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Arkea Ultim Challenge Skippers Ready to Go

• By OC Sport Pen Duick
• January 2, 2024

Compared with previous generations of round the world racers and adventurers, the six skippers ready to take on the Arkéa Ultim Challenge – Brest on January 7 are a new, different breed. Physically most are fitter and stronger than those who preceded them. Bear in mind each manoeuver is usually nearly 45 minutes of hard, physical work, not least requiring long periods at max effort on the pedestal winch.  


The “coffee grinder” is what Armel Le Cléac’h (Maxi Banque Populaire XI) calls “the hand bike.” The heart rate climbs, the arms, shoulders, chest and lower back are fully engaged and the beads of sweat very quickly become rivers of perspiration.

“I keep up a level of exercise so that we prepare all throughout the year, to just be able to maintain that level of sustained power output endurance and a good recovery,” says Le Cléac’h, skipper of Banque Populaire.

“It’s not really about all out power, max work rate like on an inshore grand prix boat, but it requires really excellent cardio, and core strength too.” He says

“In fact, it’s more like a trail run rather than a sprint,” adds Charles Caudrelier (Edmond de Rothschild). He ensures he does at least three physical preparation sessions per week and among them enjoys boxing, climbing, board sports, running and cycling. And in his build up Armel Le Cléac’h says he has worked out almost every day with swimming sessions, time in the weights gym or out on the bike.

Anthony Marchand (Actual Ultim 3) is mainly happy to just ensure he does a lot of water sports, regularly going kiting, winging, and surfing. “These allow you to work your cardio,” he says. “All your muscles and I like that it’s always in the same watery environment!”

At the same time everyone has also really focused on working on mental strength.

“If we have to deal well with the many different types of physical challenge that this race will bring, the mental dimension is almost more important,” says Tom Laperche (SVR-Lazartigue). “We just can’t overlook the mental demands of these boats and the impact that this stress can have over time.”

“The mental aspect is undoubtedly actually more valuable than the physical tests on this race,” agrees Charles Caudrelier.

“It’s not a race, it’s an expedition,” says Thomas Coville, skipper of Sodebo Ultim 3. Coville is the skipper who has completed the most round-the-world passages on a multihull—competing in five, completed the loop three times and was once the record holder around the world (49 days and 3 hours in 2016).

“We need to find the right approach to sustain the right level on this unique and singular challenge,” he says. “There is a very big psychological dimension. We are constantly seeking to work at or near our limits, to go beyond normal effort levels despite the accumulated lack of sleep, the risk, the frustrations, the anxiety, the ice.”

For Coville, the Arkea Ultim Challenge goes far beyond the scope of a sporting competition. “I like to tell myself that we are not racing but that we are on a tough expedition. There are days when you burst into tears, days when you scream, days when you go crazy. You end up being a mix between euphoria, exhaustion and elation.”

“What I’m looking for is a good level of balance” says Le Cléac’h. Yet all the skippers have their methods. Charles Caudrelier and Tom Laperche work with mental coaches. Caudrelier, the Edmond de Rothschild skipper, says, “with my physical trainer, I am very Cartesian, very numbers driven. We talk about fatigue, recovery, nutrition. And, of course, there are the times when you are exhausted without realizing that you are in the red zone.”

Laperche adds: “We know that there will be moments of euphoria, moments that are really challenging on the morale, so we work out how to manage this and to smooth out these emotions as much as possible to create the best possible performance.”

There are also those who do not have a mental trainer. This is the case with Anthony Marchand and Armel Le Cléac’h. Marchand says, “If you’re doing your second round the world you’ve seen the problems, you know what to focus on. Me, I’m a rookie: I go in ready to fight and obviously I ask myself fewer questions.” And blessed with so much experience, Armel Le Cléac’h prefers to focus on preparation. He wants to enjoy a level of confidence because he has mastered everything that makes up the pre-race preparations. “I try to tick all the boxes before the start,” he admits. “Above all what I am looking for is a balance in physical and technical preparations, in terms of recovery as well.”

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François Gabart launches latest record-chasing trimaran

• Helen Fretter
• July 23, 2021

François Gabart, the solo non-stop around the world record holder, has unveiled a radical new Ultim giant trimaran with 'fighter jet' helm stations

Francois Gabart, currently the fastest man to sail solo non-stop around the world , has unveiled his latest trimaran, the radical SVR-Lazartigue.

Previously codenamed ‘M101’ the trimaran has taken two and a half years to bring to fruition and yet again shifts the bar on what is considered radical in the giant foiling Ultim class.

The most obvious innovation for the new trimaran is that it has no ‘cockpit’. Instead of a covered or protected cockpit, François Gabart – and his crew on crewed record attempts or races – will sail the boat from inside. 

Launch day for Francois Gabart’s new Ultim trimaran SVR-Lazartigue. Note the steering ‘pods’ in the middle of the flush cockpit roof Photo: Maxime Horlaville

Besides foil developments and the ongoing search for hydrodynamic improvements, François Gabart’s team has placed huge emphasis on the search for aerodynamic improvements. While some of the other Ultims have retro-fitted panels to improve aero efficiency, SVR-Lazartigue has been designed for flight from the outset.

Key to this is the integration of the cockpit and living space within the central hull. Within the 5m2 central hull there are three main areas: a ‘cockpit’ to manoeuvre and steer the boat, a small galley space, and storage for sails etc. The cabin roof sits almost flush with the main arms and trampoline for minimum drag.

