Arkea Ultim Challenge: Coville storms to the finish in second place, Le Cléac'h had to repair again

Thomas Coville reached the finish line of the Arkea Ultim Challenge on 29 February at 2.42 pm in second place. The 55-year-old "Sodebo Ultim 3" skipper took 53 days, 1 hour, 12 minutes and 40 seconds to complete his solo trip around the world. It was the 55-year-old's ninth round the world in total, the seventh with a multihull and the fifth solo.

Coville finishes a good two days after Caudrelier

As one of the most experienced multihull skippers, Thomas Coville was not spared by the weather conditions on his latest adventure and had to contend with numerous technical problems. Nevertheless, he persevered and made it to the end. Covill mastered the course in 53 days, 1 hour, 12 minutes and 40 seconds. At the finish line, Coville was separated from the already celebrated winner Charles Caudrelier by 2 days, 6 hours, 4 minutes and 58 seconds.

Thomas Coville was one of the first skippers to believe in the idea of the new Arkea Ultim Challenge. Before the start, it was he who spoke of a race "that will make history". Before, during and after the race, Coville always conveyed the feeling of being one of the proud pioneers of a new era. Not the top favourite on paper going into this historic first Arke Ultim Challenge, Thomas Coville managed his strength well despite multiple challenges and trials.

It's a bit like Apollo 13." Thomas Coville

Even in the first few days, he was able to demonstrate the strength and performance of his Ultim machine and always stayed in the game. Only the breakage of his foil-down system for the starboard foil slowed him down considerably. He had to let Charles Caudrlier and Tom Laperche, who was still in the race at the time, go. Thomas Coville's repairs dragged on for several days. His description: "It's a bit like Apollo 13: you're all alone with a few tools, your hands, your head, your energy and you work like a little ant."

With perseverance to the silver medal

In the Indian Ocean, when Tom Laperche had already had to give up and Charles Caudrelier was far behind, Coville charted his own course in the cold south. "I have to find a corridor through the air masses that meet, collide and create violent and erratic phenomena," he said, describing his world in the Southern Ocean. The weather systems were often not in his favour. Between exertion and vigilance, he suffered physically just as much as his boat.

The sailor and philosopher Coville described the end of his two-day repair pit stop on Tasmania with one of his most memorable sentences during this Arkea Ultim Challenge: "Starting again is like a heart that starts beating again." The race remained challenging, captivating and virulent for him right to the end. But Thomas Coville persevered and fought his duel with Armel Le Cléac'h in the Pacific. Coville said: "It's a privilege to fight a match with him."

I gave everything I had in me." Thomas Coville

Coville repeatedly gifted observers and fans with strong words and thoughts during his race around the world. After rounding Cape Horn, Thomas Coville was moved to tears: "For a long time you think you can't break down because there's nobody there. It's hostile, wild, impressive here, but they let us through". A few days later, he raved about a sunset: "It's pure, photogenic, simple". In the end, Coville was certain: "I always had the feeling that I had given everything I had in me".

While Thomas Coville was celebrated like a winner in second place in Brest on Thursday, Armel Le Cléac'h, who was in third place in the Atlantic, suffered another setback the day before. The 46-year-old had informed his team and the race management of a water ingress in the centre hull at around 6 p.m. on 28 February. "He spent a large part of the night plugging the holes and getting the water out of the boat as far as possible," reported Pierre Hays from the race organisation. On Thursday, Armel Le Cléac'h reached higher speeds again after successful repairs. He is expected to finish third in Brest on Sunday.

• to the live tracker of the Arkea Ultim Challenge

Re-Live from Brest - Thomas Coville's arrival:

This might also interest you:

• Technical interview: "There is no such thing as the perfect foil" - how hydrofoils work
• 470 World Championship: Diesch/Markfort remain strong, Wanser/Autenrieth advance
• Interview: "Women can also be adventurous" - Susann Beucke publishes autobiography