Francis Joyon (FRA) start in Brest.

Thierry et Eric in a cold heli in Molene.

On Friday 23 Nov , Francis Joyon (FRA) left BREST (FRA) for a SOLO NON-STOP ROUND THE WORLD attempt. 

The only serious way to do  multihull images is from helicopter.

So I left on thursday afternoon  with Eric Oger (Pilot) and my friend Thierry Dubois as assistant. On the way north we did images of Thomas Coville who was sailing back home after a 24h training on his maxi-multi "SODEB'O".

It was first time for Thierry Dubois to be in an helicopter  during a photo-shoot. Last time he have been in an heli , was when Australian navy helicopter come to save him in souhtern ocean during Vendee Globe  (January 1997). 

After a night on Molene Island, we take off to be on the starting line on time.

Francis did not use the same starting line than Ellen did 3 years ago. Francis left from "Le Petit Minou" lighthouse , as Ellen ( and all Jules Verne attempt use Ushant line).

It was sunny and light wind. Only 3 boats was there. ( How many when he will come with a new record, in Feb?)

Short video made with my new Canon G9

50mn after start we land on a very small island, so I have been able to send by 3G few images to press and webs.

First plan was to stop in Sein island, but sky was not very blue , so I decided to do a second shoot over Francis's boat before going back home.

Nearly 5h heli to do that job. Thanks to Eric , and Thierry for navigation, not so easy to find a sailing boat in open sea.

Have a look on my website for Thomas Coville and Francis Joyon images..... thmartinez.com