Giant curved foils and hydraulic controls on the SVR-Lazartigue Ultim Photo: Maxime Horlaville

Visibility forward is created via two fighter-jet style forward facing pods or ‘bubbles’, with a sliding access hatch – just like those on a military jet. The helmsman will be protected by a windscreen when sailing at high speeds – many Ultim skippers wear goggles to enable them to look into the wind and any spray.

François Gabart and his crew will only go on deck for essential repairs, and manoeuvres such as some sail changes. Like Alex Thomson’s most recent Hugo Boss IMOCA 60, which also employed an inside cockpit, there will be exterior cameras to view on deck and around the trimaran.

The ‘fighter jet’ style helm stations on Francois Gabart’s new Ultim

Also like a fighter jet, the trimaran has adopted a radical new control system, developed in-house. Five times smaller than the usual 1.5m-diameter wheel, the new SVR-Lazartigue trimaran will be flown with a compact 30cm wheel tucked into the cockpit, along with other foili and sail controls.

MerConcept founder and SVR-Lazartigue skipper Francois Gabart Photo: Maxime Horlaville

François Gabart explained: “It’s a new way to sail. It will probably rely more on sounds and movements. We will be able to go very quickly, while being protected from an apparent wind which can reach 120 kmph. 

“This configuration should allow us to go even faster on the water. Under certain conditions, the speed gain is going to be enormous. What is certain is that we can go 10 to 15% faster. Over a day, that can represent 200 km…”

The internal cockpit will also give Gabart or crew additional protection in the event of a capsize.

Additional aerodynamic gains have come from careful fairing of everything from the communications antennae to the propeller. Like Thomas Coville’s Sodebo , which moved the cockpit forward of the mast, the integral cockpit allows the boom to sit very flush to the deck, creating a very aerodynamic end-plating effect for improved sail efficiency.

Over 150,000 hours, some 40 months of work and around 20 local companies were involved in the project, which built by Gabart’s MerConcept company in Concarneau, where it was unveiled yesterday as launched this Thursday in Concarneau.

Integral fairings on the forward beams and super slim hull forms for maximum aero and hydrodynamic efficiency Photo: Maxime Horlaville

Halfway through the build, Gabart’s sponsors of his winning Vendée Globe campaign and successful around the world solo record with his previous Ultime, Macif, announced that they would not continue to back him. However, he has since secured the backing of a French cosmetics firm, Kresk, and was able to complete the build.

Design was a joint project between VPLP and MerConcept’s in-house team, with GSEA Design and CDK Technologies working on the floats, front and rear arms, and foils. Multiplast built the central hull, C3 Technologies the centreboard and rudders. Sails are by North Sails for the sails with a Lorima mast.

Low profile from bow to stern with the two ‘fighter jet’ pods just visible abaft the foil Photo: Maxime Horlaville

François Gabart said on launch day: “This boat is exclusively designed for offshore flight. We are living an extraordinary revolution and we do not know how far it can take us. Everything is possible and we have no limits, the trimaran SVR-Lazartigue embodies this approach. ”

After sea trials, Gabart’s first race with SVR-Lazartigue will be the transatlantic Transat Jaques Vabre, which starts from Le Havre on November 7th. Next year will be Route du Rhum, building up the single-handed around the world race for Ultims in 2023.

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Neel 47 Trimaran: Best Full-Size Multihull

• By Herb McCormick
• Updated: December 9, 2019

It’s hard to imagine three vessels, in a single class, as different in layout, purpose and execution than the trio of multihulls that comprised the year’s Best Full-Size Multihull class. Two of the three were catamarans, and the third a most unusual craft: a cruising trimaran. Sorting out these unique boats was a challenge.

The multimillion-dollar Eagle Class 53—built in Rhode Island to exacting standards and a radical design brief (with potential foiling capability and a solid wing mast that also incorporates a “soft” mainsail on its trailing edge)—was not, in any manner, a contemporary cruising boat. Yes, there is a pair of cabins with doubles aft, and the central living space includes a workable galley and one other notable feature. “It’s the only boat we sailed that even had a full bar on deck with slide-out seats sitting on carbon fiber: custom-made carbon-fiber pods,” panelist Ed Sherman said. “I mean, it’s just an amazing piece of workmanship. I don’t know what else to say. It’s a cool boat.” And while it would be a reach to call the Eagle 53 a cruiser, it was certainly remarkable and couldn’t be ignored, which is why the judges were unanimous in separating it for special recognition.

What it thus came down to was which of the two remaining boats—the Bali 5.4 cat and the Neel 47 tri—best addressed or met its stated design briefs. The 55-plus-foot Bali certainly has offshore bona fides—the boats are delivered across the Atlantic from the boatyard in France where they’re crafted—but the yacht is most definitely laid out for steady work (and parties) in the charter trade. The final deliberations were lively.

The first thing that struck judge Dan Spurr was the unusual sailing experience, with the steering station situated on a flybridge well above the waterline. “It felt like a floating island and kind of sailed like one, I thought,” he said. “Being so high above the water, even though we were doing well in light air and making 5 or 6 knots, it was almost hard to tell whether we were moving.”

His fellow judge Ralph Naranjo concurred. “The main boom on the Bali is probably 15 or 16 feet high,” he said. “You’re giving away a lot of the foot of the sail, and you’re sticking the masthead up a lot farther in the sky to get the same kind of drive. At anchor in warm climates in areas where you sail flat and don’t have too much of a seaway, boats like this certainly fit the bill. And the Bali was an extreme version of that. The idea of doing an ocean passage up there aloft seems like a tiring situation.”

