As they begin their final full day at sea in this attempt to win the Jules Verne Trophy, IDEC SPORT is heading for Brest at the sort of speeds we have come to expect from her, sailing at full speed on a direct route. Sébastien Audigane said this morning that they were “climbing up and down the slopes off Lisbon.” 350 miles from Cape Finisterre, Francis Joyon and his men are on the final stretch of their round the world voyage. Sailing at more than 30 knots, they are clocking up the miles and making it look very easy. They are still expected tomorrow morning at the finish line off Ushant, where they will grab the prestigious outright round the world record after just over forty days of sailing.

“Under slightly starry skies, pushed along by a strong southerly, IDEC SPORT is climbing up and down the slopes off Lisbon. We’re on the home strait towards the coast of Finistère. The wind is expected to veer in the Bay of Biscay. The final night of reaching looks rough and wet. For the moment, we are sailing quickly but safely. The seas are not too heavy and we are managing to get some sleep. Everything is fine aboard our mighty race boat.”