Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine 2019 728x90

Thomas Coville set to secure spectacular new Singlehanded record

by Sodebo Ultim on 24 Dec 2016
Sodebo Ultim Jean-Marie Liot / DPPI / Sodebo
Sodebo Ultim’ is expected to cross the finish line under sail aboard his multihull early evening tomorrow Sunday 25 December. Since last night, his lead of over seven days in relation to the current record time has been continuing to increase. Having set sail 48 days ago, Thomas Coville is set to pass below the historic 50-day barrier for a single handed round the world voyage.

The skipper of Sodebo Ultim’ is powering along at high speed and on a direct course towards the finish line, which lies to the North of the island of Ushant situated some 700 miles (1,296 kilometres) ahead.

Yesterday morning, Thomas Coville hit the winds from the low pressure system that he’d been hunting down to the North of the Azores and for the past two days he’s been racking up what are astounding average speeds for a solo sailor. In so doing, he’s been continuing to increase his lead over the official record time, which stands at 57 days and 13 hours. These strong winds have been propelling him along on a direct course bound for Ushant, which he’s set to reach on Christmas night with a truly unimaginable singlehanded race against the clock. Today, a time of under 50 days is a very distinct possibility.



To secure a sub-50-day time, he must cross the finish line before Monday 26 December at 13:49 GMT.
Some dizzying average speeds over the past 24 hours confirm, if need be, the true extent of the sailor’s concentration and the exceptional potential of this boat. On a downwind point of sail and on flat seas, as is currently the case, the instrument panel on Sodebo Ultim’ is displaying distances in excess of 650 miles (1,200 kilometres) over the past 24 hours.

Since setting sail seven weeks ago, the skipper of Sodebo Ultim’ has already covered over 50,000 kilometres and only has a little over 1,300 kilometres to go before crossing the finish off Ushant.



It’s a finish that is synonymous with deliverance for the singlehanded sailor, who has been chasing down this record for nearly 10 years. Exhausted, completely worn out even after these past 48 hours alone manoeuvring his gigantic trimaran, Thomas Coville is continuing to focus hard on his sailing.

Though he’s still making very fast headway, Thomas will also try to rest up a little today so he can negotiate his finish off Ushant tomorrow as best he can. Indeed, as he closes on the coast and Brest in particular, the maritime shipping will inevitably increase.



Following the passage of the line, Thomas Coville will spend the whole night at sea with his team, who will join him aboard, an essential phase of decompression after 7 testing weeks alone at sea.

Sodebo Ultim’ will head to the entrance of the Brest narrows on Monday morning for an arrival alongside the pontoon on Quai Malbert in the early morning (timetable to be specified).


North Sails Loft 57 PodcastArmstrong 728x90 - Performance Mast Range - BOTTOMC-Tech 2020 Battens 2 728x90 BOTTOM

Related Articles

Nacra 17 Europeans at Sferracavallo preview
The opening ceremony tomorrow kicks off the event The picturesque Gulf of Sferracavallo is set to host the Nacra 17 European Championships, welcoming 18 teams and 36 elite sailors from 13 nations for a week of thrilling competition.
Posted on 4 Nov
Many enjoy free sailboat rides at STSC Open House
Offering free rides on IC24 sailboats and Hobie Wave catamarans Two words summed up 5-year-old Cason O'Brien's half-hour ride on an IC24 sailboat during Sunday's St. Thomas Sailing Center's (STSC) Open House.
Posted on 4 Nov
2024 OK Dinghy Europeans at Palma overall
Luke Deegan becomes first non-European OK Dinghy European Champion Luke Deegan, from New Zealand has won the 2024 OK Dinghy European Championship in Palma after a shortened week of challenging conditions with only four races completed.
Posted on 4 Nov
Berntsson victorious at Bermuda Gold Cup
The Swede and his Berntsson Sailing Team win event for the fourth time Sweden's Johnie Berntsson and his Berntsson Sailing Team of Herman Andersson, Oscar Angervall and Björn Lundgren have won their fourth Bermuda Gold Cup, successfully defending their 2023 title.
Posted on 4 Nov
How to livestream an event 101
A bit of background on the incredible 2024 IOM World Championships coverage Well, the 2024 IOM World Championships have been sailed and won. However, it's becoming evident that the real winners were those who managed to tune in to the incredibly professional Live Streaming of every race on YouTube.
Posted on 4 Nov
Swan Sardinia Challenge 2024 at Villasimius
Victory for Japan's Swing over Switzerland's Anya Race, who wins the 2024 Nations League The Swan Sardinia Challenge concluded Saturday in Villasimius, in southeastern Sardinia. This international sailing event, held from October 30 to November 2, hosted the final stage of the 2024 Nations League for the ClubSwan Racing One Design circuit.
Posted on 4 Nov
Bay of Islands Sailing Week - Enter early and win
You chance to win a Coastal Offshore Biscay Jacket thanks to Henry Lloyd Australia and The Chandlery Now is the time to rally your crew and sign up for this iconic multi-day keelboat regatta, with all entries received prior to December 31st going in the draw to win a Coastal Offshore Biscay Jacket thanks to Henry Lloyd Australia and The Chandlery
Posted on 4 Nov
Affordable Precision: How Atto Changes the Game
Weighing just 75g and capable of measuring 250 kg working load Digitalisation has changed sailing. Technologies once reserved for Grand-Prix are permeating every level of the sport, giving sailors the ability to adopt elite racing and training practices - elevating the game across the board.
Posted on 4 Nov
HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Preview
Just two weeks remain until the highly anticipated 30th event Just two weeks remain until the highly anticipated 30th HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship, and the excitement is palpable! This year's event promises to showcase some of the Southern Hemisphere's finest youth match racing talent.
Posted on 4 Nov
Vendee Globe: Pip Hare on setting up a team
Pip Hare explains her journey in setting up a race team in a French and male dominated race Running your own race team is the dream of many current and would be professional sailors, and one that few achieve - let alone a woman in her late forties with just one Vendee Globe race in her logbook. Britain's Pip Hare backgrounds her journey.
Posted on 4 Nov