All-Female Crew Aims Jules Verne Circumnavigation Record

The IDEC SPORT maxi trimaran (100‑ft LOA) crossed the official Jules Verne start line at 01:40 UTC on 29 November 2025 between the Créac’h lighthouse (Ouessant) and Lizard Point (UK), initiating a nonstop, unassisted circumnavigation attempt by an all-female crew aiming to better the standing Jules Verne Trophy time of 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes, 30 seconds set in 2017 by Francis Joyon aboard the same platform.

Crew composition and vessel specifics

The Famous Project CIC has assembled eight professional sailors aboard IDEC SPORT. The team includes skipper Alexia Barrier, Dee Caffari, Annemieke Bes, Rebecca Gmur Hornell, Deborah Blair, Molly LaPointe, Tamara Echegoyen, and Stacey Jackson. Their objective is to complete a nonstop, unassisted circumnavigation and set a female benchmark for global speed around the planet.

Route, milestones and timing

The standard Jules Verne route requires rounding the globe via the three great capes: the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn. After crossing the start line off Ouessant, the IDEC SPORT crew sailed south past the Cape of Good Hope, progressed eastward across the Indian Ocean toward the southern approach of Cape Leeuwin (the most southerly, western point of mainland Australia), and will then head to Cape Horn before the northbound return to the English Channel.

Key logistical milestones on this course are crucial: the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean legs present the most demanding weather systems and require careful routing decisions; passing Cape Leeuwin signals crossing from the Indian Ocean into the Southern Ocean domain; rounding Cape Horn is both a morale and tactical checkpoint before the final sprint north.

Operational and safety challenges

Attempting a nonstop, unassisted circumnavigation places extreme demands on crew endurance, rig and hull integrity, and onboard systems. Critical logistical considerations include:

• Sail inventory management — carrying repairs and spare sails while balancing weight and trim.
• Weather routing — leveraging satellite data and routing models to avoid severe depressions while maintaining speed.
• Structural load monitoring — high-speed multihulls like IDEC SPORT must manage foil, crossbeam, and mast loads to prevent catastrophic failure.
• Human factors — sleep strategy, nutrition, and watch schedules are optimized to sustain performance over weeks without port calls.
• Communications — limited bandwidth and the need for secure, reliable position reporting for timekeeping and safety.

Why logistics matter to coastal tourism and charters

Large transoceanic attempts like this highlight developments in lightweight materials, sail-handling systems, and autopilot reliability that eventually trickle down to cruising and charter markets. Lessons learned about emergency gear stowage, redundancy, and fatigue management inform best practices for charters and day hires too. Renters, charter operators, and captains benefit when high-performance projects push technology and safety standards forward—improvements that make coastal cruising and yacht chartering more reliable and accessible.

Historical context and notable facts

The Jules Verne Trophy is an outright round‑the‑world speed prize established for the fastest nonstop, crewed circumnavigation under sail by any type of yacht. Francis Joyon’s 2017 run aboard IDEC SPORT set a blistering mark that has stood as a reference for crewed speed attempts. No all-female crew has previously completed a nonstop, unassisted circumnavigation, which makes this attempt both a sporting and symbolic milestone.

• Jules Verne start line: Créac’h lighthouse (Ouessant) to Lizard Point (UK).
• Nonstop, unassisted means no port calls, no outside physical assistance.
• IDEC SPORT has been modified and optimised over multiple campaigns to maximize sustainable speed.

Operational timeline (simplified)

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Forecasting how this record attempt might reshape tourism and yachting activity: the news is regionally and culturally significant and inspirational for women in sailing, but it is unlikely to cause a seismic shift in global tourism patterns on its own. Nevertheless, it raises the profile of ocean racing and long-range sailing, contributing to interest in advanced charters, performance yacht chartering, and specialist sailing courses. GetBoat aims to stay abreast of such developments and keep pace with the changing world; if you are planning your next trip to the seaside, consider the convenience and reliability of GetBoat.

In summary, the IDEC SPORT all‑female circumnavigation attempt combines elite seamanship, cutting‑edge multihull performance, and a clear logistical plan: precise routing through the three great capes, rigorous sail and structural management, and disciplined crew routines for a nonstop, unassisted race. For enthusiasts of yacht charter, boating and coastal activities, these campaigns showcase innovations that eventually benefit charter fleets and private owners alike. GetBoat.com provides a global, user-friendly platform to book or buy yachts, sailboats, and motorboats with transparency and convenience—helping you find the right yacht or boat for your next gulf, bay, or open‑ocean adventure, whether you seek a quiet lake outing, a fishing trip off a sun-drenched beach, or a high-energy superyacht charter.