idec trimaran francis joyon

Francis Joyon breaks the 24 hour solo sailing record aboard his 29m trimaran yacht IDEC

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Written by Zuzana Bednarova

Yesterday evening saw the French sailor Francis Joyon break the new 24 hour speed record aboard his 29-metre impressive trimaran yacht IDEC reaching an average speed of 27,83 knots (awaiting ratification from the World Speed Sailing Record Council) . 668 nautical miles. 1237 kilometres. That is the new 24 hour distance record for the sailing yacht IDEC skippered by a solo sailor.

Francis Joyon's 29m trimaran yacht IDEC Photo credit: JEAN-MARIE LIOT / DPPI/IDEC

Francis Joyon set off from la Trinité-sur-Mer in Brittany last Friday to head for the Azores to look for ideal conditions to tackle the record set by Thomas Coville, who sailed 628.5 nautical miles in 2008 on his second attempt at the round the world record, still held by Francis.

“I had to look for the ideal conditions, which I only managed to find before in the Indian Ocean with steady, strong winds, preferably ahead of a front, in order to benefit from relatively calm seas… So I headed off around 800 miles west of Cape Finisterre, on the edge of the Azores high. I set off with a south-westerly wind, but from the start I had to deal with a swell coming in the other direction from the north.

I gave it my all and after a certain length of time, the swell eased off and the wind strengthened to 32 knots. It was extremely risky. The boat was constantly on the edge. I wasn’t at the helm. I stayed there for 24 hours standing in the cockpit with the mainsail sheet in one hand and the solent sheet in the other. When the boat dug into a wave, I eased off one or the other. But I often had to ease them both off at the same time. There was no rest. I just swallowed down a few cereal bars to feed myself.”

Francis Joyon - a skipper of IDEC superyacht Photo Credit: FRANCOIS VAN MALLEGHEM / DPPI / IDEC

These words from Joyon himself sum up the scenario and how he achieved this special record. With peak speeds of 34 knots, the sailor from Locmariaquer has added another item to his long list of successful records. In 2004 he previously held the record aboard his former trimaran yacht IDEC.

He took the reference time to 613.5 miles (average speed of 25.56 knots) during his successful round the world record attempt in 2007. Thomas Coville then grabbed the record from him in the following year covering 619 miles at an average speed of 25.80 knots near the Kerguelens. The very same Thomas Coville aboard his 32-metre trimaran yacht then beat his own record, sailing 628.5 miles at 26.2 knots in December 2008.

“I would have been happy to beat this record by just a few miles”, added Francis. “But almost 40 miles! I’m over the moon. I’m particularly pleased as I haven’t sailed that much since capsizing last year during my transatlantic record attempt. IDEC underwent a lot of decent work in the yard during the winter. But the mast is the same one that broke in half, when she capsized. As for the sails, they are the original ones, which have already clocked up 90,000 miles. Going beyond the numbers, I was able to enjoy a truly magical moment. Being able to sail such a machine and get the full potential out of her is extraordinary. That’s what I kept telling myself, as I zoomed by cargo ships sending the spray flying.”

Francis Joyon aboard his 29m sailing yacht IDEC Photo credit: DON EMMERT / AFP PHOTO / DPPI

Extract from Francis Joyon’s list of achievements:

2010: – 2nd in the Route du Rhum – La Banque Postale

2009: – Record between France and Mauritius with a time of 26 days 4 hours 13 minutes and 29 seconds (initial reference time) – Winner of the Round Belle-Ile Race

2008: – Columbus Route record with a time of 9 days 20 hours 35 minutes and 3 seconds (record still holds) – Outright solo round the world record with a time of 57 days 13 hours 34 minutes and 6 seconds (record still holds)

2007: – English Channel record with a time of 6 hours, 23 minutes and 36 seconds (record still holds)

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Francis Joyon and the maxi-trimaran IDEC Sport back on the Discovery Route

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Francis Joyon sets new Hong Kong-London record on IDEC Sport

• Chris Jefferies
• February 19, 2020

French skipper Francis Joyon added yet another world sailing record to his collection this morning

IDEC Sport sailed under the QE2 bridge at 0737 GMT to set a new Hong Kong to London record of 31 days, 23 hours, 36 minutes and 46 seconds, shaving more than 4 days off Giovanni Soldini’s record, which was set on Maserati in 2018.

Joyon and his crew of Bertrand Delesne, Christophe Houdet, Antoine Blouet and Corentin Joyon sailed a total distance of more than 15,873 miles for an average speed of 20.7 knots.

IDEC Sport ’s arrival was made all the more impressive as it came after a tricky overnight passage through the English Channel, navigated without the benefit of radar or AIS due to depleted batteries.

IDEC Sport skipper Francis Joyon faces the media in London after breaking the Tea Route record

Speaking to Yachting World at Butler’s Wharf, Joyon admitted that the last leg of the journey was the hardest: “We feel well now, but we had three very difficult nights before arriving in London and then we had to tack all the way into the Thames, so it was very tiring and there was not one minute of rest last night. We had no autopilot, no computer, nothing was working on board.”