“Under sail, the motion of the Neel through the water was very comfortable.”

“I was actually pleasantly surprised that the boat sailed better than I thought it would, and by a significant margin,” Sherman said. “And let’s not forget the chartering equation that’s a big part of this boat’s aura. The way it’s equipped and laid out down below, it’s built for calm seas and a bunch of friends to have one hell of a good time.”

In some ways, that describes the reasoning behind what happened next. Viewing it as the better layout and configuration for serious cruising, the judges conferred the title of Best Full-Size Multihull on the Neel 47 . For the BOTY 2020 awards, three hulls proved better than two.

“The Neel 47 is a very ­interesting boat—the only ­trimaran in our collection, which has quite a bit of significance just from a design perspective because it enables them to get all of their heavy gear and machinery in that center hull,” Sherman said. “In terms of balance, it’s a great way to go. Under sail, the motion of the boat through the water was very comfortable. It’s a unique concept with the interior layout in that the ­owner’s stateroom is at deck level with these giant picture windows overlooking the horizon, and the guest cabins are aft and in the amas. So even though we have a 47-footer here, it’s really a couple’s boat, though there is room for occasional guests.”

“The trend of late in cruising multihulls has certainly been toward cats, so I appreciated their efforts to make a cruising trimaran,” Spurr said. “There’s a real trade-off—the fundamental one being I believe you’re going to get better performance with a trimaran, but you’re going to sacrifice accommodations. So I feel that for most of the buying public, they’re going to have to be leaning toward the performance end of the spectrum. The main owner’s cabin on the saloon level is kind of fun and interesting, but it’s adjacent to the galley and entertaining areas. So, I agree with Ed that this is a boat aimed at an experienced couple.”

Those couples who go with a Neel will be going with a winner.

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Ultim Challenge : Around the world solo in 40 days with monster trimarans

Andreas Fritsch

 ·  05.01.2024

40 million euros for a boat

Records should tumble with the new ultims, rapid technical development of ultims, cockpits like on the huston mission.

"Later I will be proud to say that I was part of this development when flying boats started to sail across the Atlantic in five to six days and around the world in under 40!" This is how Thomas Coville, "Sodebo" skipper and one of the race participants, summed it up when he described what the Ultim Challenge means to him. And it will indeed be a race of superlatives, a turning point:

Never before in the history of sailing have such large boats competed in a single-handed non-stop race around the world.

So far, only four sailors have managed to circumnavigate the globe in such a large multihull monster, and only in record attempts: Francis Joyon, Ellen MacArthur, Thomas Coville and François Gabart. The Vendée Globe, on the other hand, is almost a popular sporting event.

And from 2017, the year in which Gabart broke his existing record of 42 days, 14 hours and 40 minutes, a new era began: that of the fully foiling monster tris. Then "Edmond de Rothschild" was completed, a design by Guillaume Verdier and the Gitana team. It was the first to fly stably horizontally over the sea at an altitude of several metres. This was followed over the next four years by further new constructions by the Banque Populaire, Sodebo and SVR Lazartigue teams.

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As it is not only a Herculean task to build such a boat, but also to finance it, the number of teams remained manageable. François Gabart's SVR Lazartigue team recently estimated the budget for the construction and four-year operation of such an Ultim at over 40 million euros.

In the newly founded Ultim class, which comprises boats up to 32 metres long and 23 metres wide, this was the starting signal for the new generation of boats that had previously only ever been lonely record chasers. Now, after the Atlantic races, there will be a race around the world. The start and finish is off Brest, more precisely the island of Ouessant, because if one of the skippers manages to beat Gabart's 2017 record during the race, the result will be ratified as a record. In contrast to the Vendée, however, there are some rules that are different.

The skippers are allowed to be routed ashore by the team, as they considered the risk of getting caught in storms with the huge boats too dangerous, and technical repair stops are permitted, but must last at least 24 hours.

However, nobody seriously believes that there is still a chance of victory after that. In this time, the competition would easily gain 600 to 700 miles in good conditions. Charles Caudrelier sailed 880 nautical miles in 24 hours on the return passage of his Tris "Edmond de Rothschild" from the Caribbean after the 2021 Transat. It is likely that the existing record of 908.2 nautical miles set by "Banque Populaire" (2009) will fall in the race. This is because the record holder was not a foiler. The enormous technical development of the boats is demonstrated by the figures that the design office VPLP compared for the race. The engineers compared the polar data of Francis Joyon's "Idec Sport", the record holder for the fastest crewed circumnavigation of the world (40 days, 23 hours), with that of "Edmond de Rothschild". The result: in foil mode, the new ship is 35 per cent faster.

And the technical arms race between the teams continued right up to the start of the race. Three boats already have their second set of foils, while the Gitana team's have even been reworked four times in between. François Gabart, skipper of "SVR Lazartigue", vividly explained just how big the technical challenge is: "There are six foils on the boats whose angle of attack can be adjusted. It takes years to find the best combinations for all conditions!"

At the same time, an aspect that was unusual for offshore sailing began to attract a lot of attention: aerodynamics. A boat that sails at top speeds of around 45 and average speeds of around 35 knots often has gale force on deck due to the sum of real and apparent wind. And so the backs of the beams are clad aerodynamically with foils, furlers and rudders are concealed under covers, and main booms are connected to the deck with flexible panelling.

The tris now often sail at three times the wind speed. From 15 to 16 knots of true wind, the 15-tonne, 105-foot-long colossi lift themselves out of the water.

