Jules Verne Trophy attempt abandoned.After five days at sea, averaging 25 knots, with a 345 mile lead over the current Jules Verne record holder - Bruno Peyron's Orange 2 - Franck Cammas and his nine crew aboard the giant trimaran Groupama 3 have abandoned their quest to claim the Jules Verne Trophy after sustaining damage. The boat is now headed to Cape Town for repairs. They crew hopes to restart from France in January.
The trophy was offered to the first yacht to sail around the world in less than 80 days. Phileas Fogg went around the globe in 79 days 6 hours 15 minutes and 56 seconds. The current holder is Orange II skippered by Bruno Peyron in 50 days 16 hours 20 minutes and 4 seconds.
The race rules are wonderfully simple:
Route
- The Jules Verne Trophy's starting point is defined by an imaginary line between the Créac'h lighthouse on Ouessant (Ushant) Island,France, and the Lizard Lighthouse, UK. Circumnavigate the world leaving the capes of Good Hope, Leeuwin, and Horn to port. Cross the starting line in the opposite direction.
- The starting line is open as of the official ratification of the trophy's rules by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.
Rules
- Propulsion of the boat must solely be by natural forces of the wind and of the crew.
- The Jules Verne trophy is open to any type of boat with no restrictions.
- Crew size is not restricted.
- The circumnavigation must be completed non-stop and with no physical outside assistance.
- Challengers must respect safety rules.
