Arkea Ultim Challenge: Finish in sight - Caudrelier celebrates his 50th birthday at sea on day 50

Charles Caudrelier still has a few hours to fight. Gitana's number one still had a good 300 nautical miles to go to the finish of the Arkea Ultim Challenge off Brest on Monday afternoon. At a reduced speed, the "Maxi Edmond de Rothschild" skipper approached his triumph in the historic premiere of the solo round-the-world race with maximum caution. The motto: just don't take any more risks now, for heaven's sake don't catch any collisions or other mishaps, as the finish line is almost in sight.

A 50th birthday after 50 days at sea

This 26 February is a very special day in the life of Charles Caudrelier. The two-time Ocean Race winner from Fouesnant is celebrating his 50th birthday alone on board after 50 days at sea. It almost worked out with the huge arrival party for the day of honour, but stormy conditions on the last few hundred nautical miles meant that the "Maxi Edmond de Rothschild" skipper had to exercise caution in the final spurt.

The former Figaro and Transat Jacques Vabre winner is on the brink of the greatest triumph of his career. According to the latest calculations and estimates by the Gitana team, Charles Caudrelier and his Ultim giant are expected to arrive in Brest on Tuesday morning (27 February). Thomas Coville ("Sodebo Ultim 3") could complete his circumnavigation next Thursday (29 February). Armel Le Cléac'h ("Maxi Banque Populaire XI") will probably cross the finish line next weekend, Saturday or Sunday.

Charles Caudrelier will forget that his birthday is already over when he arrives to celebrate. The now 50-year-old with a penchant for gourmet food and a great talent for solo and team performances is looking forward to a phenomenal reception. Anyone who wants to experience this should check out the information on the live broadcast on the morning of 27 February on the Homepage of the Arkea Ultim Challenge follow. The organisers and Brest's sailing-crazy audience are ready for a superlative victory party. Drones, helicopters and speedboats will be in action to show the grand finale from all angles.

Arkea Ultim Challenge: almost 30,000 nautical miles in the stern water

The eighth week of the soloists at sea has now begun with day 50. For Charles Caudrelier, week seven was once again characterised by uncertainties and a safety stop in Horta on the Azores. Caudrelier's main aim there was to ride out the very bad Bay of Biscay weather caused by two low-pressure systems in the North Atlantic. The pit stop did not mentally take the Gitana skipper out of the race. Caudrelier reported that he felt more comfortable back on his boat after the three-day break than on land. At the end of week seven, "Maxi Edmond de Rothschild" had already mastered 28,200 nautical miles in solo mode. The last ones are now underway.

Meanwhile, the organisers in Brest have called for the arrival of Charles Caudrelier to be watched from land if possible. The race organisers are calling for maximum caution and vigilance from all those wishing to witness the arrival on the water. "We prefer to encourage spectators to watch the arrival from the shore and from land," explained Pierre Hays from the race organisers.

• to the live tracker

Joyeux anniversaire, Charles Caudrelier! To mark the Gitana skipper's 50th birthday, his team has dedicated a video clip to him:

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