The Famous Project is a Jules Verne challenge like no other… three million Euro annual budget, a handpicked team of world class female sailors including Alexia Barrier and co-skipper Dee Caffari, and several missions to complete. They have also secured the fastest sailing boat around the world – the current Jules Verne record-holder – the 100ft (31.5m) Ultim trimaran Idec Sport in which Francis Joyon broke the world record in 2017 with a time of 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds.
When Barrier (44) launched the 2025 Jules Verne campaign in June this year, with support from the project’s founding partners – CIC and IDEC – the team’s intentions were crystal clear. As well as smashing the Jules Verne record, The Famous Project’s assault on the challenge is also to break the current male domination of the record. It’s a campaign that will no doubt resonate with women all around the world. One of its key focus points is to highlight the obstacles girls and