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Round the world race: 100ft trimarans set for solo race

• Helen Fretter
• July 9, 2021

The fastest offshore racing designs ever built, the foiling 100ft Ultim trimarans, will go head-to-head in a solo round the world race in 2023

Photo: Yvan Zedda

The Ultim class has announced the first single-handed race round the world for giant multihulls , the Solo Ultim World Tour. 

This will likely be the most challenging ocean sailing race ever held. The solo skippers will need to navigate a course as arduous as the Vendée Globe , but will be doing so in 100ft foiling trimarans with complex appendages capable of sailing at 45 knots , with the ever-present risk of a split-second capsize.

Six of the fastest ocean-racing designs in the world will be taking part in the new solo race round the world, with record-breaking sailors Armel Le Cléac’h , Charles Caudrelier and Thomas Coville among the solo skippers lining up.

The Gitana entry Maxi Edmond de Rothschild is one of the most highly optimised big trimarans, and will be coming back into the Ultim class. Photo: Eloi Stichelbaut / PolaRYSE / Gitana

Unsurprisingly, the race has been a long-time in coming to fruition. Now called the Solo Ultim World Tour, it will be organised by the hugely experienced event company OC Sport Pen Duick, in collaboration with the Class Ultim 32/23, to start in the autumn of 2023. The concept was first mooted around 15 years ago, just as the notoriously skittish Orma trimarans were in their final days. A calendar was drawn up for the embryonic Ultime class which included solo and crewed round the world races, building up to a solo around the world race set for December 2019, then called the Brest Oceans. 

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However, in the 2018 Route du Rhum – the transatlantic race with a reputation for being something of a demolition derby – four of the big trimarans suffered severe damage. Armel le Cléac’h’s Banque Populaire IV capsized and broke up mid-Atlantic, while the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild lost 10m of one float, Sodebo also suffered structural cracking to one float and Macif lost a foil and a rudder. 

History seemed to be repeating itself – in the 2002 Route du Rhum, only three of 18 multihulls had managed to complete the race, and the ensuing capsizes and dramatic rescues saw many sponsors leave the Orma fleet. It was clear that the Ultim class was nowhere near ready to race solo around the world.

Macif at the start of the 2019 Brest Atlantiques Race

However, the class changed tack. A multi-stage double-handed race looping around the Atlantic was held in 2019 instead – the Brest Atlantiques . Although several boats suffered damage – Macif swopping out a rudder in Rio, and Sodebo breaking off its starboard rudder after hitting a whale (an impact which caused so much damage that the aft section of the starboard float filled with water and later also broke away), three of the four made it around and there were no dramatic rescues.

Round the world race entries

Even more remarkably, new boats kept being launched. Banque Populaire commissioned a new Ultim for le Cléac’h, and although Francois Gabart’s previous sponsor Macif pulled out mid-build, his new Ultim – code-named M101 – was completed, and he secured new backing from French cosmetics group Kresk (now under the name SVR-Lazatigue ). 

Combined with a new Sodebo for Thomas Coville in 2019, and a healthy market for second-hand giant trimarans that are ripe for optimisation, the biggest, and most audacious ocean racing fleet in the world is now attracting entry numbers to rival that of the last one-design Volvo Ocean Race (seven in the last Volvo, six currently in the Solo Ultim World Tour).

Confirmed entries for the round the world race so far are: Banque Populaire XI , skippered by Armel Le Cléac’h; Maxi Edmond de Rothschild with Charles Caudrelier (which will come back into the Ultim class after being modified out of class rules for round the world record attempts); Thomas Coville’s Sodebo;  Francois Gabart on his new SVR-Lazartigue ; Actual , skippered by Yves Le Blevec, and a Brest Ultim Sailing entry, the former Actual , with the skipper still to be announced. 

These sailors are the absolute elite of ocean racing. Between the five confirmed skippers alone they include two Vendée Globe winners, two around the world solo record holders, two Volvo Ocean Race wins , at least two Jules Verne around the world crewed records and multiple further attempts.

The start and finish host city has not yet been decided, although discussions are underway with the City of Brest, which has shown keen interest in hosting the event since the creation of the project and hosted the Brest Atlantiques Race in 2019.

Sodebo was one of three latest generation Ultimes racing in the 2019 Fastnet. Photo: Kurt Arrigo / Rolex

The current around the world multihull solo record stands at 42d 16h, set by Gabart on his previous Macif in 2017 . The Solo Ultim World Tour is likely to take around 40-50 days, as they will not be setting off with an optimal forecast for record-breaking.

However, the biggest question will be whether they can make it around without race-ending foil damage. After the experiences of the Brest Atlantiques Race and 2019 Route du Rhum, all the teams have been innovating with ways of both avoiding collisions, and making their trimarans more robust in the event of hitting a UFO.

The new Banque Populaire has increased structures, sacrificing ultimate light weight for strength (see more on this in the August issue of Yachting World magazine, out now). Sodebo has been experimenting with appendage fittings designed to absorb impact, and all the big tri’s are trialling collision avoidance systems such as Oscar to try and identify objects in the water.