The 31.5m trimaran IDEC Sport moored at Butler’s Wharf

“About five miles from the finish, there was a cargo ship alongside us and there was no space to tack, so we had to gybe and during the gybe there was maybe 20cm between us. The cargo ship did not stop, it was very, very dangerous.”

Another challenge that the IDEC Sport crew faced was a broken halyard, which required a crew member to climb the 33.5m mast to repair. The crew worked a 3-hour watch system and used a modified exercise bike to power the winches.

In keeping with the traditions of the clipper route, Joyon brought back a souvenir of his Asian tour: “There was a producer in Vietnam who gave us some tea, so if you want some we will sell it at a very good price!”

The Jules Verne Trophy holder was characteristically tight-lipped about his future sailing plans, adding: “We have no immediate projects with the boat. I just want to rest and have some time with my family.”

IDEC Sport: Francis Joyon and crew prepare for Hong Kong to London record attempt

• Offshore racing

Francis Joyon’s IDEC Sport maxi-trimaran is in Hong Kong ahead the start of a fully crewed attempt at the record for the Tea Route between Hong Kong and London at the end of this week.

After her recent record attempt and new reference time set between Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) and Hong Kong, the crew of the IDEC SPORT maxi-trimaran took advantage of the festive season to get some well-deserved rest.

After arriving back in Hong Kong late last week, the crew headed for Shenzhen, where the boat is currently taking part in promotional operations organised by the IDEC Group. The maxi-trimaran will be heading for Hong Kong on Thursday morning to go on stand-by for her attempt at the Tea Route record between Hong Kong and London, the fourth and final Act of the IDEC SPORT ASIAN TOUR, which may well start late this week.

After a tour of the boat and a presentation of the IDEC SPORT ASIAN TOUR, Patrice Lafargue, CEO of the IDEC Group, presented to 150 professionals the reasons why the IDEC SPORT maxi-trimaran was present in China, the connection with the international development of the IDEC GROUP and the projects currently being developed in several business parks around the country.

Start of the Tea Route record late this week

The fourth and final Act of the IDEC SPORT ASIAN TOUR, the Tea Route record between Hong Kong and London is the most important in terms of racing and is due to start late this week. The crew of IDEC SPORT includes her skipper Francis Joyon and four crewmen, Bertrand Delesne, Christophe Houdet, Corentin Joyon and Antoine Blouet, who will set sail from Hong Kong where the boat will be moored off the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.

Ahead of them a long voyage of 15,000 miles (around 28,000 km) starting with a crossing of the China Sea, a passage through the Sunda Strait, a crossing of the Indian Ocean, the rounding of the Cape of Good Hope and the climb back up the South and North Atlantic, before they enter the English Channel and sail up the Thames to finish under the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge in London.

36 days, 2 hours and 37 minutes – that is the time they will be aiming to beat in this Tea Route record has been held since 23rd February 2018 by the Multi70, Maserati skippered by the Italian, Giovanni Soldini with a time of 36 days, 2 hours and 37 minutes, sailing at an average speed of 17.4 knots.

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Frenchman Joyon sets round-the-world record in 40 days

Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty

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Published on December 4th, 2019 | by Editor

Francis Joyon arrives in Vietnam

Published on December 4th, 2019 by Editor -->

(December 4, 2019) – Francis Joyon and his crew on the 31.5m IDEC SPORT maxi-trimaran completed Act 2 of the IDEC SPORT ASIAN TOUR, establishing a reference time for the 3975nm route between Mauritius and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

After setting a new solo record time for the Mauritius Route last month , the holder of the Jules Verne Trophy and winner of the last Route du Rhum arrived in Vietnam this morning after 12 days, 20 hours, 37 minutes and 56 seconds at sea.

Francis Joyon left Mauritius on November 21 accompanied by Christophe Houdet, Bertrand Delesne, Antoine Blouet, and his son Corentin to set a new reference time on a highly unusual route for modern ocean racers taking them from Mauritius to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saïgon) across the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.

Due to weather systems, the team sailed 5400 miles experiencing high speeds, periods of flat calm conditions, the long swell of the southern latitude, the nasty choppy seas in the enclosed China and Java Seas, a maritime desert and busy shipping routes, the freezing cold of the Antarctic and the unbearable heat of Indonesia.

It was certainly a big adventure as expected by the five sailors, who were hypnotized by the marvels and unusual sights of the seascapes of the Far East.

The key idea in this 27,000-mile long Asian Tour was to look after the boat and equipment, as they sailed far from any accessible pit stop. They therefore attempted to favor downwind sailing as much as possible, preferring speed over the shortest route. The 3000 miles separating Mauritius from the south of Sumatra turned into 4200 miles of sailing with the wind on the beam in the NE’ly trade winds in the Indian Ocean.

Averaging almost 23 knots out on the water, they achieved several remarkable days of almost 750 miles in 24 hours without seeing the boat suffer and enjoying the experience of the Southern Ocean. Francis Joyon reached Indonesia on the eighth day of racing.

But the powerful head currents along the coast of Sumatra, associated with the total absence of wind, caused the maxi trimaran to plunge into an abyss of extremely slow speeds.

