The main goal of Francis Joyon was to regain the single-handed round-the-world record from Ellen MacArthur.

The yachtsman from Locmariaquer did so, in January 2008, beating her record by more than two weeks, and even managed to get the second best time around the world behind Orange II and in front of crewed sailboats such as Cheyenne, Geronimo and Orange.

She was used by Chinese sailor Guo Chuan in an attempt to break the world record for a solo crossing of the Pacific, sailing from San Francisco to Shanghai.

A team from the USS Makin Island reached the yacht on 27 October, finding it adrift with a damaged sail, with no sign of Chuan, but with his lifejacket still aboard.

The crew removed his personal belongings, and left the yacht for later salvage.