An Ultim is like a fighter jet for the crew

But what is life like on board? During the last Route du Rhum, YACHT had the opportunity to visit two of the flying projectiles, Thomas Coville's "Sodebo Ultim" and "SVR Lazartigue", skippered at the time by François Gabart. The tour initially leaves visitors in awe. Brute size meets elegant beauty, and the "SVR Lazartigue" in particular appears almost fragile. Boarding the monster, you feel like a dwarf in the land of giants. Foils that rise four metres above deck level. Hydraulic cylinders as thick as your thigh. Masts that two people can't grasp. Winches that look more like oil drums. Trampolines the size of tennis courts.

"SVR Lazartigue" also looks like a fighter jet: instead of a classic cockpit, there are two glass domes. And there are actually car steering wheels, reminiscent of a Formula 1 racer. The boat is a flush decker, so the boom can end just above the hull. The trim and navigation centre are located underneath, hidden deep in the belly of the centre hull. This is better aerodynamically.

It gets really futuristic when you stand in the closed cockpit. Batteries of screens with columns of numbers for dozens of pieces of data: Angle of attack of foils, loads on stays, inclination of the masts that can be tilted to windward. Autopilot, wind displays, plotter, speed are all on top. In between, a plethora of hydraulic rotary switches: Foil rake, outhaul tensioner, forestay pressure - there are up to 20 hydraulic cylinders in use on the boats. All of them are operated using muscle power via a grinder. This makes it impressively clear what a mammoth task the skipper has to master. His futuristic bucket seat stands alone in the centre of it all.

The race will now show which of them is best able to tame their monster. They will also need a bit of luck. Given the high speeds of the boats, collisions with even small pieces of flotsam became the main problem. Four record attempts had to be cancelled as a result. None of them got further than the Kerguelen Islands. Thomas Coville foresaw this when he added to his assessment of the historic event of the race around the world: "Of course, the beginning of this era can be a bit chaotic." It will be interesting to see how much.

More about the Ultim Callenge:

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• "Changing sails is a nightmare, you're completely exhausted afterwards!"

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AROUND THE WORLD: A NEW ATTEMPT BY THE MAXI TRIMARAN SAILS OF CHANGE

Yann Guichard, Dona Bertarelli and nine other sailors will make up the crew of ‘Sails of Change’ for their next attempt on the Jules Verne Trophy, an award for the fastest non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the world. Several years of hard work will culminate in this ultimate sporting challenge. The crew also aims to raise awareness of the need to preserve ocean and land ecosystems. From October 24th, the team will be on standby, ready to set sail on a new adventure.

From Monday, October 24th, the crew of Sails of Change will be on standby, studying the weather conditions and gearing themselves for an immense challenge. The objective is to win the Jules Verne Trophy by beating the round-the-world record held  since 2017: 40 days, 23 hours, and 30 minutes. “ It’s the ultimate sporting goal, an extraordinary time to beat, that has been halved in the space of 30 years “, said skipper Yann Guichard.

A TEAM ON THE RISE

The Spindrift team has been hard at work throughout 2022. The team participated in all six events of the TF35 Trophy, an annual championship which combines sea and lake races across Europe. Spindrift ended the season in 3rd place overall.

The maxi trimaran has also sailed on multiple occasions. “ There are still a few adjustments to be made, but the boat is ready,” said Yann Guichard . “ I can feel the team is eager to go .”

Once standby begins, the maxi trimaran, based at La Trinité-sur-Mer, will be ready to set off for Brest at the first favourable weather window.

A TEAM OF LIKE-MINDED ENTHUSIASTS

Joining Yann Guichard and Dona Bertarelli, the onboard reporter, will be nine crew members. “Some have been part of the project for years and others have joined us this year,” said the skipper. “ We have an experienced team who enjoy competing and who are ocean enthusiasts. We share the same appreciation of effort and solidarity” .

THE CREW PRESENTED BY YANN GUICHARD:

Dona Bertarelli (54 years old) : “ I’m delighted to share this new adventure with Dona, who participated in our first round-the-world trip in 2015-2016. Her presence will bring added purpose to a great sporting challenge .”

Thierry Chabagny (50) : “A n experienced sailor who has already sailed twice around the world. His experience will be invaluable. “

Grégory Gendron (39) : “ Joined our team in 2019. Greg is always smiling, friendly, and ready to help. He is very comfortable sailing at sea, I have total confidence in him .”

Clément Giraud (41) : “ He just finished the Vendée Globe and is one of our Southerners. He is full of the joys of life .”

Jacques Guichard (42 ):   “ Watch-leader, I’ve been able to count on his multiple talents since the birth of the Spindrift project. Sharing this adventure with my brother is such a blessing and will bring us even closer together . “

Pierre Leboucher (41) : “ A newcomer to the crew but with solid experience, having sailed in the Olympics and Le Figaro. Pierre is a true sailor who likes to push himself to the limits .”

Christopher Pratt (41) : “ He also joined us this year. He is a Cartesian spirit: structured and focused on performance. If he does something, he does it 100% .”

Xavier Revil (51) : “ A great sailor and former holder of the Jules Verne Trophy. I’ve known Xavier since my Optimist years; he’s been with us since the start of the Spindrift adventure. As a watch captain, I know I can rely on his know-how at all times .”

Benjamin Schwartz (36) : “ He has sailed in Le Figaro and has sailed round the world in the Volvo Ocean Race. Responsible for the navigation unit, I can count on his detailed analysis of weather strategy .”

