/ 
Over three days, Lorient La Base becomes the stage for an extraordinary multihull experience. For the first time, the 24H Ultim 2025 will bring together two ocean racing multihull classes: the 32-meter ULTIM trimarans and the 15-meter Ocean Fifty. As well as being a sporting exercise, the technical and tactical challenges of this confrontation offer a life-size laboratory for the duos involved.
A race architecture adapted to the ULTIM/Ocean Fifty confrontation
For this 2025 edition, the organizers have opted for a hybrid formula: offshore speed runs on Friday, followed by a 24-hour loop between Lorient and the Bay of Biscay on Saturday. The two classes sail separate courses, but follow similar patterns, enabling comparative analysis of performance.
ULTIMs, trimarans weighing over 15 tons with gigantic foils, must be maneuvered by duos in ocean racing configuration. Their Ocean Fifty counterparts, smaller but more responsive, focus on pure speed and fine trajectory management.
Managing a racing multihull in pairs: a technical feat
Double-handed sailing on these machines demands exemplary coordination. Between sail changes, watchkeeping, high-speed navigation and real-time decision-making, crews are constantly under pressure. Each class has its own constraints: the ULTIMs require precise management of the on-board automatic systems, while the Ocean Fifty boats rely on physical commitment and instantaneous reading of the race course.
The impact of the 24H Ultim as a warm-up for the Transat Café L'OR
Strategically positioned at the end of September, the 24H Ultim serves as a full-scale test before the transatlantic race in October. Crews can evaluate their pairings, test equipment and define onboard automatisms. The condensed format is ideal for simulating extreme scenarios in a short space of time.
The composition of duos: between continuity and new alliances
The crews range from established duos such as Le Cléac'h / Josse or Cammas / Laperche, to more recent associations such as Le Roch / Bourgnon on the new Edenred Ocean Fifty. The growing presence of female sailors in Ocean Fifty duos reflects the evolution of the discipline.
