From Monohulls to Monsters: Louis Burton Joins the Ultim Class
In the world of professional sailing, there are transitions, and then there are complete shifts in reality. For Louis Burton, the move from the 18-meter IMOCA monohulls to the 32-meter giants of the Ultim class is the latter.
The Saint-Malo-based skipper, a veteran of four Vendée Globe campaigns, announced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, that he is stepping away from the monohull circuit to grab the helm of a trimaran. It is a move Burton describes as a “change of universe,” marking a bold new chapter for a sailor who has already tasted the podium in one of the most grueling races on Earth.
A New Discipline, A New Scale
For those unfamiliar with the technical divide, the leap is staggering. Burton has spent fifteen years mastering the IMOCA circuit, sailing monohulls that measure 18 meters. The Ultim class, established in 2018 by a collective of sailors and owners, represents the elite tier of multihull racing. These are not just boats; they are floating carbon-fiber laboratories designed for raw speed.
By taking over a 32-meter trimaran, Burton is entering what he calls “almost a new discipline.” The physics of handling a giant trimaran differ wildly from the solo monohull experience, requiring a different approach to stability, speed, and risk management.
To make this transition possible, Burton has signed a five-year partnership with the French ready-to-wear brand Armand Thiery. The deal facilitates the acquisition of the former Actual Ultim 3. If the current timeline holds, the vessel will be repainted and ready in the new team colors by June 15.
The Roadmap: Route du Rhum and Beyond
Burton isn’t simply joining the fleet for the sake of participation. He is positioning himself for the “queen of transatlantic races”—the Route du Rhum—scheduled for November. His arrival brings the prestigious Ultim fleet to seven boats as they prepare for the start.
However, the vision extends far beyond a single race. Burton and his partners are eyeing a long-term campaign that includes:
- The Route du Rhum: The immediate priority for November.
- The Ultim Challenge: The class’s signature endurance test.
- Transat Café L’Or: Another key fixture on the multihull calendar.
- Record Attempts: Utilizing the trimaran’s speed to chase existing ocean benchmarks.
Overcoming the Heartbreak of 2024
This pivot to the Ultim class comes after a period of significant professional upheaval. Burton’s long-standing collaboration with his historic sponsor, Bureau Vallée, ended in September. More painfully, his most recent attempt at the Vendée Globe ended in disappointment.
During the 2024 edition, Burton was forced to abandon the race on December 4. While sailing ahead of a depression in the demanding conditions of the Southern Ocean, he suffered serious damage to a mechanical element of his IMOCA’s rigging. Despite spending 10 hours attempting to find a repair solution, the damage rendered the boat unmaneuverable. Burton was forced to divert to Cape Town, ending a campaign where he had entered with hopes of repeating his previous podium success.
That previous success remains the hallmark of his career. Burton finished third in the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe, proving his resilience and tactical brilliance over the course of a non-stop solo circumnavigation.
Understanding the Ultim Class
For the global sports fan, the Ultim class is essentially the “Formula 1” of the ocean. Unlike the strictly regulated IMOCA class, Ultim boats are designed with far more freedom, allowing for the massive 32-meter lengths and trimaran configurations that allow them to slice through the water at speeds that would be unthinkable for a monohull.
Burton’s move is a calculated risk. He is trading the familiarity of the solo monohull world for the high-stakes, high-speed environment of the giants. For a 40-year-old sailor who “loves speed, on water as well as on shore,” it is a natural evolution.
Key Transition Details
| Feature | Previous (IMOCA) | New (Ultim) |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Type | 18m Monohull | 32m Trimaran |
| Key Sponsor | Bureau Vallée | Armand Thiery |
| Primary Goal | Vendée Globe | Route du Rhum / Records |
| Career Highlight | 3rd place (2020-21) | N/A (New Class) |
As Burton prepares to step onto the deck of his new trimaran, he does so as an “adopted Malouin” with fifteen transatlantic races and two round-the-world voyages under his belt. The technical learning curve will be steep, but the hunger for speed is evident.
The next major milestone for the project is June 15, when the boat is expected to be officially ready in its new colors. We will be tracking the progress of the Armand Thiery project as it heads toward the Route du Rhum in November.
Do you think Burton’s IMOCA experience will give him an edge in the Ultim class, or is the “change of universe” too drastic? Let us know in the comments.
