Breaking News

    Destination New York: Queen Mary 2 vs. world's fastest trimarans

    Updated 1247 GMT (2047 HKT) July 18, 2017

    Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

    Cruise liner Queen Mary 2 arrived in western France, on June 24, 2017. It was the day before the start of The Bridge 2017, a transatlantic race between the vessel and the world's fastest trimarans from Saint-Nazaire, France to New York. It was part of an event to mark 100 years since American troops arrived in France during World War One.
    Photos: Destination New York: Queen Mary 2 vs. world's fastest trimarans
    Cruise liner Queen Mary 2 arrived in western France, on June 24, 2017. It was the day before the start of The Bridge 2017, a transatlantic race between the vessel and the world's fastest trimarans from Saint-Nazaire, France to New York. It was part of an event to mark 100 years since American troops arrived in France during World War One.
    Hide Caption
    1 of 10
    Yves Le Blevec was the skipper aboard one of the trimarans for Team Actual. The race itself took place over 3,152 miles (5,837 km.)
    Photos: Destination New York: Queen Mary 2 vs. world's fastest trimarans
    Yves Le Blevec was the skipper aboard one of the trimarans for Team Actual. The race itself took place over 3,152 miles (5,837 km.)
    Hide Caption
    2 of 10
    Sodebo (bottom,) the trimaran led by French skipper Thomas Coville, and Macif, captained by Francois Gabart, pictured on the start line.
    Photos: Destination New York: Queen Mary 2 vs. world's fastest trimarans
    Sodebo (bottom,) the trimaran led by French skipper Thomas Coville, and Macif, captained by Francois Gabart, pictured on the start line.
    Hide Caption
    3 of 10
    The fourth trimaran was Idec Sport, skippered Francis Joyon.
    Photos: Destination New York: Queen Mary 2 vs. world's fastest trimarans
    The fourth trimaran was Idec Sport, skippered Francis Joyon.
    Hide Caption
    4 of 10
    The regatta was organized to commemorate the centenary of the first arrival of American troops on the French coasts in June 1917.
    Photos: Destination New York: Queen Mary 2 vs. world's fastest trimarans
    The regatta was organized to commemorate the centenary of the first arrival of American troops on the French coasts in June 1917.
    Hide Caption
    5 of 10
    The QM2 finished the transatlantic journey in five and a half days, taking a more direct course than the trimarans at an average speed of 22.67 knots. The cruise liner was completed in 2002 and weighs nearly 150,000 tonnes. It has a capacity of nearly 2,700 passengers.
    Photos: Destination New York: Queen Mary 2 vs. world's fastest trimarans
    The QM2 finished the transatlantic journey in five and a half days, taking a more direct course than the trimarans at an average speed of 22.67 knots. The cruise liner was completed in 2002 and weighs nearly 150,000 tonnes. It has a capacity of nearly 2,700 passengers.
    Hide Caption
    6 of 10
    Gabart (C) celebrates with teammates on board Macif after passing under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge finish line in New York. Macif completed the journey in eight days, 31 minutes and 20 seconds, sailing at an average speed of 18.61 knots.
    Photos: Destination New York: Queen Mary 2 vs. world's fastest trimarans
    Gabart (C) celebrates with teammates on board Macif after passing under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge finish line in New York. Macif completed the journey in eight days, 31 minutes and 20 seconds, sailing at an average speed of 18.61 knots.
    Hide Caption
    7 of 10
    The scene aboard the QM2 as it arrived in New York on July 1.
    Photos: Destination New York: Queen Mary 2 vs. world's fastest trimarans
    The scene aboard the QM2 as it arrived in New York on July 1.
    Hide Caption
    8 of 10
    Idec crossed the finish line four hours after Macif, in a time of eight days, 11 hours, nine minutes and three seconds.
    Photos: Destination New York: Queen Mary 2 vs. world's fastest trimarans
    Idec crossed the finish line four hours after Macif, in a time of eight days, 11 hours, nine minutes and three seconds.
    Hide Caption
    9 of 10
    Sodebo sailed home in third place.
    Photos: Destination New York: Queen Mary 2 vs. world's fastest trimarans
    Sodebo sailed home in third place.
    Hide Caption
    10 of 10
    01 transatlantic race Queen Mary trimaran new york02 transatlantic race Queen Mary trimaran new york03 transatlantic race Queen Mary trimaran new york04 transatlantic race Queen Mary trimaran new york05 transatlantic race Queen Mary trimaran new york RESTRICTED06 transatlantic race Queen Mary trimaran new york RESTRICTED09 transatlantic race Queen Mary trimaran new york08 transatlantic race Queen Mary trimaran new york10 transatlantic race Queen Mary trimaran new york11 transatlantic race Queen Mary trimaran new york

