Joyon’s record bid hits snag

French yachtsman Francis Joyon’s dream of breaking the trans-Atlantic single-handed record was put on hold after he damaged his giant trimaran in a collision before even reaching the start line at New York.

The setback occurred just as Joyon was about to embark on the ocean voyage, chasing the record of five days, 19 hours, 30 minutes and 40 seconds, set in 2008 by compatriot Thomas Coville, a spokeswoman said.

Joyon, 55, was approaching the starting line at Ambrose lighthouse in heavy rain and poor visibility when he discovered a crack in one of the cross-beams of the bright red trimaran “Idec,” she said.

“The skipper explained that they had apparently collided with a navigational buoy. The attempt at the record for crossing the Atlantic was therefore delayed.”

Joyon returned to the New York marina for repairs “that Francis will take care of alone,” the statement said.

He had been hoping to embark late Sunday, taking advantage of a depression that brought strong south-westerly winds. Travelling at about 25 knots, the 29.7m trimaran was set to cover 5,417 kilometres between the Big Apple and the Lizard headland in Cornwall, southwestern Britain.

It was unclear when the next opportunity for an attempt on the record might come.