attempts with humour, he added: ‘With the hull and the mast strengthened I cannot even imagine what else can happen this year, this has to be the successful attempt.”