From Groupama to Idec Sport: The story of an exceptional trimaran

Some boats stand above the rest. Boats that are well-born, well-skippered, and well-managed. IDEC Sport, formerly Groupama 3, is one of the trimarans that will go down in offshore racing history. A look back at the story of a multihull with multiple records.

In the history of offshore racing, there are legendary boats, like the Pen Duicks or Olympus Photo, which define an era or a race. There are others, remembered for more tragic reasons. But one boat, just one, has left its mark on offshore racing with its multiple records over 15 years. This boat, undoubtedly one of the fastest in the world, is IDEC Sport, formerly Groupama 3 and Banque Populaire. Since 2006, this offshore racing trimaran has always been in the race and is even setting off on a new round-the-world voyage—this time with an all-female crew.

Key Points

• A legendary trimaran: Groupama 3 → Banque Populaire VII → IDEC Sport → The Famous Project CIC.
• A unique track record: 3 Jules Verne Trophies, 3 Route du Rhum victories, dozens of records.
• A new adventure: The first all-female crew on a maxi-trimaran of this size, aiming to break the round-the-world record.
• A symbol: IDEC Sport remains a boat open to the world, a bearer of innovation and self-transcendence.

Launched in 2006 as Groupama 3, this 31.50-meter maxi-trimaran, designed by VPLP Design, has made its mark on sailing and offshore racing history with its exceptional performance. Three-time winner of the Route du Rhum and holder of the Jules Verne Trophy three times, it was successively skippered by Franck Cammas, Loïck Peyron, and Francis Joyon, before becoming the platform for an unprecedented challenge: an all-female crew, led by Alexia Barrier, aiming to break the round-the-world crewed record, non-stop and unassisted. In short, an offshore racing sailboat that has become a legend.

This boat, often described as a “winning machine,” embodies technological excellence, reliability, and audacity. Its track record makes it a legend, but it is also its adaptability and ability to reinvent itself that command admiration.

The Origins: Groupama 3, a Trimaran Born for Records

1. Birth and First Victories

• 2006: Launch of Groupama 3, the result of a collaboration between skipper Franck Cammas and the Multiplast shipyard. This trimaran was designed to chase records and dominate ocean races.
• 2010: Victory in the Jules Verne Trophy (crewed round-the-world race) in 48 days, followed by a win in the Route du Rhum the same year, with Franck Cammas at the helm.

2. The Banque Populaire VII Era

• 2013: The trimaran was purchased by Banque Populaire and renamed Maxi Solo Banque Populaire VII. Under Loïck Peyron’s leadership, it won the Route du Rhum again in 2014, confirming its supremacy in both solo and crewed races.

The Francis Joyon and IDEC Sport Era: The Peak of Records

1. A New Sponsor, A New Dynamic

• 2015: The IDEC Group, a long-time partner of Francis Joyon, acquired the trimaran. It became IDEC Sport and began a series of records under the red colors of the Toulouse-based group.
• 2017: Francis Joyon and his crew (only 5 men) shattered the Jules Verne Trophy record in 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes, and 30 seconds—a time that remains the record to beat.

2. An Exceptional Track Record

• Three-time winner of the Route du Rhum (2010, 2014, 2018)
• Holder of the Jules Verne Trophy (2010, 2012, 2017)
• 24-hour distance records, Atlantic crossings, etc.
• 2018: Francis Joyon won a third Route du Rhum, further cementing the boat’s legend.

3. A Philosophy: Simplicity, Reliability, Performance

IDEC Sport stands out for its robustness and ability to be sailed both solo and with a reduced crew. Francis Joyon and his team have always favored simplicity and efficiency, an approach that has been the trimaran’s strength.

The Famous Project CIC: A New Chapter, 100% Female

1. Passing on a Legacy

• 2024: The IDEC Group and CIC joined forces to entrust the trimaran to Alexia Barrier and her project, The Famous Project CIC. The goal? To assemble an all-female crew to tackle the Jules Verne Trophy, a challenge never before undertaken by women under these conditions.
• May 2025: Official launch of the trimaran after a complete refit at Multiplast in Vannes. The boat was inspected, optimized, and given a new graphic livery, designed by Jean-Baptiste Epron, which pays tribute to its history while asserting its new identity.

2. An International and Determined Crew

• Alexia Barrier, skipper and initiator of the project, is surrounded by experienced sailors from diverse backgrounds. The crew, unveiled in September 2025, includes a variety of profiles, united by the same ambition: to make sailing history.
• October 2025: Intensive training begins in preparation for the departure, scheduled for the end of the year, depending on weather windows.

3. A Sporting and Societal Challenge

The Famous Project CIC is not just about breaking a record. It also carries a strong message: to show that women’s sailing can compete with the best, on a legendary boat. CIC, the title partner, supports this adventure, which embodies the values of audacity, resilience, and team spirit.