Jules Verne trophy - around the World's three Capes

The Jules Verne Trophy is a permanent challenge for the brave navigators who attempt it. The route crosses 17 different weather systems along the following route:
From the Bay of Biscay, to the Doldrums, southwards across the Atlantic, Cape of Good Hope, Cape Horn and then northwards across the Atlantic on the home stretch. Careful planning and expert sailing skills are essential as traps and dangers abound.

The Jules Verne Trophy is the most challenging and complete sailing race in the world." Olivier de Kersauson adores the complexity of the weather systems that present the main difficulties of this round the world route by its three Capes - Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn with the start and finish line between Lizard Point and Ouessant in Brittany. "The race goes through 17 weather systems which require meticulous planning and the finest skippering skills," adds the Breton sailor. "In a round the world race you can only choose the weather for the start. Then on you have to face what comes, like it or not".

As with all record attempts, the Jules Verne Trophy begins with a stand by period during which the skipper and crew wait for the best weather window to ensure the quickest start for their vessel. Several factors influence the strategy for a round the world race:

The departure date depends on when the boat will cross the critical and dangerous areas in the Southern Ocean. The ideal passage means leaving Europe early enough so as to reach these rough seas before the beginning of winter in the southern hemisphere.

When choosing a weather window the skipper and router have to consider the wind conditions in the starting area and the Bay of Biscay. In winter the North Atlantic is hit by a succession of low-pressure troughs which generate violent southerly and south-westerly winds. Boats run into these on the run towards the equator and they lead to heavy seas in the Bay of Biscay. The aim is to find a calm period between two low pressure troughs to avoid possibly dangerous conditions.

The next challenge is to negotiate the Azores anticyclone as best as possible before hooking up with the trade winds. These legendary easterlies blowing around the equator generally reach the northern hemisphere in mid-winter. They help to "carry" boats towards the equator but sometimes can be hard to find.

Lastly, the ice level in the south has to be considered. This is the latitude beyond which boats can sail without running the risk of meeting too many icebergs given that an iceberg generally has a trail of growlers - blocks of ice it drags in its wake. The choice of latitude is crucial as it determines the length of the passage. The further south the boat sails the shorter the voyage. A good compromise has to be found.

"We have seen that the weather system has been changing since 1996," notes Olivier de Kersauson. "The Atlantic current has evolved a lot. There are now low pressure systems of 5,000 kilometres in diameter and wind rotations are rare. This year there have been no cyclones in the Caribbean. As hot air evaporates there are not really any trade winds to speak of. This is why it is crucial to analyse all weather conditions and monitor what is happening on a day-to-day basis."

As vessels near the equator they have to cross the tricky Doldrums where the hemispheres meet and winds can be unstable and weak. Even the best weather watchers can be stumped by what happens here. Once beyond the equator the boats run into headwinds before picking up westerlies that are generated by the low pressure systems in the south. Through the Roaring Forties, the Howling Fifties around the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Horn, the crews face storms, cold, huge waves and ice. These tough conditions are more akin to survival than enjoyable sailing. And there is the constant dilemma of whether to head further south to shorten the route or stay to the north to keep out of the way of icebergs.

"The last time we reached the South Pacific in April and thought the world was coming to an end with the arrival of winter. The albatrosses and all other animals had disappeared. It is a really wild region," explains Olivier de Kersauson. This is why rounding Cape Horn is usually seen as a sort of deliverance. "Once you are round Cape Horn you know you are safe and out of a world where you don't want to stay too long," adds Olivier de Kersauson. More pleasant weather greets crews as they head northwards across the Atlantic but they still have to be on their guard. There are still many traps with the Doldrums, the Azores anticyclone ready to catch unwary navigators before heading across the Bay of Biscay to the finish.