Charles Caudrelier, the co-skipper of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild who will be taking on the solo race, said: “This solo round-the-world race in the Ultim is a dream I didn’t even dare to hope for in my career. I have always been very drawn to the Vendée Globe, but here, at the helm of the fastest boats on the planet and in flying mode, it is quite simply the ultimate challenge. 

“Leading such a boat alone on such a demanding global course is an extraordinary adventure that I am really proud to share with the Gitana Team and on the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. I have been thinking about this world tour for two years, it is this goal that motivates me and keeps me moving forward every day.”

The newly launched Banque Populaire XI

Thomas Coville, skipper of Sodebo Ultim 3 , commented: “It is a privilege to be part of this group of sailors. With Sodebo, we have been thinking about this race since 2007 when we launched the construction of the first Sodebo Ultim trimaran.

“There were a lot of twists and turns in the creation of this race around the world. This race justifies 20 years of commitment and high-level sailing. This is the race that will consecrate the life of an athlete and a sailor.”

Armel Le Cléac’h, Banque Populaire skipper added: “Our boats are magical, and I am happy that we can share them with the public around great adventures. I can’t wait for it to start!”

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Which giant trimarans will be lining up at the start of the Arkea Ultim Challenge?

6 competitors are set to set off on the Arkea Ultim Challenge, the non-stop single-handed round-the-world race in January 2024. But which boats will these extraordinary sailors be racing? Let's take a look at the fastest trimarans on the planet and their history, both long and short.

An overview of the 6 Ultim trimarans that will set off in January 2024 to tackle the Arkea Ultim Challenge, the first single-handed round-the-world trimaran race.

This trimaran was launched in 2001 under the leadership of Olivier de Kersauzon. Designed by VPLP, it won the Jules Verne Trophy in 2003, after 68 days at sea. The multihull went on to win a whole series of records around the world .

After spending several years on a dry dock in Brest , she was taken over by Thomas Coville in 2014. After a thorough refit , in which only the arms and part of the floats were retained, Thomas won the solo round-the-world record , with a time of 49 days. He went on to win the crewed North Atlantic record , followed by the 2017 Transat Jacques Vabre .

The trimaran switches to Actual in 2019, with Yves le Blevec at the helm. In 2023, she is leased by Eric Peron to take part in the Arkea Ultim Challenge. Heavy, archimedean but reliable, she won't be able to compete with the foiling Ultim fleet in terms of pure speed , but her reliability and simplicity give her a good chance of completing this round-the-world race without making any technical stopovers.

Actual Ultim 3, Fra 53

Built in 2015 for Francois Gabart under the colors of Macif, this VPLP design has a serious track record . After winning the 2015 Transat Jacques Vabre , she went on to win The Transat in 2016, then swept the solo round-the-world record with a time of 42 days, of which she remains the holder.

In 2018, she received load-bearing plans, giving her a stabilized flight from 15 knots of wind. In 2020, after Macif withdrew, Yves le Blevec took over and renamed her Actual Ultim 3.

It will be lining up at the start of the Arkea Ultim Challenge with Anthony Marchand at the helm, with a reliable, regularly upgraded machine that could spring a surprise.

Maxi Edmond de Rothschild , FRA 17

Launched in 2017, the 17 e he yacht of the Gitana saga was designed by Guillaume Verdier, assisted by the Gitana Team design office. The first Ultim designed entirely for hydrofoil sailing, she boasts one of the most impressive track records in the class. The Route du Rhum, Transat Jacques Vabre and Brest Atlantique have all been won with Charles Caudrelier at the helm. Only the Jules Verne, attempted twice, has escaped this multihull.

Building on this success, Gitana Team has announced the start of construction of her replacement, due to hit the water in 2025.

Sodebo Ultim 3, Fra 73

Launched in 2019, Sodebo Ultim was designed by a team comprising Design Team Sodebo, Renaud Bañuls Design and VPLP. She stands out mainly for her cockpit and living area forward of the mast step . The aim of this architectural choice was to lower the height of the boom, thus creating a mainsail plate effect. This architectural choice also improves forward visibility and brings the center of gravity forward.

In 2020, Thomas Coville and his crew set out to conquer the Jules Verne. After achieving a lead of up to 700 miles, the crew was forced to retire due to rudder failure.

The best solo performance is a 3 e place in the Route du Rhum 2022, where Sodebo Utlim 3 stayed in touch with SVR Lazartigue and Maxi Edmond de Rothschild .

With a move kept secret, Sodebo Ultim 3 has been upgraded with a new mast and a new pair of foils. The Arkea Ultim Challenge will provide Thomas with the opportunity to launch his 9 e round-the-world race. He will also be the only competitor to have completed a solo circumnavigation on a multihull.

SVR Lazartigue, Fra 1

The trimaran will be launched in 2021, with François Gabart as skipper. With a displacement of 15 tons, she has a fully protected cockpit under the deck of the central hull. This special feature has led to a number of legal disputes with the Ultim class, which considered her to be non-compliant with the measurement rules.

