The trimaran Sodebo Ultim 3, skippered by French sailor Thomas Coville, has won the Trophée Jules Verne, setting a new non-stop round-the-world sailing record. The crew completed the circumnavigation in 40 days, 10 hours, 45 minutes and 50 seconds, improving on the previous record held by IDEC Sport since 2017 by 12 hours and 44 minutes.

Departure took place on 15 December 2024 from the island of Ouessant, Brittany, with arrival on Sunday, 24 January 2026. Alongside Coville were Benjamin Schwartz, Frédéric Denis, Pierre Leboucher, Léonard Legrand, Guillaume Pirouelle and Nicolas Troussel. Breaking this record required nine years and thirteen attempts, three of which were by Team Sodebo.

During the voyage, the crew faced complex weather conditions, lengthening their route in the Atlantic, then sailing at low latitudes near Antarctica among icebergs, and finally withstanding Storm Ingrid as they approached the finish. Despite the difficulties, the trimaran set new reference times at the Equator and in the Pacific, as well as at the three great ocean capes: Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn.

The Trophée Jules Verne requires an eastward circumnavigation with departure and return at Ouessant, with no particular restrictions on the type of vessel or crew composition. The theoretical course is 21,600 nautical miles, equivalent to over 40,000 kilometres, although actual routes are generally longer.

Sodebo Ultim 3 is an Ultim-class ocean trimaran, 32 metres long and 23 metres wide, equipped with a 34-metre mast supporting sails of up to 697 square metres. The vessel is fitted with foils that allow the hulls to lift from the water and can reach speeds three times that of the wind, with maximum peaks around 50 knots, approximately 90 kilometres per hour.

For Thomas Coville, this represents his third Trophée Jules Verne victory, but his first as skipper. Previously, he was part of the winning crews of Sport-Elec in 1997 and Groupama 3 in 2010. This was his eighth attempt since 2016, having been stopped previously by technical failures or unfavourable weather conditions.

"It's an immense joy, made of relief and emotion," declared Patricia Brochard, co-president of Sodebo. "It's the result of the wonderful story we've shared with Thomas for 27 years. What makes us proud is seeing women and men united around a common project, with unwavering determination."

During the circumnavigation, the crew used technical clothing provided by Helly Hansen, Coville's technical partner. The extreme conditions encountered during the round-the-world voyage, from Antarctic cold to the humid heat of equatorial zones, require adequate protection to face continuous sailing and unconventional rest shifts. The crew used the Ægir ocean suit, consisting of the Ægir Ocean Jacket 2.0 foul-weather jacket and the Ægir Ocean Bib 2.0 salopettes, made with Helly Tech Professional fabric, a three-layer waterproof, breathable and windproof laminate.

The Norwegian brand collaborates with professional sailors to develop technical solutions for the most challenging ocean conditions. "The sport of sailing is constantly evolving," explained Øyvind Vedvik, vice president Sailing at Helly Hansen. "In the same way, the characteristics and performance of clothing must also evolve. We are honoured by the opportunity to work closely with some of the best sailors and crews in the world, whose contribution has inestimable value in developing innovative designs."

This is the tenth record set for the Trophée Jules Verne since 1993, when Bruno Peyron aboard Commodore Explorer completed the first official circumnavigation in 79 days.