One of the leading figures in single-handed offshore racing
Francis Joyon, born on April 6, 1956, is one of France's most decorated sailors in high-seas offshore racing. His career, spanning nearly four decades, is defined by a frugal and exacting approach to ocean navigation: minimal communication, no frills, a focus on the boat and performance. He made his name in particular in single-handed sailing on multihulls.
Solo round-the-world records
- 2004: solo round-the-world in 72 days 22 hours on IDEC II (absolute record at the time)
- 2008: broke his own record at 57 days 13 hours on IDEC II
Jules Verne Trophy (crew)
Francis Joyon won the Jules Verne Trophy on IDEC Sport in 40 days 23 hours 30 minutes 30 seconds (absolute world record, January 26, 2017), with a crew of six: Bernard Stamm, Alex Pella, Clément Surtel, Gwénolé Gahinet, Sébastien Audigane.
Route du Rhum
- Route du Rhum 2018: victory in the Ultim class on IDEC Sport in 7 days 14 hours 21 minutes, with a 7-minute lead over François Gabart
- Route du Rhum 2014: victory in the ORMA60 class on IDEC II
- Route du Rhum 2010: victory in the Ultim class on IDEC II
The IDEC Sport adventure (2015–2023)
In 2015, Francis Joyon acquired the ex-Groupama 3 maxi-trimaran (ex-Banque Populaire VII, ex-Lending Club 2) and renamed it IDEC Sport after a three-week refit at Multiplast in Vannes. Over eight years, he made it the most decorated machine of its generation, culminating in the January 2017 Jules Verne record. The partnership with the IDEC Group — twenty years of sporting collaboration — ended in April 2023. The trimaran was then handed over to Alexia Barrier for the The Famous Project.