“We fought hard for three days to avoid drifting backwards,” explained Francis. With a mixture of curiosity, fascination and the permanent need to watch out for unexpected squalls, fishing boats, islands and fishing huts on stilts in the middle of the sea, the crew of IDEC SPORT had to use all their physical resources to make any headway and get away from this wind hole.

“The oppressive heat really surprised us as it suddenly arrived without any warning,” said Bertrand Delesne, the boat captain of IDEC SPORT. “It was impossible to sleep, as inside the boat it was like an oven. We tried in turns to grab a few minutes rest lying on the nets.”

Sailing upwind and carrying out manoeuvre after manoeuvre and changing sails with each change in the light airs around the islands of Bangka and Belitung, the men on IDEC SPORT were astounded by the experience and managed to get away from the Karimata Strait sailing close to the coast of Borneo. The result was they only covered 550 miles in three days.

It was as they approached the Natuna Islands to the NW of Borneo, that the Indonesia mist was replaced by more familiar skies for Joyon and his men, with squally showers and wind. Once again, this all happened very suddenly with the wind getting up to almost thirty knots. More than ever, the watchword aboard the boat was vigilance with the need to look after the equipment.

“IDEC SPORT was launched in 2006,” stressed Bertrand Delesne, “and we hate to see her suffer.” It was a bumpy road ahead for the magnificent trimaran over the final 500 miles in the China Sea. “Waves in excess of 12 feet heading straight for us made the boat leap up and down in every direction,” added Francis. “It was impossible to sleep inside. We bounced up nine inches or so as we lay in our bunks.”

Wisely, Francis swung the boat around to tackle the waves and wind on the beam in order to look after his faithful boat. There remained the final stretch in the Indonesian Peninsula. Once again, the tired crew faced light airs and were forced to deal with all the surprises in these busy waters where there is very little order.

Francis wisely decided to wait until they sun started to rise before pointing the bows of his giant trimaran in between the junks and sampans towards Vung Tau, the large trading port to the south of Ho Chi Minh City.

Campaign details – Tracker – Facebook

IDEC SPORT Specifications Architects: VPLP team (Van Péteghem-Lauriot Prévost) Previous names: Groupama 3, Banque Populaire VII Length: 31.50 m Beam: 22.50 m Displacement: 18,000 kg Draught: 5.70 m Mast height: 33.50 m Structure: carbon-Nomex Upwind sail surface: 411 m2 Downwind sail surface: 678 m2 Initial launch date: June 2006

IDEC SPORT ASIAN TOUR Act 1: Port Louis, Lorient – Port Louis, Mauritius (8800 nm) – 19:18:14:45 Act 2: Mauritius – Ho Chi Minh (3975 nm) Act 3: Ho Chi Minh – Hong Kong (920 nm) Act 4: Clipper Route between Hong Kong and London (13,000 nm).

Source: IDEC press

Tags: Francis Joyon , IDEC SPORT , IDEC SPORT Asian Tour , records , World Sailing Speed Record Council

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FRANCIS 2013 LATEST

Solo World Navigation Record -   FEBRUARY, 2004

Francis Joyon became the fastest world solo navigator, setting a blistering new record of 72 days 22 hours and 54 minutes and 22 seconds of navigation, covering more than 28,000 miles at an average speed of 15.5 knots.  This is over 20 days faster than the previous record.  In 1969 Robin Knox Johnston completed the first solo not stop voyage in 313 days. 

The single-handed, non-stop, round-the-world record bar has been raised by 20 days, making it a difficult record to beat in the future.  Joyon acheived this record on his 90 foot trimaran IDEC pictured below.  Unlike the Open 60 mono hull that set the previous record, IDEC was not purpose built for solo sailing.  In fact under its previous name: 'Sport Elec' the boat once held the Jules Verne Trophy for fasted crewed voyage around the world.  Remarkably Joyon's time was just 32 hours longer solo than when the same boat circled the globe with crew. 

Joyon is the 4th on an all French list to have soloed a trimaran around the globe. The others are the late Alain Colas, Phillipe Monnet and Olivier de Kersuason.  Joyon a 47 year old father of 2 got about 4 hours of sleep per day.

Francis Joyon and family

Joyon's time of 72 days is actually faster than that of the first two boats that held the Jules Verne trophy.  Bruno Peyron's Explorer took 79 days and ENZA with Peter Blake aboard needed 74 days.  It is amazing how technology has again provided man with the means to go faster.  Solar Navigator carries the latest technology in the quest to set the first electric world navigation .  It is doubtful if the incredible average speed set by IDEC using wind energy, can be matched at the current state of solar panel development.

Top sailors from the round the world, have been hailing Joyon's achievement as incredible.  It is a 90 foot boat, built for a large crew. To sail round the world safely by your self is an amazing achievement.  Joyon didn’t potter round the world, he pushed the machine to its limits throughout. Not only has Joyon even beaten records set previously by boats with full crews, but he has also taken an incredible 53 days off the multihull solo record.

With any record, you know that one day it will be beaten, it’s just a question of when. These days records aren’t held for that long, whereas before you could hang on to them for some time. Mike Golding held his round-the-world record for 7 years. That is perhaps one thing to be said about racing, that once you have won a race, nobody can take it away from you. It’s yours forever. But in this instance, Joyon will make it very hard to others to beat, but you can be sure they will one day.” See Ellen Macarthur .

