Brest, France – After 94 days, 21 hours, and 58 minutes at sea, French adventurer Guirec Soudée completed a historic voyage on Saturday, smashing the record for the fastest solo, reverse circumnavigation of the globe. Soudée finished the challenging route – sailing west against prevailing winds and currents – aboard his 32-meter (105-foot) trimaran, the MACSF.
The 34-year-old sailor crossed a virtual finish line located between the island of Ouessant, off the coast of Brittany, and the Lizard Point in southwest England at 9:34 AM local time. Soudée’s achievement eclipses the previous record of 122 days and 14 hours, set in 2004 by fellow Frenchman Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, who completed the journey on the monohull Adrien.
“I’m happy for him, happy to observe my record beaten during my lifetime. It’s been 22 years!” Van Den Heede told AFP earlier this week, demonstrating a sportsmanlike spirit as Soudée approached the finish.
This remarkable feat marks the first time a multihull vessel has successfully completed a reverse circumnavigation, a testament to both Soudée’s skill and the capabilities of the MACSF trimaran. Previous record attempts were all undertaken on monohulls, considered more stable and resilient for the demanding conditions of this counter-current route. The journey covered over 37,670 nautical miles (approximately 70,000 kilometers).
A Challenging Voyage Marked by Resilience
Soudée’s journey wasn’t without its obstacles. The sailor, who first gained public recognition for a round-the-world voyage with his hen, Monique, between 2014 and 2018, and subsequent transatlantic crossings by rowboat (2020-2021), faced a series of setbacks during this latest endeavor. After rounding Cape Horn in January, Soudée was forced to deviate significantly north of the most direct route to avoid particularly treacherous weather conditions and protect his boat.
Further complicating matters, Soudée spent weeks navigating with a damaged starboard rudder after a collision with a fishing vessel near the Cape of Excellent Hope. This incident threatened to derail the entire attempt, requiring careful repairs and adjustments to maintain control of the powerful trimaran.
Despite these challenges, Soudée persevered, demonstrating remarkable seamanship and determination. Hours before crossing the finish line, he expressed a simple desire: “I want to find all the people who [I] miss” and “my ultimate dream is to sleep for a few hours non-stop.”
The Significance of a Reverse Circumnavigation
Sailing against the prevailing winds and currents makes a reverse circumnavigation significantly more difficult than a traditional eastward route. The dominant trade winds and the powerful Antarctic Circumpolar Current create a constant headwind, demanding exceptional navigational skill and a robust vessel. The route requires sailors to constantly adjust course and battle challenging sea states.
The traditional round-the-world sailing record, navigating east with the prevailing winds, currently stands at 40 days and 10 hours, set by Thomas Coville and his crew aboard the trimaran Sodebo in January 2017 during the Jules Verne Trophy race. Soudée’s achievement highlights the distinct challenges and unique demands of attempting a circumnavigation against the natural flow of the oceans.
A Hero’s Welcome Awaits in Brest
Guirec Soudée is expected to arrive in the port of Brest around 2:00 PM local time, where a crowd of sailing enthusiasts and supporters will be waiting to greet him. Notably, Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, the previous record holder, will be present on the dock to congratulate Soudée on his accomplishment.
The MACSF’s support of Soudée’s project represents a strategic move for the insurance company, maintaining its presence in the world of competitive sailing during a transitional period for its IMOCA program. The company’s new IMOCA vessel won’t be delivered until early 2026, allowing them to back this extraordinary challenge in the interim.
Soudée’s successful completion of this record-breaking voyage is a testament to human endurance, navigational expertise, and the relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries in the world of sailing. It’s a story of overcoming adversity and achieving a remarkable feat against the odds.
Next Up: Soudée is expected to arrive in Brest this afternoon, where he will be greeted by supporters and the previous record holder, Jean-Luc Van Den Heede. Follow updates on the MACSF website for live coverage and further details on the celebration.
