OnBoard Francis Joyon's IDEC, Massive ULTIM Cyclor! Francis has to be fit. The Bike is for Winches

Subscribe for all Reports.
Francis Joyon: “I push my boat hard, as otherwise I’d get bored
The skipper of IDEC Sport and winner of the 2018 race does not usually say a lot, but when he does talk, he gives a well-informed analysis of ocean racing and of the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe in particular, as after all, this is his eighth attempt at the race.
In 1990 for your first race, there were 19 competitors. This year 138 sailors will be setting off. How do you feel about the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe thirty two years on?
In 1990, it was very special and I entered the Rhum almost breaking the rules. I had built a catamaran in a large greenhouse and like Bruno Peyron and Hervé Laurent, I was forced to cut her down to 20 m. Then, three weeks before the start, we were told we would have to cut more off to take her to 18.3m. Bruno and Hervé set off outside of the rules, as they had the means to do that, but my sponsor told me to re-read my contract. I either reimbursed everything by setting off like that, or you respect the rules. I did what I was told and then I had to do another qualifier, as the size of the boat had changed.. it was all done a the last moment in 45 knots of wind. I came back with ripped sails and the boat all over the place. I was worn out and that’s how I started the race. I was the bad boy of the class at the time. Looking back, I regret not sailing outside of the rules. This year, I have agreed to the rules and joined the Ultim class. I may be older, but I’m still the same person as in 1990.