Alexia Barrier, the French skipper and seven female teammates will begin their Jules Verne Trophy quest on Saturday off the coasts of Brest. They aim to set the world's first non-stop circumnavigation time with an all-female team without any outside help.

Barrier first thought of "The Famous Project CIC" after she completed the 2020-2021 Vendee Globe. She was one 13 women to have ever done the non-stop, solo and unassisted around the world event. She came 24th.

The 46-year old skipper said, "When I saw Jules Verne figures with even fewer females than the Vendee globe, it inspired me to put together a all-female team to give women around world a chance."

Only 14 of the 250+ skippers who have attempted to start the Jules Verne Trophy were women, including the final all-women effort led by British sailor Tracy Edwards, in 1998. The boat was eventually demasted near Cape Horn.

Denise Caffari from Britain, who finished sixth in the Vendee Globe 2008-2009 and was the first woman in history to sail non-stop around the globe in both directions in solo sailing, joined Barrier's project first.

Caffari said, "I couldn't resist such a crazy concept." Caffari said, "It seemed like a crazy idea that was out of reach. But here was someone with an innovative idea to bring it within reach. It was really special."

Barrier received more than 300 applications.

Barrier said that it was surprising, particularly since women from Korea, Japan, and the U.S., who were employed in other fields, responded. Knowing that it ignited a fire in them was deeply touching.

International Crew

The team was presented officially last summer, with Annemieke BES, Rebecca Gmuer (Swiss-New Zealander), Deborah Blair (Britain), Molly Lapointe (American-Italian), Tamara Echegoyen from Spain, and Stacey Jackson, Australia, joining Barrier and Caffari as a global crew.

Barrier stated that it was important to him to have a crew of international members to reach as many people possible.

The crew will be sailing the 32-metre Idec Sport triaran that Francis Joyon skippered in 2017, and which won three Route du Rhum Transatlantic single-handed races between 2010 and 2014.

Barrier: "Idec Sport has always been the boat I've dreamed about. It has fascinated me and I didn't think I would be captaining this boat one day."

In order to break the record they must circumnavigate the globe in less than 40 days, 23 hour, 30 minutes, and 30 seconds.

Caffari stated that the first achievement will be on Saturday when they reach the starting line.

It's not a thing you should do lightly. We'll be going through very difficult conditions and weather.

Barrier hopes to reach the finish line "in less than 50 days", or "in a reasonable time". (Reporting and editing by Ken Ferris; Vincent Daheron)

(source: Reuters)