    Story highlights

    • QM2 journey marked 100 years since American troops landed in France.
    • Transatlantic race pitted trimerans vs. 150,000 ton vessel.

    (CNN)In any given year, the mammoth cruise liner Queen Mary 2 will cross the Atlantic dozens of times.

    But last month, the 150,000-ton vessel set sail on unique journey, racing four lightweight trimarans from Saint-Nazaire in western France to New York.
      The race, known as The Bridge 2017 Centennial Transat, marked a century since American soldiers first landed in France during World War I.
      With a capacity of up to nearly 2,700 passengers, the QM2 took a more direct route to New York, landing in five and a half days with an average speed of 22.67 knots.
      READ: Record-breaking sailor's plans for "crazy boat"
      Read More
      Meanwhile, Macif, the fastest of the trimarans captained by Francois Gabart, reached New York in 8 days, 31 minutes and 20 seconds. The trimarans were forced to take alternate routes due to risk of encountering icebergs and extreme weather.
      "This race is historic, it's the first time these boats have raced together and I'm sure this is the future for sailing," Gabart told Yachting & Boating World. "To be part of this is unbelievable because we are just at the start."
      The other three trimarans featured Sodebo, skippered by Thomas Coville, Ldec, led by Francis Joyon, and Actual, steered by Yves Le Blevec.
      The race was just part of The Bridge, which was a celebration of French and American culture.
      Festivities included the 3x3 basketball World Cup in Nice as well as a host of musical events.
      Emirates Team New Zealand, helmed by Peter Burling, celebrate after winning the America's Cup Match in Hamilton, Bermuda.
      Photos:
      Emirates Team New Zealand, helmed by Peter Burling, celebrate after winning the America's Cup Match in Hamilton, Bermuda.
      Hide Caption
      1 of 5
      Burling, at the age of 26, becomes the youngest winning helmsman in the history of the America's Cup.
      Photos:
      Burling, at the age of 26, becomes the youngest winning helmsman in the history of the America's Cup.
      Hide Caption
      2 of 5
      Fans young and old gathered at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland to watch and, eventually, celebrate.
      Photos:
      Fans young and old gathered at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland to watch and, eventually, celebrate.
      Hide Caption
      3 of 5
      New Zealand sealed an 7-1 triumph with victory in Monday's ninth race of the final match.
      Photos:
      New Zealand sealed an 7-1 triumph with victory in Monday's ninth race of the final match.
      Hide Caption
      4 of 5
      The racing took place on the waters of Bermuda's Great Sound.
      Photos:
      The racing took place on the waters of Bermuda's Great Sound.
      Hide Caption
      5 of 5
      team new zealand celebpeter burling celebrationnew zealand fansnew zealand race nineamericas cup new zealand oracle
      READ: Team New Zealand dominates America's Cup
      "France and the the United States, this project speaks to me," said Tony Parker, a French NBA star who has played in the US since 2001 and was one of the event's sponsors.
      "It is also a little nod to history to say thank you for everything that happened before. It makes complete sense to me to be involved as I fully identify with The Bridge."