At the heart of Richard Mille lies a commitment to excellence, perfection, and innovation — attributes that resonate deeply with athletes. The brand has had strong ties with various sports, from tennis to motor racing and golf, showcasing its dedication to high performance.
This commitment goes beyond crafting exceptional timepieces; Richard Mille collaborates with elite athletes across disciplines. These sports icons, known for their relentless pursuit of perfection, embody the durability and functionality of Richard Mille watches, demonstrating resilience in the most demanding conditions, whether on the field, track, course, or court.
This pursuit of excellence has inspired Richard Mille to embark on a new high-performance challenge at sea, collaborating with renowned sailor Alexia Barrier in The Famous Project. This initiative focuses not only on athletic achievement but also on elevating the standards of seafaring.
Richard Mille’s support for such initiatives is a fundamental aspect of its identity, and it consistently seeks new avenues for growth. This time, the focus shifts from speed on land to the challenges of the sea, as the brand has previously collaborated with the Voiles de Saint-Barth and established its own regatta, the Richard Mille Cup.
Now, continuing to strengthen its commitment to adventure, excellence, technology and performance — the brand’s core pillars — Richard Mille views The Famous Project as a new chapter in its dedication to women’s achievements. “Driven by the passion of everyone involved, Barrier’s determination to excel in this endeavour truly inspires us,” says Amanda Mille, brand & partnerships director.
“I wanted to take the plunge and sail an Ultime to attempt to break the world sailing record. Our first challenge will be training a crew of skippers who are unfamiliar with this type of vessel. We must unlearn and start fresh — this is the challenge ahead,” Barrier adds.
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A boat of legends
The Ultime trimaran Idec Sport has been making waves for 17 years since it first touched the water, crafting a legendary story along the way. Originally named Groupama 3 and later Banque Populaire (VII), it was rebranded as Idec Sport in 2015. This remarkable vessel has been helmed by some of the greatest sailors, including Franck Cammas, Armel Le Cléac’h, Loïck Peyron, and Francis Joyon.
In 2017, Francis Joyon set a new record for the Jules Verne Trophy aboard this boat, completing the challenge in an astonishing 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes, and 30 seconds. Since then, no one has succeeded in breaking or even matching that record despite attempts by newer and more advanced boats.
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Even after all these years, Idec Sport remains the fastest boat in the world. Beyond the Jules Verne Trophy, it has claimed victory in the Route du Rhum three times—in 2010, 2014, and most notably in 2018. In that edition, after racing more than 6,500 km across the Atlantic, Idec Sport was in second place. During the thrilling final moments of the race, Joyon executed a flawless tack, overtaking François Gabart on MACIF and winning by a mere seven minutes, showcasing the exceptional skill of both the sailor and the boat.
The Famous Project is a women-led initiative featuring an all-female team set to attempt a non-stop circumnavigation aboard a 32m sailboat, aiming to make history in the world of sailing. Targeting the women’s record for the prestigious Jules Verne Trophy in 2025, this ambitious project embodies the spirit of empowerment and adventure. By undertaking this monumental feat, the team seeks not only to break records but also to inspire future generations of women to embrace their ambitions and face challenges in maritime exploration and beyond.
To meet this challenge, Barrier and her crew will harness the power of Idec Sport, the fastest maxi-trimaran in the world. This vessel previously set the Jules Verne Trophy world record in 2017, completing the journey in an astonishing 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds.
“This was my dream boat for this ambitious project, which aims to provide women with the same tools as men in pursuing demanding races. The Famous Project embodies our philosophy of daring, dreaming, and sharing,” says Barrier.
At the helm of this endeavour is Barrier, whose deep dedication to sustainability, innovation, and perseverance embodies a relentless spirit that continuously pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. Passionate about merging sailing with education and environmental advocacy, Barrier has gathered vital data on some of the world’s most remote oceans and inspired 20,000 young people to take action in protecting our planet’s waters.
