Seeking to Fulfill a Ten Year Dream

(December 6, 2016; Day 29, 21:23 UTC) – Thomas Coville (FRA) and his 31m maxi trimaran Sodebo Ultim’ is less than 500 nm from Cape Horn in his attempt to break the solo round the world record. His latest 24 hour run of 626.5 nm increases his margin to 1834.94 nm (+177 nm) ahead of the current record of 57d 13h 34m 6s set by Francis Joyon (FRA) on the 29.8m trimaran IDEC in January 2008.

With two-thirds of the tour now behind him, Coville should pass Cape Horn by Wednesday night at around 11pm (French time). Sodebo Ultim’ is expected to sign a new solo Pacific crossing record (10d 14h 26m owned by Joyon on IDEC) and put the flashing light on Ouessant with more than three days ahead of Francis Joyon’s record. It will then be the long and often tedious ascent of the Atlantic towards its starting point.

Tomorrow evening, Thomas Coville will leave the hostile and desert expanses of the Pacific Ocean. With 7613 nm remaining before the finish in Ouessant, he must reach before the January 3 at 04 hours 22 min to realize this dream that he has pursued for more than ten years: to become the fastest singlehanded man sailing around the world. For the past month, Thomas Coville has been piloting his Sodebo Ultim’ as if he were sailing with a crew of ten on board.

If he manages to keep pace, he can catch a favorable stream of southwesterly wind that will carry him far enough after Cape Horn. The concern is how, behind this train, there is another system providing much lower winds. As it is presently very cold at 57° South, Coville is eager to reach the Cape and give his heater a rest.

Team Sodebo – Facebook – Tracker

Background: Thomas Coville (FRA) and the 31m maxi trimaran SODEBO ULTIM started the attempt to break the solo round the world record from in Brest (France) on November 6. The current record of 57d 13h 34m 6s, which starts and finishes between the island of Ushant and Lizard Point in southern England, was set by Francis Joyon (FRA) on the 29.8m trimaran IDEC in January 2008.

Source: Team Sodebo