Pointe-à-Pitre, November 10^th 2014. What could be more exciting than to partner the world’s largest racing trimaran? Following in the wake of accomplishments in which technologies and people join forces, the encounter between Zenith and Spindrift racing takes on its full meaning on the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe. It was only natural that Zenith should pay tribute to this exceptional human adventure by enriching its El Primero line with a timepiece featuring a chronograph function: the El Primero Stratos Spindrift racing. 

This is the watch that was worn by French sailor Yann Guichard aboard the Spindrift 2 maxi trimaran flying Zenith’s colours. The skipper achieved a true feat by completing an Atlantic crossing alone aboard a trimaran designed to be sailed by a 14-member crew!

Fit as a fiddle, but with a weathered face lined by the rigours of the race, Yann set foot on dry ground 14 hours 10 minutes 14 seconds after Loïck Peyron. “It really was an incredible battle,” he said. “This Route du Rhum was played out shortly after the start, on the first night…”.

Exhausted but delighted to have crossed the Atlantic solo, Yann was welcomed by his partner, Dona Bertarelli, co-founder and skipper of the Spindrift racing team, as well as his team, all keenly aware of the feat he had accomplished and naturally proud of their sailor!

Competing the “Ultime” category which consists of very large yachts, he was confronted as were his competitors by particularly difficult conditions at the beginning of the race, with winds of up to 40 knots and over five-metre waves “It goes without saying that it is tough physically; I have never been so sleep deprived in my life nor more physically challenged” he admitted three days into the race. Spindrift 2 also suffered in the wild, freezing swells of the North Atlantic: “You feel the boat’s pain with every wave, and you have the impression it will disintegrate from being tossed and banged about,” said Yann at that point. “It’s really violent, especially given the size of the boat. The bow rises by about 15 metres – it’s quite awe-inspiring.” 

After hugging the coast of Madeira, in the middle of last week, the solo sailors picked up the north-easterly trade winds, the warmer, stable winds that blow towards the American continent. But there was a surprise in store for them. The wind remained fairly wild until the finish line, forcing the sailors to make a great many adjustments according to its strength and direction. 

The final hours of the race were very taxing. Already worn out by a week at sea and severely sleep deprived, Yann Guichard then had to battle against irregular winds downwind of Guadeloupe, a few miles from the finish line which finally felt like a deliverance. 

“Yann demonstrated incredible tenacity as well as a great deal of courage in controlling his exceptional maxi trimaran, and we are proud of him,” said Zenith CEO, Aldo Magada. “This Route du Rhum was particularly difficult and he fought to the very end. I would also like to congratulate Loïck Peyron, who is a great champion! Zenith has accompanied adventurers for the past 150 years. The interactions between men who live their passions and the brand with the guiding star star have been imprinted in the Manufacture’s genes since its creation in 1865 and thanks to men like Yann, will remain so for a long time to come.”

Whether it comes to flying with the first man to break the sound barrier in free fall, Felix Baumgartner; setting new sailing records by supporting Spindrift racing; dribbling with basketball playmaker Russell Westbrook; or supporting the greatest rock ‘n roll band of all time, the Rolling Stones, Zenith is at the heart of the important events of its time – wherever there is a desire to push back boundaries and where humankind writes history. 

In 2015, Spindrift 2 will be seeking to conquer a new peak in offshore sailing with an attempt on the round-the-world speed record. Yann and his team will be with Zenith to take up the challenge!