The crew of the trimaran Sodebo, led by Thomas Coville, is setting off again for the Jules Verne Trophy and an attempt to break the world record. The boat and its crew are on standby for a weather window between mid-December and mid-January.
After a remarkable second place in the Transat Café l’Or, Thomas Coville and his crew are taking on a new challenge: breaking the Jules Verne Trophy record for the fastest crewed, non-stop, unassisted sail around the world. Held since 2017 by Francis Joyon and his crew in 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes, and 30 seconds aboard his trimaran Idec, this record remains one of the holy grails of ocean sailing. Sodebo Ultim 3, which has already attempted the record twice in 2020 and 2024, is preparing for a new attempt starting mid-December 2025. An adventure to follow closely, with an unprecedented interactive map and a crew united by experience.
Key Points
- Record to Beat: 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes, and 30 seconds.
- Crew: Thomas Coville, Benjamin Schwartz, Frédéric Denis, Pierre Leboucher, Léonard Legrand, Guillaume Pirouelle, Nicolas Troussel – the same team as in 2024.
- Departure Window: Standby from mid-December 2025 to mid-January 2026, waiting for favorable weather to complete the Ushant-Cape of Good Hope leg in less than 12 days.
- Boat: Sodebo Ultim 3, an Ultime-class trimaran optimized for speed and endurance, capable of reaching speeds over 40 knots.
- Innovation: Immersive mapping with real-time tracking, onboard camera, live land-sea exchanges, and a Q&A space for the public.
The Jules Verne Trophy: An Extreme Challenge
A Legendary Record
The Jules Verne Trophy rewards the fastest crewed, non-stop, unassisted sail around the world on a 21,760 nautical mile (40,300 km) course. Created in 1992, it demands absolute excellence: sailing 24/7 at very high speeds, often in hostile conditions. The reference time, set in 2017, remains out of reach for most crews.
Sodebo Ultim 3’s Previous Attempts
- 2020: Abandoned in the Indian Ocean due to damage.
- 2024: Attempt interrupted by the loss of a central rudder in the Pacific.
- 2025: After a 2nd place finish in the Transat Café l’Or (less than 4h30 behind the winners), the team confirms its high performance and determination.
Sodebo Ultim 3: A Boat and Crew Ready for the Feat
The Trimaran
- Length: 32 meters
- Width: 23 meters
- Foils: Adjustable hydrodynamic appendages to optimize lift and stability.
- Speed: Capable of exceeding 40 knots, with peaks recorded at nearly 50 knots.
- Energy: Thermal generator, solar panels, wind turbine.
The Crew
Thomas Coville, an experienced skipper, is surrounded by the same sailors as in 2024. A well-drilled team, where each member knows their role and the boat’s limits.
“We have a story to finish together, we’re giving ourselves this chance.” – Thomas Coville
Meticulous Preparation
Searching for the Ideal Weather Window
The departure will take place as soon as a weather window allows for a quick Ushant-Cape of Good Hope leg, ideally in less than 12 days. A crucial decision, as success often depends on this first segment.
Intense Technical Work
Since returning to Lorient, the boat has been dismantled, inspected, and optimized to face extreme conditions. The technical team worked at record speed to reconfigure the trimaran for crewed sailing and push performance limits.
Follow the Attempt Live
An Immersive Experience
Sodebo is pushing the boundaries of race tracking with enhanced mapping:
- Interactive Dashboard: Who is on watch, who is maneuvering, who is resting, real-time race data.
- Onboard Camera: Live images to experience the pace at over 40 knots.
- Live Chat: Exchanges between the boat and land, routing, strategy, and live decisions.
- Fan Zone: Dedicated space to ask questions to the shore team.
Why This Attempt is Worth Following
- A Human and Technical Challenge: Sailing at the limit of possibilities, in isolated and hostile environments.
- A Race Against Time: Every hour counts to break the record.
- A Shared Adventure: The public can experience the race from the inside, understand the choices, stakes, and situations encountered.