Famous Project becomes first all-female crew to sail around the world nonstop

The Famous Project became the first all-female crew to complete a non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the globe on a multihull, finishing in 57 days, 22 hours, and 20 minutes after crossing between Ushant and Lizard Point on Monday.yachtingworld
The eight-person international crew, led by skippers Alexia Barrier and Dee Caffari, overcame a damaged starboard foil, torn mainsail, and 45-knot winds from Storm Ingrid to complete the Jules Verne Trophy course aboard the 20-year-old maxi trimaran.yachtingworld
The time does not beat the official record—set just one day earlier by Thomas Coville at 40 days, 10 hours—but establishes a historic benchmark after the only previous all-female attempt, Tracy Edwards’ Royal & Sun Alliance, dismasted in the Southern Ocean in 1998.yachtingworld

Famous Project Becomes First All-Female Crew to Complete Jules Verne Trophy

Eight women aboard the maxi trimaran IDEC Sport crossed the finish line between Ushant and Lizard Point at noon on Monday, becoming the first all-female crew in sailing history to complete a non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the globe on a multihull. The Famous Project finished their Jules Verne Trophy bid in 57 days, 22 hours, and 20 minutes after departing on November 29, 2025.yachtingworld

While their time does not challenge the official record—set just one day earlier by Thomas Coville and his crew on Sodebo Ultim 3 at 40 days, 10 hours, and 45 minutes—the accomplishment establishes an unprecedented benchmark for women in offshore ocean racing.sailingscuttlebutt

Overcoming Equipment Failures

Led by former Vendée Globe sailor Alexia Barrier and British co-skipper Dee Caffari, the international crew battled a cascade of equipment failures throughout their voyage. Steering issues and mainsail halyard problems emerged early, followed by a collision with fishing gear that damaged their starboard foil beyond repair after rounding Cape Horn on January 6.yacht

The most devastating blow came on January 21, when their mainsail tore in half during strong winds. Storm Ingrid’s 45-knot gusts further shredded the damaged sail, leaving the crew to complete their final 1,000 miles with little more than headsails and the wingmast.yachtingworld

“If it were easy, everyone would do it!” Caffari remarked as the crew pressed on. Barrier remained steadfast despite the setback: “We’re not worried. We’re solid, we’re united. Heads up, we’ll make it”.sail-world

A Gap in History Filled

The Famous Project sailed the former IDEC Sport, a 20-year-old non-foiling maxi trimaran that once held the Jules Verne Trophy record. The only previous all-female attempt on the record—Tracy Edwards’ Royal & Sun Alliance—dismasted in the Southern Ocean in 1998. In total, just 14 female sailors had ever attempted a Jules Verne Trophy circumnavigation before this voyage.themaidenfactor

For Caffari, 52, this marked her seventh circumnavigation—making her the most experienced ocean racer on the crew. She was joined by Annemieke Bes of the Netherlands, Swiss-New Zealander Rebecca Gmür Hornell, Americans Deborah Blair and Molly LaPointe, Spanish Olympic sailor Támara Echegoyen, and Australian Stacey Jackson.sail-world

Shortly before the finish, Caffari posted an adapted Theodore Roosevelt quote on Facebook: “The credit belongs to the woman who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly… who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement”.yachtingworld

The crew was expected to dock at Quai Malbert in Brest later Monday evening.sail-world