Arkea Ultim Challenge: Charles Caudrelier celebrates second Cape success with fabulous record
Tatjana Pokorny
· 26.01.2024
Charles Caudrelier's new record is marvellous! The "Maxi Edmond de Rothschild" skipper has passed Cape Leeuwin, the second of the three major Cape milestones, in the Arkea Ultim Challenge. The 49-year-old from Fouesnant achieved the feat after 18 days, 5 hours and 43 minutes. Never before has a solo sailing boat mastered this passage faster.
Arkea Ultim Challenge: Caudrelier continues on record course
A direct comparison with the previous record, set by François Gabart ("Macif") in 2017, is not easy because the starting lines for the old and the current record were not quite the same. However, even taking into account the small difference in latitude between the two starting lines, experts agree: Charles Caudrelier passed the section from Brest to Cape Leeuwin with a lead of 1 day, 8 hours and 25 minutes, well ahead of the old Gabart record.
Experts believe that Charles Caudrelier could achieve even more after his previous performances in the Arkea Ultim Challenge in the Pacific. For comparison: François Gabart's record time for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the world is 42 days, 16 hours, 40 minutes and 35 seconds.
At Cape Leeuwin: 13,007 nautical miles with a speed average of 29.45 knots!
The current figures show the potential of the Gitana frontman Charles Caudrelier, who has been leading the race since the South Atlantic: Caudrelier has completed 13,007 nautical miles from the start to Cape Leeuwin at an average speed of 29.54 knots. Caudrelier then continued his course for a better wind angle with a north-easterly tendency. The "Maxi Edmond de Rothschild" is heading for Tasmania, where Caudrelier is expected to arrive on Saturday after a few more gybes.
Around 1,800 nautical miles behind Charles Caudrelier, Thomas Coville sailed his own race on "Sodebo Ultim 3" as fleet runner-up in this historic premiere of the Arkea Ultim Challenge. The 55-year-old was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief before the start of the weekend after several days of strong winds, was pleased about the slight relaxation at sea and took the good opportunity to repair his foil-down system.
You can see that the boat is not one hundred per cent fit" (Guillaume Rottée)
"It's a huge joy, a moment of rare intensity," explained Thomas Coville with tears in his eyes in a video that he published on the evening of 25 January. The skipper from Saint-Brieuc said: "It never goes according to plan, but we did it after a lot of hard work from the whole team! We made something good out of it." Race committee member Guillaume Rottée explained: "He has come into a zone with a little less wind. However, his course remains somewhat irregular, as do the speeds ... You can see that the boat is not one hundred per cent fit."
Armel Le Cléac'h is struggling to catch up with Thomas Coville in third place almost 970 nautical miles further west. The "Banque Populaire XI" skipper has recently made up ground on Thomas Coville, even though he has been significantly slower since the middle of the night on 26 January. "He had a sudden drop in speed (Red.: around 10 knots) and completed a manoeuvre during the night. You can see that there was a change of rhythm," said Guillaume Rottée. It could have been a transition zone to be crossed or a technical problem, although neither the skipper nor the team commented on this on Friday morning.
Two teams in the pit stop in Cape Town
Meanwhile, Cape Town is a hive of activity. Two teams will be active at the pit stop there from this Friday. "SVR Lazartigue" skipper Tom Laperche had already spoken of a glimmer of hope for his boat, which was damaged in a "UFO" collision, after intensive check and repair work in Cape Town on Thursday. He explained: "The continuation of the race is a mini possibility."
After a windless night and another delay, Anthony Marchand and "Actual Ultim 3" are finally expected to arrive in Cape Town on 26 January. Their initial plan was not to exceed the minimum dwell time of 24 hours prescribed by the regulations and to resume the race as quickly as possible.