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Her sailing journey began at just 12 years old in the picturesque South of France. By 18, she achieved a remarkable ranking of 4th in the world of Match Racing. However, it was at 25 that she embraced solo ocean racing, driven by a childhood admiration for Bruno Peyron, a three-time winner of the prestigious Jules Verne Trophy. Now, at 43, she’s poised for the adventure of a lifetime.
As a seasoned sailor, Barrier has traversed over 200,000 nautical miles, competing in revered events such as the Transat ag2r, the Tour de France à la Voile, and the iconic Vendée Globe race. Through her dynamic leadership, she has rallied an extraordinary team of women to pursue this ambitious world record, channelling her heart and soul into this monumental challenge. Alexia’s commitment to scientific research linked to the project reflects her desire to leave a lasting positive legacy for women in sports and environmental protection.
“Always faster, always bigger” could easily be her motto. Addressing doubts about her bold ambitions, Alexia states, “People said it was unrealistic to sail an Ultim class, that it was out of reach and too costly. I listened to that advice and tried to align myself with a new Vendée Globe project, but it didn’t resonate with me. It’s the Jules Verne Trophy and the maxi trimaran that truly fuels my dreams”.
What is The Famous Project?
Like any good sailor, The Famous Project took out its compass and set four objectives! More than simple objectives, they are inseparable universal values and a philosophy of life.
- Make a commitment
The Famous Project aims to empower women and young girls to take bold steps in their lives. It encourages them to speak up, challenge themselves, and embrace the unknown in pursuit of their dreams.
To support this mission, conferences will be organised during the crew’s travels, providing opportunities for women to connect and share their experiences. They can present their projects—sometimes previously unknown—and leverage the visibility and recognition that The Famous Project brings.
The initiative seeks to foster a better understanding of gender-related issues and serve as an open resource for solutions that promote gender equality. In collaboration with various associations, The Famous Project will journey around the globe, with initial stops in Malta, Canada, the United States, Brazil, South Africa, and Japan, to engage with inspiring women in these regions.
- For the climate
To better understand the planet’s climate changes, Alexia Barrier states, “For the first time in history, a new generation of sensors will be developed and installed on a trimaran. The extensive miles we travel in the two years preceding the world tour and during the tour itself will be particularly effective for data collection.”
In 2009, Barrier founded the 4myplanet association, which is dedicated to ocean protection. Today, Unesco has decided to support her project. For nearly 15 years, the skipper has collaborated with scientists to deploy beacons and measuring instruments in the water, enhancing our understanding of the sea and the climate changes occurring within it.
This mission will continue through The Famous Project. With the MOD70 and the Idec Sport maxi-trimaran, we are entering a new era of data collection. The boat will not only navigate the water but also soar. Its 35-meter mast will reach an unexplored atmospheric layer in the middle of the ocean.
Special sensors, inspired by aviation technology, will be developed and installed. These sensors will gather invaluable data on how water and air interact over various heights, offering deeper insights into climate dynamics.
- For education
The goal is to provide children with access to our planet’s oceans. Alexia Barrier explains, “Engaging with children face-to-face shows them that we are not reality TV stars; this isn’t fake. We are real people with real challenges.”
Currently, 100,000 children are participating in the educational program launched by 4myplanet. Through The Famous Project, Alexia aims to reach even more children worldwide, particularly those who may never have the chance to see the sea.
Introducing the “Ocean 360” project: a series of nine 9-minute virtual reality episodes designed to immerse children in the ocean experience. Barrier will appear in these short films, with renowned snowboarder Mathieu Crépel lending his voice to the ocean and freediver Julie Gauthier narrating the underwater life.
To maximise reach, the crew will show these videos in schools visited and will remain accessible for teachers who want to use them as educational resources.
- Spirit of sport
In 2025, an all-female crew will set sail aboard the Ultime trimaran Idec Sport to tackle the Jules Verne Trophy. Their goal is to establish the first female reference time in this prestigious challenge and, ideally, beat the record by finishing in under 40 days.
To succeed, the team will draw on each member’s unique and complementary skills, relying on their tenacity, bravery and unwavering determination.
Additionally, they will have an inspiring eighth teammate: all the remarkable women and young girls they have connected with through The Famous Project.
