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.
Adagio
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.
