Ambitious spindle drift programme for 2022: Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard go on a record hunt

In addition to once again taking part in the TF35 racing series with high-tech catamarans, the Spindrift racing team of Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard is planning several record attempts this year. The maxi-trimaran "Sails of Change" will help to beat previous records. The most ambitious goal is the battle for the Jules Verne Trophy for the fastest circumnavigation of the world under sail. The trophy is currently held by Francis Joyon and his crew of six, who circumnavigated the globe in 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds on "Idec Sport" in 2017. Since then, several racing teams, including Gitana with the "Maxi Edmond de Rothschild", have been struggling to break the 40-day barrier. Technical problems and unfavourable weather conditions thwarted the latest attempts.

With some determination, Spindrift is now setting out to realise the elusive. Dona Bertarelli, sister of America's Cup winner and re-challenger Ernesto Bertarelli (Alinghi Red Bull Racing), businesswoman and sailor, is attacking in a proven partnership with skipper Yann Guichard. A new managing director has just been appointed for the power couple's ambitious project: Because predecessor Jean-Sébastien Proteau from Quebec, Canada, will be leading the newly formed team of his compatriots in the SailGP in future, Yann Guichard has secured the services of Sébastien Duclos for his team. The former deputy director of the Banque Populaire racing team also brings a wealth of experience from his work with the Imoca class and regatta management teams to Spindrift. Sébastien Duclos took up his new role on 21 February and said: "I have found a dynamic and very well organised team that is very committed to its projects."

Skipper Guichard says: "The TF35 (ed.: catamarans) are the latest generation of sophisticated high-tech foilers. They require superior flight control and precise coordination. We finished the first 2021 season in third place with newly delivered boats. We are extremely proud that we were able to compete so quickly with a new team. We would like to repeat this performance at this year's championship and see if we can improve on our 2021 results."

Commenting on the records being targeted, Guichard said: "We will go back into standby mode with our maxi trimaran 'Sails of Change' at the end of the year and hope for a favourable weather window for the Jules Verne Trophy. In addition to our training sessions, we will also go on standby from mid-April to mid-May, at the end of June and again in August for a series of potential record attempts, which we will select depending on the conditions. So we can decide whether to take the Discovery Route from Cadiz in Spain to San Salvador in the Bahamas, attack the 24-hour record or tackle the Round Britain and Ireland, Cowes-Dinard or Plymouth-La Rochelle. This variety of challenges appeals to us, even on the two different boats. Our crew is preparing both boats at the base camp in Saint Philibert in the south-west of Brittany so that they are ready in time for the first training missions." Click here to go to the Spindrift racing team website (please click!).