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The countdown is on for Sodebo Ultim 3. After more than 34 days sailing around the globe, Thomas Coville's trimaran has crossed the equator and returned to the Northern Hemisphere with a significant lead over the Jules Verne Trophy record. But there's still a long way to go: the North Atlantic, with its violent lows and the tricky task of rounding the Azores high, promises to be the final test of this extraordinary attempt.
Finally out of the South Atlantic
After rounding Cape Horn on Sunday, January 11, the seven sailors had to deal with a particularly complex climb back up the South Atlantic. The cause: a poorly positioned St. Helena High, generating vast zones of calm and tricky route choices.
" We had a hard time getting out of the South Atlantic" admitted Thomas Coville. To stay in contact with the wind, Sodebo Ultim 3 skirted the unstable zones, at the cost of a longer route than IDEC Sport's "ghost", with around 6% more distance covered since the start.
These weather difficulties were compounded by damage: the J0's armor, the largest headsail, broke off the coast of Uruguay. " It took four to five hours of work before we could send back the J0" explains Guillaume Pirouelle. Once the boat was 100% restored, the crew crossed a dying low-pressure system before returning to more favorable trade winds.
" We're back in the trade winds, a little unstable but enough to make headway to the north "explains Thomas Coville. Conditions that enabled us to achieve some fine averages: " 30 to 35 knots in flat seas, with high spirits "smiles Guillaume Pirouelle.
Back to the Northern Hemisphere, still in the lead
The crossing of the equator marks an important moment for the crew, who left it on December 20, just 4 days and 4 hours after setting out from Ushant. This time, after more than a month at sea, the "Sodeboys" have confirmed their collective strength.
" The great thing about this adventure is that the courage of each individual encourages the courage of others" says Thomas Coville.
With a 20 h 49 lead over IDEC Sport at the equator crossing, the crew remains lucid:
" We would have liked to have had more of a lead, but it wasn't possible with the conditions we encountered. We're still ahead, and we're going to play with our cards."
The North Atlantic, last hurdle before the line
There are now 3,279 nautical miles (6,072 km) to go to the finish line between Ushant and Lizard Point. To beat the record, Sodebo Ultim 3 will have to cross the line before Sunday January 25 at 8:31pm.
But this last part promises to be formidable. " It's going to be very committed" warns Thomas Coville. The Azores high is more westerly than usual, forcing the trimaran to sail close-hauled in the northerly trade winds.
" After the doldrums, we'll be entering the northerly trade winds to climb up to the anticyclone, then round it to the east" explains Philippe Legros, head of the routing unit. Next, the crew will have to deal with a violent low-pressure system expected over the North Atlantic, generating very heavy seas off Spain and in the Bay of Biscay.
Sodebo Ultim 3 could come under its influence as early as Friday, with conditions described as "extremely virulent" by the routers.
Last sprint to a mythical record
On board, determination is intact. The seven sailors know that everything will be decided in the next few days, at the end of a final run that is as strategic as it is physical. The goal is clear: to reach Ushant by Sunday evening and add Sodebo Ultim 3's name to the list of Jules Verne Trophy winners, the legendary round-the-world sailing record that remains unbeaten since 2017.