IDEC 90' Trimaran

If you look at Joyon's voyage in comparison to past Jules Verne record holders he was better than all at some point. To the equator he was 23 hours faster than Sport Elec. From the equator to the Cape of Good Hope he was 8 hours faster than current record holder Orange. From Cape Horn to the Equator he was faster than Enza and Explorer. From the equator to the finish he posted the fastest time ever! Again all this while sailing solo v. sailing with a crew.  Joyon was not flushly funded.  His mainsail dated from the boat's previous circumnavigation in 1997.  Further unlike many contemporary ocean record voyages he did not have shore side routing assistance.

Mike Golding commented on Joyon’s achievement: “I take my hat off to him. He really has done fantastically well and this record will be very hard to beat. I wish I had thought about doing it! It’s an old boat (20 years old), with a fantastic record-breaking track record. Joyon is a great sailor , on a great boat and had the right weather conditions. You can only predict the weather for so long at the start of these challenges, so you always need to have a lot of luck with the weather too. Joyon has sailed meticulously and look at the out come!“

One of the people this record directly affects is Ellen Macarthur .  She recently launched a 75 foot trimaran intended for solo record breaking. She is being coy about whether she will make an around the world attempt saying, "With regards to the round-the-world record attempt, all I can say for now is that we shall see." Macarthur's past record shows she will likely make an attempt, but Joyon has raised the standard she will have to achieve considerably.

Escort for IDEC on the home straight

In 2000, after winning the OSTAR Trans Atlantic, Joyon said: " "But for me the goal was really to take my offshore racing experience to greater heights and gain a greater understanding of the ocean....I think it was because I was more in touch with the elements, that I won in the end."  He's moved to yet greater heights with this voyage.  Perhaps the greatest for a long time to come!

Joyon’s success has been recognised by the media throughout the world. UK TV stations have been hungry for expert opinions from previous record breakers. Later today, Mike Golding will be on both Channel 4 News and BBC News 24 later today, going through the details of how Joyon managed the epic voyage.

This is sail power. The technology is hundreds of years old and a tradition. but how can sails be developed to replace diesel engines. Indeed, can they? 

Sponsors are keen to get their names of fast sailing craft - why not on vessels using alternative energy, such as electric boats powered by solar energy. The answer to that could be it's not proven enough for all those corporate play it safe backers, who want guaranteed returns for their contributions. We say, how about some adventurous sponsors backing something untried, but potentially a nautical milestone ? 

Ellen and Francis - role reversal January 2008

Immediately after B&Q crossed the finish line the previous record holder, Francis Joyon, was congratulating Ellen. "I always said that Ellen was a serious contender, and I can see today that she has decided to prove me right. The mere fact that she was able to sail around the world non-stop was quite an exploit, but to smash the record at the same time fully deserves my warmest congratulations. Ellen achieved this result through her concentrated efforts. Her team worked hard and backed her before and during her circumnavigation, and she did not ever lose her resolve. Being well supported is one thing, but when you find yourself in the middle of the southern lows in this type of boat, you really feel very alone. Having experienced the deep south in a multihull , and with this memory still fresh on my mind, I know full well that this can be very tough on the nerves. I am sure that at times, it must have been very hard going, and I often thought about Ellen, when she was in some difficult patches with south westerly winds and squalls violently pouring down on the boat. Her trimaran is big, there is a large surface area of sail, and in times like those, it is not her shore team that was able do much for her. "I was hoping to keep the record for a bit longer, but it was not something that I put on a pedestal either. During the press conference following my arrival, I pointed out that in my opinion it was possible to improve on my time, taking into account my damage and the times when I was becalmed. However, I did not think it would be Ellen beating me so soon, and so magnificently. Once again, well done to her!"

FJ's World Navigation Records -   FEBRUARY, 2004   AUGUST 2012   JANUARY 2008   DISTANCE 2008   2013

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• St. Petersburg

Here’s who’s running for St. Petersburg City Council District 4

• Matthew Griffin Former Times Staffer
• Jake Sheridan Former Times Staffer

Five candidates are campaigning to succeed Darden Rice as St. Petersburg’s District 4 City Council member.

They include tech entrepreneur Jarib Figueredo, lawyer-turned-neighborhood association president Lisset Hanewicz, bartender Clifford Hobbs III, investment banker Tom Mullins and private equity consultant Doug O’Dowd.

District 4 neighborhoods include Euclid St. Paul’s, Historic Old Northeast and Meadowlawn. The district generally runs east from Interstate 275 to the water from Ninth Avenue North to 30th Avenue North, then runs along the east side of Interstate 275 to the north.

The candidates will first square off in a primary election on Aug. 24, in which only voters registered in District 4 will be able to cast ballots. The top two vote-getters will move on to the Nov. 2 general election, when all St. Petersburg voters will be able to cast a ballot in the race.

Jarib Figueredo

Jarib Figueredo says he had a single Cuban peso in his pocket when he came to the United States at age 19. That experience has influenced Figueredo, now 34 and the head of blockchain-based payroll startup HorusPay, in his City Council bid.

“One of my big things for my campaign is reviving the American dream,” he said.

