A first solo round-the-world race
In July 2021, OC Sport Pen Duick in collaboration with the Ultim 32/23 class, announced a world tour reserved for the giants of the seas . Initially scheduled for 2023, the newly named Arkea Ultim Challenge will depart from Brest on January 7, 2024.
Expected for 15 years, this is the first time that the Ultims will sail around the world single-handed and non-stop, all in a race. For several of them, it will not be a first since some of them have already completed a single-handed round-the-world race in record mode, the Saint-Exupéry Trophy. François Gabart has held the title since 2017 in 42 days 16 hours and 40 minutes .
Before the departure, a village of animations installed on the commercial port will welcome the visitors from December 29th, and this during 10 days.
All the actors of the Ultim class... or almost
To date, we find all the members of the class: Thomas Coville on Sodebo Ultim 3, record holder of the solo round the world race in 2016, Charles Caudrelier on the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, winner of the 2022 Route du Rhum, Armel Le Cléac'h on the Maxi Banque Populaire XI, winner of the Vendée Globe in 2017 or Yves Le Blévec, Actual Ultim 3, fifth in the last Route du Rhum. A newcomer will join the ranks of participants. Eric Péron, who spent some time on the Ocean Fifty circuit will be on board Ultime Sailing, Yves le Blévec's former Actual. For the moment, the participation of François Gabart on SVR-Lazartigue is not announced.
A race director specializing in world tours
Guillaume Rottée has been appointed race director. He has already held several positions as race director or was part of the race direction team. He has been involved in the last three editions of the Route du Rhum destination Guadeloupe.
He will be accompanied by three assistants with multihull and circumnavigation expertise: Pierre Hays and Guillaume Evrard, from the Vendée Globe and Fred Le Peutrec, who will be the "Mr. Security" of the event.
