Arkea Ultim Challenge: Caudrelier loses 1,000 miles on pursuers

It is certainly not the ascent of the Atlantic that Charles Caudrelier, the commanding leader of theArkea Ultim Challenge, was dreaming of, and in recent days he has seen more than 1,000 miles of the margin he had over pursuers Thomas Coville and Armel Le Cleac’h evaporate.

In fact, Edmond de Rotschild has often sailed upwind in inconstant winds, contouring an anticyclonic zone, and still has not been able to engage the southeast trade winds that are a sort of highway to the north. In the last 24 hours Caudrelier has covered just over 300 miles, a pittance for an Ultim trimaran capable of doing as much as 800 in certain conditions.

Arkea Ultim Challenge – Goodbye Record

No major technical problems are reported for Caudrelier, but it is clear that the 40-day goal is now blurred, and the target of 42, a record on the solo round-the-world race held by François Gabart, also appears nearly impossible. The estimated ETA for Caudrelier’s arrival in Brest, which has 6300 miles to cover, is indeed around Feb. 23-24, when the Frenchman will be around the 46th day of sailing, off all records. After all, it takes more than technological advancement to beat records that have endured since 2017; it also takes a bit of luck in weather conditions.

Actual and Adagio are the only two trimarans that are still in the middle of the Pacific. For them, the Arkea Ultim Challenge has been plagued by several breakdowns, and the remaining goal is just to finish the course with the boat intact.