The info fell on Friday.
And we must admit that she surprised.
After twenty years of a great shared adventure, with records galore, including that of the Jules Verne trophy (a crewed round the world race) in 2017, and a great victory in the Route du rhum 2018, the company Idec has decided to put end to his collaboration with Francis Joyon.
The 66-year-old menhir maxi-trimaran should be entrusted to Alexia Barrier, 24th in the Vendée globe 2020-2021, who will set off on the hunt for the Jules Verne Trophy record with a crew that is all female.
As he explained during an interview given to our colleagues from Telegram, Francis Joyon learned the news at the end of February.
“
That's life.
We have experienced great things with Idec, but there is an end to everything.
We are not going to dwell on what is happening
, "he said, refusing" to push " his partner: "
In the work, when we no longer give satisfaction to the boss, he finds someone another that will give more satisfaction.
It's as simple as that and I can understand it.
I will never say anything negative about Idec.
»
No Ultim available this year
True to his values, but perhaps not always easy to manage for a company that does not have the same codes as him, Francis Joyon therefore wants to turn the page without making waves, this is not the kind of house , and above all find a sponsor, and therefore a boat, to start again on this Jules Verne Trophy, of which he still has the best time (in 40 days 23 hours 30 minutes and 30 seconds).
“
I have already contacted Spindrift (led by Yann Guichard) to find out if their boat could be available with a view to a Jules-Verne Trophy next fall, but it is not free (…) There is also Gitana 17 (skippered by Charles Caudrelier) who could also free up at some point, but not right away.
So there's no Ultim available in 2023, that's kind of what I'm struggling with
“, also entrusted the extraordinary sailor to the Telegram.
At 66, he clearly does not want to retire...