Julien Villion (30 years old) : “ With solid experience from Le Figaro, he is always seeking the right settings and constantly questioning himself, raising our overall performance . “

Jean-Yves Bernot (router) : “A  recognised specialist, he has been by our side since our first round-the-world attempt in 2015. As both a former navigator and a land router, he knows the course like no one else. He’ll be our guardian angel during this new attempt .”

SAILS OF CHANGE, AN EXTRAODINARY TRIMARAN

A multihull built to perform. 37 metres long, 23 metres wide and weighing 21 tons, Sails of Change is the largest ocean racing trimaran ever built, and has a track record to match. Launched in 2008, the boat held the Jules Verne Trophy from 2012 to 2017 (45 days, 13 hours). Sails of Change was acquired by the Spindrift team in 2013, winning the Route de la Découverte (between Cadiz and San Salvador), and performing well in the Rolex Fastnet Race (twice), and in the 2016 Transat Québec – Saint-Malo.

In 2014, sailing this giant boat solo, Yann Guichard achieved second place in the Route du Rhum, a remarkable sporting and human feat.

SEEKING THE RECORD WITHOUT USING FOSSIL FUEL

“ Sails of Change is more than a human and sporting adventure,” said Yann Guichard. “We wanted our philanthropic activity and our deep, personal goals of protecting the planet to inform the Spindrift programme. Dona was already raising awareness of this theme during our first attempt in 2015 .”

“ For 20 years, I’ve been working to create large marine protected areas, and to safeguard biodiversity,” added Dona Bertarelli. “The connection between ocean preservation, the climate, and human health is no longer in doubt .”

“Since 2021, Spindrift teams have been preparing a round-the-world attempt without using fossil fuels, a ‘challenge within the challenge’ according to Yann. There will be no combustion engine  onboard, which traditionally powers a boats’ electronics, communications, desalination, and water heating. “To compensate, we have solar panels, two wind turbines and a methanol fuel cell, ” said Yann.

A 360° COMMITMENT, A “NEW IMPETUS”

The Spindrift team’s commitment to protecting the environment does not stop with the boat. The crew, as well as the boat, promote the ’30×30′ message, relaying the call from scientists to protect at least 30% of ocean and land by 2030, in order to prevent biodiversity loss and to build resilience to climate change. “ The degradation of our oceans, land and freshwater systems is destroying the planet’s ability to support life ,” said Dona Bertarelli. “ The fight to protect nature, which we’ve been engaged in for a long time, gives extra impetus to the team and to our round-the-world challenge .”

Dona and Yann are Patrons of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the largest and most diverse environmental network in the world, and a global authority on the state of the natural world and the measures needed to save it.

A new partnership between IUCN and Sails of Change called “Sports for Nature” was launched at the Sport Positive Summit at Wembley on 5 October, to help sports organisations mitigate the negative impacts on the climate, and to take concrete steps to protect biodiversity. “ As a sportsperson, the link between sports and nature is very clear. Athletes need clean water and fresh air to perform. As such, they have a natural interest in protecting the environment ,” said Yann Guichard.

SPINDRIFT FOR SCHOOLS: INSPIRING AND EDUCATING THE YOUNGER GENERATION

The ‘Spindrift for Schools’ fund was created in 2014 to raise awareness of environmental issues among young people.  Through this fund, educational resources, approved by the French Ministry of Education and supported by UNESCO, are made available to teachers. Additional subjects will be offered to schools as part of the curriculum throughout the world tour in order to bring onboard the youngest in this global ocean adventure.

For students as well as for sportsmen and women or even the curious, this will help them to grasp the intensity of this round the world trip from a perspective that shares the ‘Sails of Change’ values. Dona Bertarelli insists on “ learning from nature in order to act”, “uniting to inspire change ” and “ keeping a sense of wonder because it is easier to protect what you know, what you understand and what you love “.

For Yann Guichard, he makes the link with life onboard and evokes “t he need to surpass oneself, to show resilience and support each other at all times “. There are so many arguments and motivations before setting off on one of the most exciting challenges in ocean racing.

ABOUT SAILS OF CHANGE:

Sails of Change is a foundation dedicated to the regeneration of biodiversity through sport and art. Founded in 2020 by Dona Bertarelli, her husband Yann Guichard and her children, Sails of Change is grounded on the family’s belief that sport and art have great power to raise environmental awareness and promote change. Dona Bertarelli is a sportswoman, investor and philanthropist who has dedicated nearly two decades to protecting ecosystems by creating large-scale marine protected areas. Yann Guichard is the skipper of the Spindrift professional multihull sailing team. An Olympic sailor, he has won races and set records throughout his sailing career. Sails of Change is based on three pillars (INSPIRE. UNITE. CHANGE) and its activities work towards a common goal: protecting 30% of the ocean and land by 2030.

www.sailsofchange.org

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Boat of the Week: Meet the Record-Breaking 109-Foot Trimaran That Circled the Globe in 74 Days

After setting a world record, the vessel had a career hunting illegal whaling ships and other ocean poachers. now she's on the market., howard walker, howard walker's most recent stories.

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She’s fast. So fast that back in 1998 she scorched around the globe in less than 80 days, setting a new Guinness World Record with a time of 74 days, 20 hours and 58 minutes.

She’s got the range, too. Over 4,000 miles on a single tank. New York to London with fuel to spare. A range that, over the years, has helped her circumnavigate the world no fewer than six times.

