In the footsteps of Philéas Fogg

The Jules Verne Trophy was inspired by the exploits of the famous fictional explorer from Around the World in Eighty Days. The challenge is to beat the record which is currently held by Bruno Peyron who circled the globe in 64 days, 8 hours, 37 minutes in 2002. In 1993 Bruno Peyron was the first to beat the mark of 80 day markin just over 79 days and he was then followed by Peter Blake and finally by Olivier de Kersauson who , in 1997, crossed the line back in 71 days 14 hours, 22 minutes and 8 seconds.

Ever since man discovered that the earth is round he has nourished the dream of circumnavigating it as quickly as possible. In the early 1990s two navigators, Titouan Lamazou and Florence Arthaud took up the idea of French skipper Yves Le Cornec and created the Jules Verne Trophy. The challenge: beat the record of Philéas Fogg, the famous character from Jules Verne's novel, and circle the world in under 80 days. Lamazou's solo record in a single-hull vessel was then 109 days but both navigators were convinced that the record could be beaten with crewed multi-hulls.

The rules are simple: candidates can choose the boat they sail and the date they want to depart. The start and finish line runs between Lizard Point and Ouessant in Brittany. The route takes navigators due south, around the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Leewin and on to Cape Horn on the homeward leg. "In theory you are right Monsieur Fogg, but in practice..." In practice navigators must maintain an average speed of 14.32 knots if the 26,000-mile voyage is to be completed within the time limit.

In January 1993 three crews set sail for adventure. Breton Olivier de Kersauson was the first to cast off on board his 27-metre trimaran "Charal" (an extensively modified version of "Un Autre Regard" - the boat with which he sailed solo around the world). He was followed six days later by fellow Breton Bruno Peyron on his catamaran Commodore Explorer (formerly Jet Services V, and holder of the transatlantic record) and New Zealander Peter Blake on his catamaran Enza.

The boats rounded the Cape of Good Hope after 23 days and were already 72 hours ahead of the forecast schedule.
Conditions in the Roaring Forties were particularly testing with winds gusting at up to 70 knots and waves of 15 metres. Charal ran into a block of ice and one of the floats was ripped forcing Olivier de Kersauson and his crew out of the race. The same fate awaited Enza and Peter Blake had to admit defeat.

On board the Commodore Explorer, Bruno Peyron spoke of conditions "closer to survival than an attempt to break a record." Skipper and crew narrowly escaped capsizing when rounding Cape Horn in winds of up to 80 knots. Exhausted, they headed north across the Atlantic and prepared to face its many traps. They lost time off the Brazilian coast where winds dropped dramatically. Finally, they crossed the finish line on 31 January 1993 having completed the round the world voyage in 79 days, 6 hours and 15 minutes.

Kersauson and Blake decided to take up the challenge once again. The trimaran Charal, modified and renamed Lyonnaise des Eaux - Dumez, and the extended catamaran Enza set sail on 16 January 1994 for a duel on the high seas. After a week the New Zealander was 6 hours ahead of the time set by Bruno Peyron and 39 ahead of Kersauson. The gap grew and by 8 February the Lyonnaise des Eaux - Dumez was 1,300 miles behind its rival. In the Fifties Olivier de Kersauson achieved a tremendous exploit and beat the 24-hour record by covering 524.6 miles. Enza was losing its lead but was still 26 hours ahead when rounding Cape Horn. On the northward Atlantic crossing Peter Blake, guided by his American router Bob Rice, tacked to the east and reached the finish line on 1 April after 74 days, 22 hours, 17 minutes and 22 seconds at sea, beating Bruno Peyron's record by 4 days. Olivier de Kersauson arrived 2 days and 6 hours later, also beating the old record.

The Breton not content to rest on his laurels.
In 1995 he tried, in vain, to capture the Jules Verne Trophy. After two years of planning and development, he set sail on Sport Elec, his substantially improved trimaran with a new mast and high tech rigging. He also recruited Bob Rice as his router. He made a first attempt on 31 December 1996 but met with failure. After 17 days at sea he decided to turn back since conditions were not favourable for breaking the record. He cast off again on 31 December 1997. Winds were difficult and the southward Atlantic voyage was a true ordeal. Sport Elec was 4 days behind schedule when crossing the equator but Olivier de Kersauson refused to give in. He rounded Cape Horn one day ahead of Enza and headed home to victory. He crossed the finish line after 71 days, 14 hours, 22 minutes and 8 seconds.

As Jules Verne said, "Once an exploit is talked about, it becomes possible."