The final sprint is underway. And he looks committed, muscular and windy. Uncertain too. Launched in the crewed round-the-world record since December 15, “Sodebo Ultim” could, depending on the routing, complete its journey on Sunday. To capture the Jules Verne Trophy – the nautical challenge created almost half a century ago notably by Florence Arthaud, Olivier de Kersauson and Titouan Lamazou, so that offshore racing maintains a space of freedom (we leave when we want, on the boat we want) – they will have to cross the line, between Ouessant and Cape Lizard, before 8:31 p.m.
On paper, erasing the trace of “Idec Sport” which, in 2017 had achieved 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds, is not insurmountable. Especially since, early Monday morning, “Sodebo” passed the Equator, the final reference point of the route, 21 hours ahead of the mark of “Idec” helmed at the time by Francis Joyon.