And she’s helped change the world. As part of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) fleet since 2010, this rugged 109-foot trimaran has locked horns with Japanese whaling ships in the Antarctic, Chinese squid boats off the Galapagos, and tackled Bluefin poachers in the Mediterranean.

The 109-footer was designed to set a circumnavigation record, which she did in 1998, circling the world in less than 75 days.  Nigel Irens

Now, the legendary Brigitte Bardot , with a for-sale sign in her wheelhouse window, is ready and raring for her next adventure. “Vessels don’t come more unique than this,” Joaquin Genrich, the listing broker with Fraser Yachts , told Robb Report . “It could take a family completely off the grid. Throw off the lines and you could get from Puerto Vallarta, where she is right now, to Tahiti on one tank.”

Designed by British multihull guru Nigel Irens and originally named Cable & Wireless Adventurer , this needle-nosed rocket ship was built in 1997 by British yard Vosper Thornycroft for the sole purpose of circling the world in less than 80 days. Mission accomplished, she was renamed Ocean 7 Adventurer , relocated to Cape Town, South Africa, and started a new career as a charter vessel.

In December 2007, she hit the headlines when she charged into the Southern Ocean to perform a daring rescue of the demasted racing yacht  Delta Dore. After locating the yacht, she towed it 960 miles back to Cape Town. Three years later, she was bought by Sea Shepherd, renamed Gojira —that’s Japanese for Godzilla—and sent off to track down illegal Japanese whaling factory ships in the Antarctic. In locating the Nisshin Maru whaler in the icy Ross Sea, Gojira set a record for traveling farther south than any other multihull in history.

Sea Shepherd bought her in 2010 and used her to hunt illegal poaching vessels, including Japanese whale-factory ships and Chinese squid boats in the Galapagos.  Nigel Irens

When the Japanese owners of the Godzilla movie franchise threatened legal action for unauthorized use of the trademark, SSCS changed the vessel’s name to Brigitte Bardot, in honor of the French model and actor and her long-standing support of Sea Shepherd.

Since then, the trimaran has traveled to all four corners of the world; Australia, New Zealand, the Faroe Islands, the Mediterranean, Caribbean and even Key West, where she helped protect turtles from poachers. With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the boat was relocated from the Galápagos Islands, where she was on patrol, to Marina Riviera Nayarit, in La Cruz outside Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A few weeks ago, the decision was taken to sell.

“These days Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is working more with governments and requiring larger vessels that can accommodate military personnel. Sadly, she’s become too small for our needs,” says Octavia Carranza, who captained Brigitte Bardot on missions to Peru in 2018.

The vessel was named Gojira—Japanese for “Godzilla”—but when the movie’s producers threatened legal action, she became ‘Brigitte Bardot,’ who is a big supporter of Sea Shepherd.  Fraser Yachts

“We’ll definitely be sorry to see her go. She’s a remarkable vessel. Extremely fast, cruising easily at 22 to 25 knots. What I always found amazing was sitting on the bridge and watching her slice through the water like a knife,” Captain Carranza told Robb Report .

Prospective buyers should remember that this is not some pristine luxury motoryacht. Far from it. Since her first day on the water, she’s been driven hard and put away wet. Her interior is no-frills-basic at best. Two years ago, she was expensively re-powered with two new 500-horsepower Cummins QSC 8.3-liter turbo diesels, replacing the previous 350-horse versions. Top speed is now close to 30 knots.

Genrich says the boat’s comparatively low $1.499 million asking price leaves plenty of room for a comprehensive refit. He is also quick to point out that Sea Shepherd is a “highly motivated” seller.

Repowered recently, the yacht has a new top speed of 30 knots. She has circled the globe six times in her 32-year history.  Fraser Yachts

Who’s going to buy her? Genrich reckons it might be someone looking to head out on another world-circling adventure. Or someone eager to own a piece of history. Or someone who just wants to own a really cool boat.

“One thing’s certain, Brigitte Bardot will take you anywhere you want,” he says.

To find out more about the work of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, go to http://www.seashepherd.org .  

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11 Around-The-World Cruises For An Epic Getaway

"Sailing around the world" sounds so romantic, doesn't it? You're sailing to remote islands with like-minded people while chasing sunsets on a distant horizon. Sure, you can just board a plane to, say, New Zealand, but there's something so pure and patient about maritime journeys. Cruises are like floating resorts, which ease their way over the waves. It's the definition of "slow travel." 

Amazingly, in the modern world of jet-setting travel, round-the-world cruises do exist. Voyagers visit dozens of ports over the course of their odyssey, each with its own landscape, climate, and personality. There are lots of ways travelers can experience "the trip of a lifetime," but this kind of circumnavigation outmatches just about all of them -- and in style. However, there are a few things to consider before investigating such cruises. First, what does it actually mean to sail "around the world?"

Many companies use this phrase — and sail thousands of nautical miles — but only around a single ocean or hemisphere. Even when ships do sail a distance equivalent to the equator (or more), they rarely return to their precise port of origin. Also, these epic  cruise vacations can be pricey ; the kind of dream that merits cashing in a 401K, and the time commitment is also substantial, meaning months on the water. But for diehard cruisers, crisscrossing the planet could easily be worth the time and money, and if this sounds like you, these 11 cruise lines are scheduled to sail around the world.