He wants to bring more technology jobs to the city, saying job creation is key to helping more residents afford homes.

“Everybody talks about affordable housing, and everybody has a plan or whatnot,” he said. “I think that my plan is to elevate the life of the residents and bring in new jobs, and then [they will] be able to afford the house because they earn the right amount of money.”

Figueredo also wants to expand the city’s police force; invest in sewers and roads; and make it easier for residents to get permits for alterations to their properties, like adding a driveway.

Figueredo has a degree in surgical technology from Lincoln Tech in St. Petersburg. He has been endorsed by Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters and Redington Beach Mayor David Will. He had raised $10,687 by July 16, according to his most recent campaign finance report.

Lisset Hanewicz

Lisset Hanewicz stepped away from her law practice in 2014, when she was pregnant with her daughter. But in 2016, she became president of the Crescent Lake Neighborhood Association and worked to revitalize the organization. That experience, she said, inspired her to run for City Council.

“I really enjoy being able to give back to the community, and seeing how my legal skills and my knowledge and my advocacy have really helped my neighborhood and the surrounding community,” she said.

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With a law degree from the University of Florida, Hanewicz, 50, was a state and federal prosecutor and worked at a private law firm before starting her own practice.

She lists affordable housing among her top priorities and said regulatory changes to allow higher density will help, as well as a new state law that allows affordable housing to be built in industrial and commercial areas.

And she wants to invest in the city’s infrastructure and plan for its future growth.

“I think we have to be very thoughtful in how do you balance that growth and trying to keep what makes our city cool and what gives it its identity,” she said.

She says the city needs to view the Tropicana Field redevelopment as a business decision, doing what’s best for citizens without considering the emotional weight of keeping baseball.

Hanewicz has secured endorsements from the Suncoast Police Benevolent Association; the local chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters; the Pinellas Realtors Organization; and Ruth’s List, a group that supports Democratic pro-choice women in Florida elections. She had raised $76,534 as of July 16.

Clifford Hobbs III

A bartender at Birch & Vine, Clifford Hobbs III has a degree from the Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Austin, Texas. But he’s no stranger to public service, from his time as student government president for the downtown campus of St. Petersburg College to his participation in the Euclid St. Paul’s Neighborhood Association and volunteer work at a homeless shelter. He’s also a graduate of the Leadership St. Pete program.

“I love serving people, and I believe that what District 4 needs is a leader that is willing to serve everyone,” Hobbs said.

If he’s elected, Hobbs wants to invest in infrastructure, upgrading roads, alleyways and sidewalks. He’d like to provide more resources for small businesses.

He wants to require that landlords and property management companies accept rental vouchers for some units, while repaying them for costs involved in taking those vouchers. He also wants to ban discrimination based on a renter’s source of income and include the ban in the city’s Tenants Bill of Rights.

“With our housing crisis, everyone has to give just a little bit, so we can ensure that all of our residents have a place that they can call their own,” Hobbs said.

He likes the process of the Tropicana Field redevelopment, saying it’s done a good job of involving input from both residents and developers.

Hobbs has secured endorsements from the Equality Florida Action PAC and Florida for Change, as well as former City Council member Steve Kornell and local attorney and former state Rep. Sean Shaw. He had raised $23,050 by July 23.

Tom Mullins

Tom Mullins says his global business experience sets him apart from current council members.

The longtime Raymond James investment banker’s work has focused on waste management companies, infrastructure and aviation. Mullins, 57, said he’s helped create local jobs by growing Raymond James as one of its first investment banking employees and by raising the initial private equity capital for Allegiant Air.

American cities are “trending horribly” because of “progressive woke” policies, said Mullins, whose net worth is nearly $32 million according to campaign disclosures. He is a financial conservative who would scrutinize spending.

“If you care anything about having any kind of policy checks and balances on the council or city government, I think I’m a good candidate,” said Mullins, who has lived in St. Pete or “just on the fringes” for three decades.

He criticizes policies designed to prevent business expansion and real estate development as St. Petersburg grows. “Growth moratoriums and anti-development ideologies” eventually push all but the affluent out of cities, he said.

Mullins called the current Tropicana Field development plans “sterile” and “underwhelming.”

Another focus for Mullins is violent crime, which he thinks can be addressed through improved police-community relations, gun control and job opportunities. He’s also concerned with affordable housing.

“You have to increase supply and you need to do it in a responsible, community oriented, consensus driven way,” Mullins said.

Mullins has mostly self-funded his campaign with over $50,000 and raised another $14,000, as of July 16. Republican state Sen. Jeff Brandes, whose district covers parts of St. Pete, has endorsed Mullins.

Doug O’Dowd

Candidate Doug O’Dowd, 55, said he’ll find the city’s issues by listening to “the people at the bottom.” Experience as a finance executive will help too, he said. He currently works as a consultant for a private equity firm.

“That background gives me a pretty good exposure with a lot of the contract reviews that would be required as a City Council member,” he said.

O’Dowd said his family moved to Pinellas County a year after he was born, and he’s lived in St. Petersburg nearly three decades. He served 10 years on the board of education-focused nonprofit Learning Empowered and three years on the Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association’s board.

