Francis Joyon capsizes his ORMA trimaran in the Route du Rhum

Francis Joyon capsized southwest of Ireland on Monday 2 November during the Route du Rhum, where he was sailing in the classic multihull class. According to Yachting World, which reported the incident that same day, he is said to be safe. A rescue operation was underway at the time of the report.

According to the magazine, Joyon was leading his class when the accident occurred. He was sailing a classic 60-foot ORMA trimaran. No further details have yet been reported about the cause of the capsize or the recovery of the boat.

Veteran in a notorious class

Joyon won the Route du Rhum in 2018 in the Ultime class aboard IDEC Sport, after one of the most dramatic finishes in the transatlantic race’s history.

ORMA 60 trimarans dominated offshore racing during the 1990s and early 2000s, but were known for their small margins for error. After several capsizes and breakages, particularly during the 2002 Route du Rhum, concerns about safety grew as costs and insurance premiums rose. By the end of the 2000s, sponsors and skippers had withdrawn, and the class gradually disappeared.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.