Francis Joy-ful (From Daily Echo)
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Francis Joy-ful
in Round the Island Race
By Will Carson
LINE HOUNOURS: Francis Joyon (left)
RECORD-breaking Frenchman Francis Joyon bolstered his trophy cabinet by steering the multihull IDEC to the line honours at the 79th JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race.
Joyon set the race record of 3.08.29 hours for the 55-mile race in 2001 and in lighter winds circled the Isle of Wight in 4.24.05hrs.
The 54-year-old led home over 1,700 boats and 16,000 competitors, with Oman Sail the Wave Muscat crossing the line second and Oman Sail Masirah third.
And Joyon, who broke Dame Ellen MacArthur’s solo world circumnavigation record in 2007, admitted the first place finish made up for the frustration of missing out on a new record. He said: “When we saw the weather forecast, we understood it was not possible to break the record.
“But we are here for the fun of sailing, although it is great to come in first.
“Every time we come it is a pleasure to come to visit the Isle of Wight. It is a great place for sailing.”
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