Richard Mille is delighted to announce a new challenge of high performance on the high seas. The brand is getting on board The Famous Project, initiated by world-renowned sailor Alexia Barrier. Beyond the athletic aspect of the challenge, the project is also reaching new heights in seafaring.
The Richard Mille Brand has taken on a range of challenges and is highly involved in motor sports, particularly Formula 1 with McLaren and Ferrari, as well as endurance sports, with the Richard Mille Racing Team. The Brand is also a familiar sight on tennis courts and golf courses, working alongside major athletes wherever it goes.
Its goal is to drive progress in terms of technical achievements and attitudes. Concretely, the project sets to circumnavigate the globe with an all-female team, without stopping and without support, for the next Jules Verne Trophy. To do so, The Famous Project is bringing together an international crew of ten bold female sailors on a 32-metre maxi-trimaran. Their hope is to set a first women’s record time for this sailing circumnavigation, with the dream being to beat the current world speed record for the Jules Verne Trophy. This is no small feat, but Alexia Barrier is no small fry, as a skipper with more than 20 years of experience under her belt, including 18 transatlantic voyages – five alone – and a finish in the 2020 Vendée Globe, for a lifetime total of 200,000 nautical miles sailed.
To rise to their challenge, Alexia Barrier and her crew will tame the waves on what can only be described as a Formula 1 ship, the Ultim Trimaran IDEC SPORT. This is the fastest maxi-trimaran in the world to date, having proven its worth when Francis Joyon sailed the current world record of the Jules Verne Trophy on it in 2017, at 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds.
‘This was my dream boat for this ambitious project which, outside of the sporting aspect, intends to give women the same tools as men to win such demanding races. The Famous Project is therefore a societal project that perfectly sums up our mantras: dare, dream, share.’ Alexia Barrier
For Richard Mille, supporting such causes is a rule more than an exception, and it is constantly seeking to branch out. The usual need for speed is still here, but this time on the water rather than the tarmac. And Richard Mille is also no stranger to the sailing universe, having worked in the past with the Voiles de Saint-Barth and also recently created its own regatta, the Richard Mille Cup.
‘Richard Mille is taking a new step in its extraordinary commitments to adventure, combining excellence, technology and performance – the three cornerstones of the Brand. Daring, setting challenges and taking risks: The Famous Project is letting us write a new page in our history of commitments to women. First and foremost, this project is being carried by the passion of all people involved. Alexia Barrier’s clear desire to outdo herself regardless of the game truly won us over.’ Amanda Mille, Brand & Partnerships Director.
‘I wanted to jump ahead and sail an Ultim to try and beat the current world sailing record. Our first challenge will be to train our crew of skippers who have never sailed a ship like this one. We need to forget what we know and start from scratch – this is the challenge ahead.’ Alexia Barrier
Richard Mille is proud to support this initiative that is as bold as it is brave, which is certain to rock the boat of the sailing world. It is a disruptive vision of the adventure that has guided Richard Mille for more than 20 years. The Famous Project is a new iteration of the effervescence and enthusiasm that we have always sworn by.
Alexia is the visionary leader of the groundbreaking The Famous Project. Driven by her unwavering leadership and commitment to her core values of sustainability, innovation and perseverance, she is known for her relentless drive to set new records and push the boundaries.
Alexia thrives on combining sailing with education and environmental protection. Not only has she collected vital data on the state of the world’s most remote ocean areas, but she has also raised awareness among 20,000 young people about how to better protect our planet’s waters.
Sailing with her family since the age of 12 in the South of France, it wasn’t until the age of 25 that she took up solo ocean racing, having been ranked 4th in the world in Match Racing at the age of 18. As a child, she admired Bruno Peyron, three-time winner of the prestigious Jules Verne Trophy, and imagined herself following in his footsteps. At the age of 43, she is ready for the adventure.
A seasoned sailor, Alexia has already covered more than 200,000 nautical miles, including the Transat ag2r, the Tour de France à la Voile, the IMOCA Route du Rhum, the Transat Jacques Vabre and the prestigious Vendée Globe race.
Alexia is a dynamic and formidable leader, who has put her heart and soul into the challenge of this ambitious world record and galvanised a team of incredible women to enter the record books. She is committed to scientific research initiatives linked to the project and is determined to leave a positive legacy in sport for women and the planet.
Always faster, always bigger could be Alexia Barrier’s motto.
“People used to tell me that it was rubbish to set off in an Ultimate class, that it was inaccessible and too expensive? I listened to this advice and tried to prepare myself for a new Vendée Globe, but I just wasn’t in phase with this project. It’s the Jules Verne Trophy and the maxi trimaran that I’m dreaming of.’
PALMARÈS
Read more about The Famous Project here.
