Brest, January 26, 2026 – The all-female crew of The Famous Project CIC made sailing history this weekend by becoming the first 100% female team to complete a non-stop round-the-world voyage aboard a maxi-trimaran. After 57 days, 21 hours, and 20 minutes of intense sailing, the eight women crossed the finish line of the Trophée Jules Verne off Ouessant, just hours after the crew of Sodebo, aboard the legendary IDEC SPORT, a trimaran that already held the absolute record in 2017. A look back at an extraordinary human and sporting adventure, proving that determination and audacity know no gender.
Key Takeaways
- An unprecedented achievement: First non-stop circumnavigation by an all-female crew on a multihull.
- 57 days of challenges: Storms, damage, repairs at sea, and relentless winter weather.
- 8 women, 7 nationalities: An international team, combining Olympic experience and offshore expertise.
- IDEC SPORT: A legendary boat, former holder of the Trophée Jules Verne record (40 days in 2017).
- A legacy: 27 years after Tracy Edwards’ abandonment, The Famous Project CIC crew succeeds where no one had persevered.
The Journey of an Exceptional Adventure
1. The Atlantic: A High-Tension Start
On November 28, 2025, Alexia Barrier and her crew set off from Ouessant with one clear goal: break nothing. Caution was essential to avoid the pitfalls of the North Atlantic, known for its violent winds and chaotic waves. Despite difficult conditions, the team crossed the equator in 8 days and 3 hours, despite a particularly capricious doldrums.
Challenges faced:
- Unpredictable winds and violent squalls.
- A stuck mainsail hook: Every reefing maneuver became a puzzle, forcing the crew to lower the sail completely for each adjustment.
2. The Indian Ocean: Speed and Resilience
After passing the Cape of Good Hope (day 17), the crew faced one of the most feared oceans: the Indian Ocean. Between the Agulhas Current, monster waves, and violent depressions, navigation was both physical and technical.
Key moments:
- Christmas at sea: On December 24, the team rounded Cape Leeuwin (Australia), a symbolic gift after a record week (nearly 700 miles in 24 hours).
- A fishing net caught in the starboard foil, temporarily reducing the trimaran’s performance.
3. The Pacific: The Ultimate Test
The Pacific tested the crew’s mental and physical resilience. After rounding Point Nemo (the point farthest from any land), the sailors passed where Tracy Edwards had to abandon in 1998.
Major trials:
- Cape Horn rounded on January 6: 11 days of crossing from Australia, under 8-meter waves and 50-knot gusts.
- Mainsail tears: The crew improvised a repair workshop at sea, sewing and reinforcing the sail under extreme conditions.
4. The Return to the Atlantic: A Thrilling Finish
The last 1,000 miles were the toughest:
- The mainsail exploded after 55 days at sea.
- Starboard foil out of service: No autopilot, manual navigation under reduced sails.
- A winter storm awaited them as they approached Brittany.
Quote: “If it were easy, everyone would do it!” – Dee Caffari, 1,000 miles from the finish.
The Crew: Diverse Profiles, One Shared Passion
| Name | Age | Nationality | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexia Barrier | 46 | France | Captain, experienced navigator |
| Dee Caffari | 53 | United Kingdom | Record holder, 6 round-the-world races |
| Annemieke Bes | 47 | Netherlands | Olympic medalist (470) |
| Rebecca Gmür Hornell | 25 | Switzerland/NZL | Offshore prodigy |
| Deborah Blair | 23 | United Kingdom | Rising talent |
| Molly LaPointe | 28 | USA/Italy | Versatile, experience in ocean and inshore racing |
| Támara Echegoyen | 41 | Spain | Olympic champion (Elliott 6m) |
| Stacey Jackson | 41 | Australia | Pacific specialist |
IDEC SPORT: An Exceptional Trimaran
- Length: 31.50 m
- Width: 22.50 m
- Mast: 33.50 m
- Palmarès: Holder of the Trophée Jules Verne record (2017, Francis Joyon).
Why This Achievement Is Historic
- 1998: Tracy Edwards and her all-female crew abandoned near New Zealand.
- 2026: The Famous Project CIC proves that perseverance pays off, even in the most extreme conditions.
- A powerful message: Women’s sailing writes a new chapter in its history, inspiring future generations.