Banque Populaire is one of the world’s most experienced and successful sailing teams, and was the force behind Armel Le Cléac’h’s 2016 record-breaking Vendée Globe victory, they now have a…
Ultime
François Gabart launches latest record-chasing trimaran
Francois Gabart, currently the fastest man to sail solo non-stop around the world, has unveiled his latest trimaran, the radical SVR-Lazartigue. Previously codenamed ‘M101’ the trimaran has taken two and…
Aiming for the impossible: The inside story of the 2020 Jules Verne contenders
Forty days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds: that is the time that is embedded in the psyche of crews currently challenging for the Jules Verne trophy. The clock…
Jules Verne Trophy: Head-to-head foiling battle begins for round the world record
The time to beat is 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds, set in 2017 by Jules Verne Trophy holder Francis Joyon on Idec Sport. First to announce…
Battle of the giants: The inside story of the Brest Atlantiques Race
On Tuesday 5 November four giant trimarans – Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, Macif, Sodebo and Actual Leader, and their double-handed crews – left a grey and sodden Brest on Brittany’s…
Four Ultimes fly into Biscay in new 14,000-mile Brest Atlantiques race
The four Ultimes set off in a 30-knot north-westerly wind and heavy sea with 4.5 metres waves, and were rapidly reaching boat speeds of 30 knots plus. The start had…
Fastnet record falls to Maxi Edmond de Rothschild as Ultimes finish 1 minute apart
Before the start of this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race it was far from clear that the race record for the 603-mile bluewater classic would be in any danger, with predominantly…
Ultimes lead the charge for 388-boat fleet in Rolex Fastnet Race start
A total entry of 388 yachts – another record turnout – started in this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race today, Saturday 3 August from Cowes on the Isle of Wight. The…
Trying to break the 40-day barrier: Thomas Coville and the most radical Ultime yet
This week solo yachtsman Thomas Coville opened the doors to the build of his Sodebo Ultim 3, the newest Ultime trimaran and a conceptually very different design to those seen…
Record fleet sets off for 40th Route du Rhum, with 40-knot conditions forecast
Along a three-mile start line off St Malo, 123 boats set off on the 40th Route du Rhum singlehanded transatlantic race to Guadaloupe this afternoon. For most of the skippers, setting…
Revolutionary Gitana 17 trimaran to foil solo across oceans at 50 knots
A revolutionary 100ft fully foiling oceangoing trimaran capable of covering more than 900 miles in a day and sailing at speeds of 50 knots was launched in Lorient this week.…
Video: a look aboard MACIF, the giant trimaran designed to shatter world records
Before he left on his first solo transatlantic race this weekend, French sailor François Gabart allowed us this look aboard his 100ft/31m trimaran MACIF. Designed by VPLP, MACIF has been…