Taking advantage of a weather window while sailing in the Mediterranean, François Gabart decided not to miss the opportunity: “We have to be in Tunisia this Sunday and it turns out that there is a mistral wind. So we thought of going to find the wind in Marseille. In any case It’s great training for sailing in strong wind conditions. Looking at the data, we think we’re able to get across in pretty good times, even touching the puck. So why not give it a try. I know it’s not easy to beat, either solo or with a crew. In 2016 we were almost a month on hold in Marseille without a window, so I think it’s great to try something. In any case, we have to go to Tunisia, it’s on the program, so we’ll try to go from the most beautiful way possible, that is, pushing the boat to the maximum”.
With a crew of five sailors, the trimaran “SVR Lazartigue” will try to beat the record set in 2010 by Pascal Bidégorry with a crew of 12, who this time is also aboard Gabart’s Ultim 32/23; who are accompanied by Antoine Gautier, director of the design office, collaborator and member of the skipper’s crew for more than 10 years, Emilien Lavigne, engineer of the design office, responsible for the electronics and computing of the SVR Trimaran Lazartigue and Guillaume Gatefait, team average.
“Pascal and Antoine were going to arrive directly in Tunisia as part of the Tour of the Mediterranean. I think it’s great that we have this opportunity and that Pascal is with us to try to improve his own time, I’m very happy. We can also count on his experience in matter of records and with his qualities and abilities to move this ship forward. We couldn’t ask for a better skill set”; commented Gabart
Everyone is unanimous that this record is going to be difficult to beat and Pascal Bidegorry, who is delighted to try to break his own record, does not hide the difficulty of the task: “12 years have passed and it is high time! If we can improve history and if I can do it with François, I’m delighted, but he’s not won and it’s going to be intense! The first 3 or 4 hours should be difficult with strong winds and a sea with short waves”.
Finally, today, Sunday May 29, 2022, Francois Gabart and his crew have broken the record by setting a record of 13 hours, 53 minutes and 37 seconds between Marseille and Carthage at an average speed of 33.7 knots.
As is often said of “carambola” the feat of the trimaran «SVR Lazartigue».