Economic development needs to happen “from Central Avenue, south,” O’Dowd said. He wants to see a ninth City Council district added in south St. Petersburg, and he wants to see a strong commitment to affordable housing and Black-owned businesses at the Trop site.

O’Dowd said he would focus on sustainable infrastructure, including wastewater treatment, sidewalks, stormwater drains, emergency response departments and trees.

He hasn’t received any major endorsements yet, and had raised $6,231 as of July 23.

How to vote in St. Petersburg’s municipal primary

The deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 24 St. Petersburg municipal primary has passed. Registered voters can vote in person on Aug. 24 or request a vote-by-mail ballot by calling the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections at 727-464-VOTE (8683) or emailing [email protected] . The deadline to request a mail ballot is 5 p.m. on Aug. 14, and the ballots can be mailed or delivered in person to an election office through Aug. 24.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that state Sen. Jeff Brandes has endorsed candidate Tom Mullins.

Former Times Staffer

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FRANCIS JOYON AND THE IDEC SPORT MAXI-TRIMARAN IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

IDEC SPORT is down in the Mediterranean for a few days. Francis Joyon’s maxi trimaran will be carrying out some PR operations in Toulon and Saint Tropez until 20th May. On board many of the crewmen from the last attempt at the Jules Verne Trophy.

Before setting off from Brittany, Francis Joyon explained, “ It will take us around six days to sail from La Trinité to Toulon. It will be a good opportunity to get used to the boat again in long distance mode. Alongside the shore team, my son Corentin and Sébastien Picault, I’ll have Alex Pella and Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant with me, who know the trimaran very well, so we’ll be able to talk about how to trim her and set the sails.”

After the winter refit, these two delivery trips from the Atlantic to the Med and back to the Atlantic and the trips in the South will also be a good way to start to prepare for the next round the world voyage. Francis Joyon has already announced that IDEC SPORT will be making another attempt at the record next autumn. “ But before that, if the weather allows us, once we get back to la Trinité, I’ll try to get in some solo sailing ,” added Francis Joyon, pleased to be back sailing longer distances again. The big, red trimaran is back in the water and getting some exercise…

The RORC Caribbean 600 is the next step for The Famous Project

The famous project, idec sport around europe, the maxi-trimaran idec sport and francis joyon as ambassadors for the arch, francis joyon postpones his attempt against the discovery route record, francis joyon has left la trinité sur mer. destination, spain.

13 Things To Do In Saint Petersburg | Russia’s Most Beautiful City

By Author Christian L.

Posted on Published: January 17, 2021  - Last updated: September 11, 2021

Categories Europe , Destinations , Russia

Once known as Leningrad and before that Petrograd, Saint Petersburg, Russia, is the country’s second-largest city. Set next to the Neva River, close to the Baltic Sea, this city is home to over 5 million people.

It’s the world’s northernmost city, founded by Peter the Great and named after Saint Peter the apostle. Once home to the Tsars of Russia, it is today known as the country’s cultural capital.

With iconic sights such as Hermitage Museum, Nevsky Prospect, Peterhof Palace, and so much more, it has a fascinating heritage ripe for exploration. Without further ado, let’s dive into the 13 best things to do in St. Petersburg. 

Top Things to do in St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg, Europe, has grown into one of the top tourist destinations on the continent. Although it might get very cold in winter, there are still plenty of things to do – and the summers are absolutely perfect! Saint Petersburg is one of the prettiest cities in all of Europe .

Keep reading for some of my favorite choices. 

1. Visit The World Famous Hermitage Museum

One of the city’s most popular attractions (with over 3 million items in its esteemed collection), State Hermitage Museum showcases everything from fine art to ancient artifacts. 

Even if you don’t plan on entering inside, the exterior is an architectural gem in itself. The columns are all in white with green/gold facades that can be viewed from the river or Palace Square.

If you’re visiting St. Petersburg, Russia, your trip would not be complete without stopping past this world-famous landmark. It’s also a great activity to do no matter what time of year you are visiting – and a perfect way to escape those cold Russian winter days. 

There are six buildings in the museum complex in total. Five of which – Winter Palace, Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage, New Hermitage, and Hermitage Theatre – can be accessed by the public.

Within, you’ll be treated to Egyptian collections, artifacts dating from ancient Mesopotamia, and classical Greek jewelry, pottery, and sculptures. This is any historical culture lover’s dream. 

Keep exploring, and you will find collections of prehistoric relics from the Palaeolithic era to the Iron Ages, European fine arts, Impressionist works, Catherine the Great’s personal collections, and so much more.

In fact, you’ll need an entire day or possibly longer to explore this incredible museum complex. If you only have limited time in St. Petersburg, be sure to add this museum to your itinerary! There are also guided tours available if you want a more educational experience. 

Did you know? The Hermitage Museum is the world’s second-largest art museum.

2. Take in a Performance at Mariinsky Theatre

The Neoclassical Mariinsky Theatre is home to Russia’s revered opera and ballet companies.

The theatre – named after the wife of Tsar Alexandra II, Empress Maria Alexandrovna – has been here since 1860 when it was known as the Kirov Theatre.

This magnificent building, since it opened, has hosted stage performances and premieres from Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky and famous ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. 