After a major refit enabling him to enter the Ultim class, François Gabart handed over the helm to Tom Laperche . Since her launch, she has finished second in every ocean race she has entered. Displacing 15 tons, she is particularly at ease in transitional phases and light airs, as well as in close-to-wind points of sail .

Maxi Banque Populaire XI , Fra 11

The latest addition to the Ultim class, Banque Populaire XI was launched in 2021. Skippered by Armel Le Cleach, it boasts a particularly well-developed aerodynamic profile. For its first race, it ranked 3 e in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2021, with Kévin Escoffier as co-skipper. Its 16-ton displacement, one of the heaviest in the fleet, is explained by the team's desire to choose a machine with a reliable structure.

After a disappointing Route du Rhum 2022 due to a broken daggerboard, Armel demonstrated the potential of his trimaran by winning the Transat Jacques Vabre 2023 with Sébastien Josse as co-skipper. A cut above the competition in downwind conditions and unbridled in winds over 18 knots, he is clearly one of the event's favorites.

Which giant trimarans that have already circumnavigated the globe are not taking part in the Arkea Ultim challenge?

Idec Sport, ocean racing's most successful trimaran is currently under construction at Multiplast , with a view to entering the Jules Verne Trophy with a 100% female crew , led by Alexia Barrier .

The Irens Castorama design set the solo round-the-world record in 2005, with Ellen Mac Arthur at the helm. It has been skippered by Romain Pillard since 2018, who has announced he is preparing for the round-the-world record in reverse.

Spindrift II who won the Jules Verne Trophy in 2011, has just returned to Brittany after a long period on standby, with a view to attempting the crewed North Atlantic record . Too long to enter the Ultim class, he was not eligible to take part in the Arkea Ultim Challenge.

Published on January 2nd, 2024 | by Editor

Countdown to the Ultimate race

Published on January 2nd, 2024 by Editor -->

The ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE – Brest starts from Brest, France on January 7 and will be the first ever solo race round the world on giant Ultim trimarans, the biggest and fastest ocean-going sailboats in the world.

Unlike speed records which depart in ideal weather windows for a race against the clock, six solo skippers will push the boundaries of singlehanded racing with class boats that are a maximum length of 32 meters and a maximum width of 23 meters.

Entrants: • Charles Caudrelier (FRA), Maxi Edmond de Rothschild (2017 Verdier 32/23) • Thomas Coville (FRA), Sodebo Ultim 3 (2019 VPLP/others 32/23) • Tom Laperche (FRA), Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue (2021 VPLP 32/23) • Armel Le Cléac’h (FRA), Maxi Banque Populaire XI (2021 VPLP 32/23) • Anthony Marchand (FRA), Actual Ultim 3 (2015 VPLP 30/22) • Éric Péron (FRA), Trimaran Adagio (2014 VPLP 31/21)

As a reference, the solo speed record was set in 2017 by François Gabart (FRA) on the 30m Macif trimaran in a time of 42d 14h 40m 15s for an average speed of 21.08 knots. This yacht has been rebranded and will be raced by Marchand.

Coville is the skipper who has completed the most round-the-world passages on a multihull. He competed in five, completed the loop three times and was once the record holder around the world (49 days and 3 hours in 2016).

“We need to find the right approach to sustain the right level on this unique and singular challenge,” noted Coville. “There is a very big psychological dimension. We are constantly seeking to work at or near our limits, to go beyond normal effort levels despite the accumulated lack of sleep, the risk, the frustrations, the anxiety, the ice.

“I like to tell myself that we are not racing but that we are on a tough expedition. There are days when you burst into tears, days when you scream, days when you go crazy. You end up being a mix between euphoria, exhaustion, and elation.”

Details: https://arkeaultimchallengebrest.com/en

Five rules from the Sailing Instructions: • The start line is kept open for 168 hours and the finish line is closed after an elapsed time of 100 days after the start time, that is to say 16th April 2024.

• The skippers can communicate and exchange with their teams on shore, so they have the freedom to get weather information and be routed by their team on shore and get technical help and advice to help with technical problems.

• The solo skippers can stop but there are two distinct operations. A technical stop is unassisted and requires the sailor to drop anchor, take a mooring, or tie up alongside an anchored or moored boat with no external help. There is no time penalty for a technical stop. But for a technical stopover (escale technique) where one or more crew or technical team come on board to help, there is a mandatory 24 hours minimum. This does not apply to the start port of Brest where all means are authorized to reach or leave the port within a radius of 50 miles.

• For the first time in ocean racing, zones where there are known to be a high concentration of whales and sea mammals are determined. Establishing these zones should both protect the marine wildlife and reduce the chance of a collision. These zones are around the Azores, the Canaries, south of South Africa, the Kerguelens, and parts of the Antarctic.

• There are ice exclusion zones to protect the skippers and their boats.

Tags: ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE – Brest

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