There are currently two experienced French sailors attempting to set around the world sailing records. Francis Joyon is attempting to set the record for fastest solo circumnavigation. Jean Luc Van Den Heede is making another atttempt at the solo circumnavigation record against the prevailing winds.

After the duo of (crazy?) Frenchman sailed down the Atlantic they are now in separate oceans. Van Den Heede is in the South Pacific, while Joyon sails the Indian Ocean.

Joyon is still showing excellent form on his solo trimaran voyage. His time at the 2nd reference point-Cape of Good Hope- was 19 days 20 hours. This is nearly 2 days faster than when the same boat sailed the same course with crew. According to the Daily Sail, Joyon is 3350 miles ahead of the record.

VDH rounded Cape Horn for the 10th time, in 32 days with a lead of nearly 6 days on record pace. Since then he’s been becalmed, sailed thru a low pressure, contrasting ends of the weather spectrum.

Both are headed for Cape Leeuwin on the SW tip of Australia. Joyon will be heading east when passing it, while VDH will be on a westerly course.

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