Today, in addition to hosting live performances, the theatre has its own record label, which focuses on releasing music by Russian composers Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninov.

If you enjoy the arts and are going to be in St. Petersburg for several days, book tickets to see a world-class performance – you won’t be disappointed.

3. See Jewelled Eggs at the Faberge Museum

The House of Faberge was founded in St. Petersburg in 1842 by Gustav Faberge. Originally a jeweler, he became famous for designing jewel-encrusted eggs for the Tsars of Russia and is arguably the most famous goldsmith of the modern era. 

Today, you can view these iconic collection pieces in the Faberge Museum. It showcases 4,000 items in total, including Faberge Easter eggs, jewelry, silverware, home decor, and fantasy-themed objects.

The incredible jeweled eggs are famous all over the world, and there are several museums dedicated to them. But if you want to learn about Gustav Faberge, his family, and how it all began, this is the museum to visit. You can purchase a ticket in person or online. 

4. Spend an Hour Canal Cruising

St. Petersburg is built on 42 islands, and once upon a time (before bridges were constructed), cruising was the only way to navigate the city.

On a Golden Ring boat tour, you’ll see some of St. Petersburg’s iconic sights along the Kryukov Canal, including St. Nicholas Cathedral, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, and the Mariinsky theatre.

You’ll dip beneath the famous colored bridges on Neva River whilst enjoying views of Peter and Paul Fortress, Vasilyevsky Island, and the Summer Garden. This is truly one of the most breathtaking ways to take in all the beauty that St. Petersburg has to offer. 

This tour also only takes around an hour, so you’ll have plenty of time to revisit your favorite spots throughout the day!

5. Discover Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

One of St. Petersburg’s architectural masterpieces is the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood.

This former Russian Orthodox Church was completed in 1907 and is built in Baroque, Neoclassical, and Russian Revival design. It is one of the city’s main attractions, with ornate domes, intricate frescoes, and 7,500 square meters of mosaics inside. 

If you don’t wish to enter, you can gain incredible views from Griboedov Canal. But if you do venture inside, you’ll be rewarded with interior frescoes and mosaic works depicting biblical scenes and figures created by celebrated Russian artists of the time.

The Church of the Saviour of Blood is built on the spot where Emperor Alexander 2 was assassinated in 1881 – hence the name. So, not only will you be able to appreciate the fine architectural designs, but also explore an important part of Russian history. 

6. Take a Rooftop Walk-in St. Petersburg

If you have viewed the city from canals and rivers, try it from the rooftops! You can take a guided rooftop walk in the city, seeing streets and skylines from an elevated perspective.

One particular tour to highlight is the Official Rooftops Excursion of St. Petersburg. Just a few minutes from Nevsky Prospect, these sites offer vistas of Fontanka River and Trinity Cathedral – and that’s just the first roof.

The second roof boasts views of St. Petersburg’s old center, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, and the Church on Spilled Blood.

This is a truly incredible way to see the city in all its glory, plus the tour provides you with binoculars so you can see everything in great detail.

7. Admire Nevsky Prospect’s Magnificent Architecture

The main street of St. Petersburg is Nevsky Prospect. Begin at the intersection at Stroganov Palace before venturing to Kazan Cathedral. While you walk, take in the monuments dedicated to Catherine the Great and browse goods at The Passage – Nevsky Avenue’s premier department store.

This store was quite the trailblazer. It opened its doors in the late 1840s and was one of the first buildings in Russia to use gas for lighting. Then, in 1900, an electric station was installed on an underground floor.

Once you’ve finished shopping and enjoyed a fresh cup of coffee, continue to the Russian National Library – the oldest public library in Russia – and Alexandrinsky Theatre (which was built for the Imperial troupe of Petersburg).

8. Visit the Island of Peter and Paul Fortress

Set on an island connected by bridges, Peter and Paul Fortress is instantly recognizable from its needle spire, which dominates the skyline. The fortress was originally built to defend the maritime city from Swedish invaders.

However, Peter the Great defeated the opposition before it was even completed! It has since served as a military center and prison for political dissenters and, latterly, as a museum.

Inside the vast complex, you can see Peter and Paul Cathedral, visit the resting place of the Romanovs, and watch military processions or the firing of the noon-day gun.

It’s a great day trip for anyone interested in Russian, maritime or military history. There are also plenty of group walking tours available. 

9. Sample Russian Vodka in a Ryumochnye

A visit to Russia wouldn’t be complete without sampling the local drink – vodka, and the best place to do this is in a Ryumochnye. This is a specific style of 19th-century Russian drinking house that not only offers some of Russia’s best vodka but also a short history lesson.

You could call it a bar, but it’s more than that – most mainstream Ryumochnye have a definite Soviet vibe and are places for working men to kick back and enjoy vodka with their buddies.

Beverages come in bottles or shot form, and some places offer self-service and snacks.

If that sounds too hardcore for your taste, there are updated versions of Ryumochnye in the city, like Mayak in St. Petersburg, where you can gain a similar experience. 

10. Enjoy local Saint Petersburg Craft Beer

Although most people think of vodka when visiting Russia, you can also enjoy some of the best craft beer in Saint Petersburg . Russia’s second-largest city has an exciting, rapidly growing craft beer scene, in part due to its history and geography.

