It is a real feat that Thomas Coville and his crew have just achieved by reaching the finish line off the coast of Ouessant in almost 40 days. A round the world sailing record for the skipper of Sodebo Ultim 3 who comes to the top of a great list of champions. With almost 13 hours ahead of Francis Joyon’s previous record, it ends the nine-year reign of the skipper ofIdec Sportwinner in 2017.
With this 10th world tour completed, Thomas Coville finally enters the list of winners of the Jules Verne Trophy. Although his name was already present in 2010. He was then a crew member on the boat Groupama 3 by Franck Cammas. At the time, they completed a trip around the world in 48 days, 7 hours and 44 minutes.
In the meantime, the record also fell in 2012 with a boat under the command of Loïck Peyron. THE Maxi Banque Populaire V had traveled the globe in 45 days, 13 hours and 42 minutes. Ludovic Peyron was not the first in the family to achieve this feat. His older brother, Bruno Peyron, is the first record holder in the event and the only one to have achieved this feat three times.
In 1993 he was the first to take part in the Jules Verne Trophy, under the aegis of Jack Lang, Minister of Culture. He completed this trip around the world in 79 days, 6 hours and 15 minutes. His other records date from 2002 (64 days, 8 hours and 37 minutes) and 2005 (50 days, 16 hours and 59 minutes). At the time, the battle was raging with his great rival Olivier de Kersauson. The latter held the records twice in 1997 and 2004.
To date, the only non-French skippers who have achieved the record are New Zealanders. Peter Blake and Robin Knox-Johnston lasted three years (1994 to 1997) with their 74 days, 22 hours and 17 minutes before seeing de Kersauson take them back.
List of Round the World Sailing Records:
2026 – Thomas Coville (Sodebo Ultim 3) – 40 j, 10 h, 45 min, 50 s
2017 – Francis Joyon (Idec Sport) – 40 j, 23 h, 30 min
2012 – Loïck Peyron (Maxi Banque Populaire V) – 45 j, 13 h, 42 min
2010 – Franck Cammas (Groupama 3) – 48 j, 7 h, 44 min
2005 – Bruno Peyron (Orange II) – 50 j, 16 h, 20 min
2004 – Olivier de Kersauson (Géronimo) – 63 j, 13 h, 59 min
2002 – Bruno Peyron (Orange) – 64 j, 8 h, 37 min
1997 – Olivier de Kersauson (Sport-Elec) – 71 j, 14 h, 22 min
1994 – Peter Blake et Robin Knox-Johnston (Made in New Zealand) – 74 j, 22 h, 17 min
1993 – Bruno Peyron (Commodore Explorer) – 79 j, 6 h, 15 min
Note that in the history of this race, there have been no less than 27 unsuccessful attempts made by well-known skippers. François Gabart, Charles Caudrelier and Ellen MacArthur tried it but mostly broke their wings… Well, their sails.