Read more: The Prettiest Waters Around The World

Viking: World Cruise

For 138 days, passengers frog-hop through the Caribbean, pass through the Panama Canal, make their way to the islands of Polynesia, and skirt Australia, Asia, and Europe before finally dropping their anchor in London. On Viking's World Cruise, you can step ashore in 28 different nations and pick from 57 guided tours. Viking has been a prolific, respected cruise line since its founding in 1997, and this three-quarter circumnavigation sets sail in December 2024, so there's still time to book.

Ships are equipped with spas, luxury dining options, and cabin beds that can be separated or combined, among many other touches. Long before stepping aboard, the Viking website has a virtual 360-degree tour, acquainting future travelers with the ship's staterooms. Viking has thoughtfully put together a reading list to help travelers get a deeper understanding of the countries they will visit, which is especially helpful in little-understood destinations like Moorea and Indonesia. The ship also has a sizable library onboard for further research. This, plus its sophisticated tours and dining options that reflect the culture of each port, may explain Viking's moniker, "the thinking person's cruise." Quality does come at a price, with full passage starting at $59,995.

Ambassador: Grand Round The World Cruise

The Ambiance sets off from London, crosses the Atlantic, passes through Panama, and hits Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America before pinging back to the United Kingdom. Not only do you cross all the major oceans, but you actually cross the Atlantic three times. Most of these destinations are warm-weather ports, including Sydney at the height of summer. Sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats are recommended on this largely equatorial route.

Ambassador is new to the cruise scene, having been established in the United Kingdom in 2021, and Ambiance is its flagship vessel. Passengers will spend their 120-night voyage in extreme comfort, traveling to 24 countries and 34 ports of call, with top-notch dining, live entertainment, and about 35,000 nautical miles in between. If you can live without a porthole, opting for an  inside cabin on the cruise , then passage starts at the budget-friendly price of $8,500 per person, making this Ambassador cruise one of the most economical on this list. You can also add on drink packages and arrange tours in advance or onboard through an agent or the Ambassador app. You can also explore the ship before you travel, thanks to a 360-degree virtual tour. The 2024 voyage sets sail on June 6.

Regent: World Cruise

The 2026 Regent World Cruise starts in Miami and ends in Miami, which makes it convenient to coordinate, especially if you're already based in the United States. Regent Seven Seas Cruises was founded in 1992 and is a respected brand in the industry.

The ship, the Seven Seas Mariner, also lives up to its name with a formidable 154-night itinerary: the Panama Canal, points along Central America, a dozen Pacific islands, Australia, South Asia, East Africa, and two Atlantic islands before returning to Florida. The Mariner arrives in many well-trod ports like Cape Town and Acapulco, but the route also includes locations that most travelers would have trouble pinpointing on a map: Lautoka, Abidjan, and Male are all names cruisers will become familiar with. To really explore these places, Regent organizes a whopping 431 free shore excursions across six continents, 77 ports, and 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sailing nearly 40,000 nautical miles with world-class spas, dining, and entertainment aboard doesn't come cheap. While you'll need to contact Regent to request specific prices, passengers can expect to pay nearly $100,000 for passage. Regent's World Cruise is considered a luxury-level experience with first-class airfare, gratuities, and 24-hour room service included. If this is your tax bracket, just wait until you see the suites.

Royal Caribbean: Ultimate World Cruise

Royal Caribbean has been taking tourists to far-flung destinations since the late 1960s, and it's now one of the most recognizable cruise companies in the world, so naturally Royal Caribbean would host a round-the-world voyage. But even for seasoned travelers, the Ultimate World Cruise is pretty, well, ultimate. Royal Caribbean's world cruise lasts 274 nights and arrives in no fewer than 60 countries. In other words, you'll spend nine months at sea and personally visit more than a quarter of the sovereign nations on Earth. The saga starts and ends in Miami, where the Royal Caribbean is headquartered, which should make arrangements easy.

The biggest bragging right of all: This cruise touches on every single continent, including Elephant Island and Paradise Bay in Antarctica. You'll find yourself in both Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia, plus ports you've never even heard of. That said, unless your soul is fueled by pure wanderlust, this itinerary may sound like a lot of cruising, which may explain why Royal Caribbean has divided the journey into four segments. Cruisers don't have to commit to the entire itinerary; they can easily pick from the quarter that most interests them. 

By the time you read this, a segment may be the only option left, as the next Ultimate World Cruise departs in December of 2023. The segments are significantly more affordable as well. An interior stateroom for the full cruise costs at least $60,000 per person, while a segment starts at $12,500.

Cunard: Full World Voyage

When the Queen Mary 2 departs from New York City on January 3, 2024, it won't return to this same harbor for 123 nights. The itinerary isn't exactly "around the world," but rather a crossing of the Eastern Hemisphere — twice. Passengers traverse the Atlantic to the United Kingdom, then ease their way down the eastern coast of Africa before beelining for Australia. The ship boomerangs back, with many stops in Asia, a shortcut through the Suez Canal, and a tour of the Mediterranean before heading back to the U.S.

The voyage comes at the heels of Cunard's 100th anniversary, making it the second-oldest company on the list. The Queen Mary 2 has been Cunard's flagship vessel since 2004, and the company has mastered hospitality over the past century, with exceptional dining, luxury suites, and Broadway-quality performances by the Royal Court Theatre. Cunard also takes pride in its children's facilities, encouraging families to travel together, as well as the great English tradition of afternoon tea. Most of the budget cabins on the Queen Mary 2 were already booked at the time of this writing, but cabins with balconies are still available, starting at the not-ludicrous price of $16,899 per person. 