Historically, the Russian empire was influenced by Northern Europe, and the Dutch & English beer-drinking culture eventually made its way here. Today, Saint Petersburg is home to a growing number of modern microbreweries, cool taprooms, and stylish bars.

Saint Petersburg is also home to Stepan Razin Brewery, the oldest brewery in Russia (now, of course, owned by Heiniken). It opened in 1795, but today the building is known as the Saint Petersburg Beer Museum, showcasing the history of beer in Russia and the Soviet Union.

Russia’s largest and most popular brewery, Baltika, is also located in Saint Petersburg, and it’s possible to take a tour of their huge brewery.

11. See the Majestic Catherine Palace

A stately palace of blue and gold, Catherine’s Palace is located 26 kilometers south of St. Petersburg. Named after the wife of Peter the Great, this place was originally a two-story modest building commissioned in 1717.

The exterior, which stretches for one kilometer in circumference, is surrounded by woodlands, lawns, gilded balconies, and reliefs. However, the interiors are even more impressive.

With great halls, a white dining room, an amber room, and more. It’s the perfect place to step back into history and discover what life was like as a Russian aristocracy.

12. Explore Peterhof Palace

If you’re going to visit Catherine Palace, you should tour Peterhof too. It’s a 40-minute drive away, but you can even take a hydrofoil speed boat from right behind the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg center.

Sitting close to the Baltic Sea, Peterhof Palace was constructed by Peter the Great to be Russia’s version of Versailles. The opulent residence surrounded by sculptures, fountains, and tiered staircases leading to the grand entrance evokes mystery and the history of a bygone era.

Inside it is lavishly decorated with dazzling chandeliers, one-of-a-kind artworks and beautiful ceiling frescoes.

On a guided tour, you can learn more about the palace’s history. Discover the Throne Room, Portrait Hall and Peter the Great’s Oak Study. You’ll see dining rooms set for dinner, grand ballrooms where dancing and gatherings would take place, and décor which defies time.

The palace offers great insight into his life and legacy, and if you are interested in history, art and interior design, you’ll love it.

Want to know more about Peterhof?

13. Spend a Day by the Finnish Border at Vyborg

Just over an hour from central Saint Petersburg by train is the city of Vyborg. It sits on the Gulf of Finland and was first settled back in the 12th century. The city has been occupied by Finnish and German forces and suffered extensive damage during the Second World War. However, it has since been rebuilt. 

It’s a charming center to wander around, with narrow cobbled streets, a medieval castle, and Finnish art nouveau structures sprinkled throughout. An easy day trip from St. Petersburg, it can also serve as a stop-off point if you’re crossing into Finland to continue your adventure.

Want to know more about Saint Petersburg?

Where is St. Petersburg | Is St. Petersburg in Europe?

If you want to know “Where is Saint Petersburg?”, you’ve come to the right place. Beautiful St. Petersburg is located in northern Russia. Russia is a massive country, so it is no surprise that many people want to know “Is Saint Petersburg in Europe?”. The answer is yes. 

How to Get to Saint Petersburg

The maritime city is well linked to Europe by air, sea, rail and road. Depending on where you’re traveling from and the rest of your itinerary, you can use one of the following ways to arrive at St. Petersburg.

You can fly into Saint Petersburg through Pulkovo International Airport. There are around 1,100 international flights a week and 1,200 domestic flights operating in and out of the local airport.

Although many flights from European cities to Saint Petersburg are direct, you may have to change flights if flying from further afield.

It’s also possible to travel to St. Petersburg by train. The most popular (and most frequent) routes operate from Moscow, Helsinki, and Tallinn. However, there are options to travel from other areas in central Europe, central Asia, and eastern Europe by rail.

There is a central bus station in Saint Petersburg, with services to and from Moscow, Pskov, Novgorod, Vilnius, Riga , Tallinn and Helsinki. Some of these journeys can be long and arduous.

Therefore, thorough research and choosing the right bus company is important.

Baltic Sea Cruises also operate to St. Petersburg as part of a larger itinerary, and St. Peter Line Ferry sails from Helsinki in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia.

Exploring Saint Petersburg, Russia

Saint Petersburg is the 5th most populous city in Europe and also a leading tourist destination. Although people sometimes forget about Russia, this city is breathtakingly beautiful and provides plenty of cultural and historical attractions.

Now that you know where to go, I hope you have an amazing time in Russia’s most beautiful city.

Friday 19th of January 2018

Thank you! So great review about our St. Petersburg!

What to do in St. Petersburg in 1 day - Probe around the Globe

Thursday 11th of May 2017

[…] more about the beauty of St. Petersburg from the Unusual […]

Friday 17th of June 2016

Which hostel did you stay at? I am potentially thinking of going to Russia for World Cup 2018 after my World Cup trip to Brazil two years ago. Saint Petersburg is one of the host cities, and so I am very interested in learning more about this city and recommendations from fellow travellers who have been.

Christian L.

I stayed at Soul Kitchen Junior, and I will go so far and say its by far the best hostel I have ever stayed at!! Anywhere in the world, no other hostels even get close to it:)