It took him a little over 50 days and 19 hours to complete his solo sailing trip around the world. Charles Caudrelier arrived this Tuesday morning, at 8:37 a.m., in Brest to win the first edition of the Arkéa Ultim Challenge, which started on January 7 from Finistère.
Celebrating his 50th birthday this Monday, February 26, aboard his Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, the sailor spent the last day at sea of his incredible journey moving at a moderate pace – just under around 20 knots – towards the tip of Brittany, in difficult weather conditions. With the sole objective: to bring the boat back safely and in one piece.
The 8th sailor in history to complete a solo round-the-world trip on a trimaran
The end of the race was long for the Finisterian, father of two children. Large leader from the South Seas, Charles Caudrelier stopped in the Azores in the middle of last week to let a violent storm pass over the Bay of Biscay. He had left all his main competitors at the start of the race, notably Tom Laperche, who suffered damage after 10 days and was forced to retire.
✨ Charles the Magnificent
???? He waited half a century to realize his dream of sailing around the world alone. And it is perhaps this much-hoped-for feat which will allow the public to discover this very discreet great sailor, often overlooked by the spotlight, despite his enormous… pic.twitter.com/Tql88Loe1p
— GitanaTeam (@GitanaTeam) February 26, 2024
Alone at sea, and above all alone in the world in this race, the winner of the 2022 Route du rhum knew how to perfectly manage his lead in his ascent towards Brest after passing Cape Horn far in front. This Tuesday he became the 8th man to complete a solo round the world trip on a trimaran since Alain Colas on his Manureva in 1974. His first pursuer, Thomas Coville (Sodebo) is expected for the weekend.
