Francis Joyon and his big red Trimaran Idec II will be back on the start line of the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race on Saturday 19th June. He will be hoping to beat his unbroken record of 3.08.29, set in 2001.

At 30 metres in length Idec II weighs only 11 tons with a mast height of 32 metres. Francis entered her again last year, coming in 26th overall with a time of 7.46.10. He is hoping for better winds and a much faster time this year and says that he keeps returning to this Race because he has many sailing friends who also do it and he finds racing in the Solent ‘exotic’.

When asked what other racing plans he has for 2010, he says he will also be entering the Route du Rhum starting in October.

The Island Sailing Club, organisers of the Round the Island Race, say entries close at midnight on 29th May. You can enter online at www.roundtheisland.org.uk