Oceania: Around The World In 180 Days

When Junes Verne wrote his novel "Around the World in Eighty Days," his Victorian goal was to travel as quickly as possible. Oceania is now advertising the opposite: This journey takes passengers the long way from Los Angeles to New York City, across the Pacific, around Australia, along the coasts of East Asia, and then up through the Middle East, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and even Greenland. The itinerary doesn't spend much time in the "global south," so you'll have to visit Africa and South America another time.

The Miami-based Oceania was founded in 2002 and specializes in long-haul cruises, so they know their system well. This cruise may be especially appealing to foodies. The company takes particular pride in its onboard meals as well as in-country Culinary Discovery Tours. Passengers can also take advantage of The Aquamar Spa & Vitality Center, which can orchestrate a special dietary regimen.

Oceania exudes "small-ship luxury" and caps its total number of passengers at 1,250. Everything about the ship is more intimate than found on its larger cousins, from the live entertainment to the duty-free boutiques. If you like a small-town feel, 180 days should be just enough time to meet all your shipmates. If you can't summon the time or (at least) $47,599 by January 2024, the next ship departs in January 2025.

Princess: 111-Day World Cruise

This Princess cruise is another true circumnavigation, starting in Los Angeles and bearing west until the ship arrives back at its original dock. The 111-day cruise starts on January 18, 2024, and includes all three major oceans, both the Suez and Panama Canals, plus 47 ports along the way. The itinerary is light on Asian and African ports and skips South America altogether, but you can still enjoy visits to Australia, the Middle East, and numerous destinations around Europe.

Princess is a hallowed name in the cruise industry. Not only have its ships been sailing the world since the 1960s, but Princess is still one of the most profitable cruise companies in the world. Passengers can expect onboard enrichment programs, award-winning live performances, and rejuvenating treatments at the Lotus Spa. Each port will also bring its own offerings of special excursions, from river rafting to art tours. 

With its dependable quality of service and nearly four-month itinerary, it's remarkable that base bookings start at only $15,498. Better yet, if you want to circle the globe with the whole family, this Princess itinerary is a family-friendly cruise and offers youth programming, which is not always the case. If you miss this one, no worries. Three more, of varying lengths, are slated for January 2025.

Holland America Line: Grand World Voyage

Fort Lauderdale is the beginning and end point for the Zuiderdam, which spends 128 days making a complete circle around the globe. Holland America's Grand World Voyage is true to its name. Passengers travel across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, making port on five continents. Most of its destinations are clustered around Asia and the Mediterranean, and it skips over Australia. But the Voyage is a rare opportunity to sail up the Amazon River, with visits to inland Brazilian cities most travelers would never think to visit.

Holland America began as a shipping and passenger line in the mid-19th Century, and its history of cruising is nearly as old as the concept. The flagship Zuiderdam is a luxury vessel with a swimming pool and sizable theater. It also boasts several diverse dining areas, including the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, the Italian-themed Canaletto, and the à la carte Lido Market. There's Billboard Onboard, a special room for trivia nights and karaoke, as well as World Stage, a presentation space with a wraparound LED screen. Bookings start at the more expensive rate of $22,499 for an inside cabin, and the 2024 voyage will set sail on January 3, 2024, but you can expect additional Grand World Voyages to be slated in the coming years.

Azamara: World Voyage

Formerly part of the Royal Caribbean fleet, Azamara is now an independent company taking its own journeys. The 2025 World Voyage begins in San Diego and sails westward, across the Pacific, to Australia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, before passengers disembark in Barcelona. The World Voyage doesn't quite girdle the globe, stopping just short of the Atlantic Ocean, and the only stop in Africa is Giza. But this 155-night expedition should satisfy almost any traveler, especially with its 40 countries and 22 overnights.

Unlike many world cruises, Azamara has divided its full itinerary into segments with clear geographic themes, such as "South Pacific Jewels" and "Mediterranean Icons." These titles can help turn experiences into coherent narratives. For example, "Ancient Pathways" draws a historic and economic line between Mumbai and Athens, along with all ports in between. These themes are coupled with thoughtful excursions, which are often scheduled around local holidays and festivals. The World Voyage for 2024 appears to be sold out, but the 2025 edition sets sail on January 5. Passage starts at a princely $39,999.

Freighter Cruises

Some of us want to keep it simple. No need for late-night show-stoppers, cocktail parties with hundreds of strangers, or daring bets at the roulette wheel. "Freighter cruises" have gone by many names over the years, such as "banana boats" and "cargo cruises," but passengers have hitched rides on commercial ships since the dawn of seafaring. These accommodations come in many forms, and you do have to share your vessel with stacks of massive shipping containers; still, you can expect a comfortable cabin and regular meals, along with friendly and respectful crewmembers from around the world. For travelers with a Jack London streak, the freighter cruise feels raw and adventurous.

The Freighter Travel Club was founded in 1958, and companies like Maris Freighter Cruises and Voyage en Cargo have booked passengers on commercial vessels for years. Maris has arranged round-the-world itineraries in the past, and multi-week journeys are common, as enormous loads are floated from one nation to the next. The pandemic took its toll on this niche industry, and most of these journeys do not precisely travel around the world. But when they're in operation, freighter cruises usually cost a little over $100 per day, and savvy travelers have flexibility in their bookings.

Miray Cruises: Life At Sea

Sure, cruising is fun, but what if you want to turn your ship into a semi-permanent address? Life at Sea Cruises promises three years of luxury seafaring, with stops in 140 countries across all seven continents. By the time you're done with these 382 ports, you'll have more photos to sort through and stories to share than most people will amass in a lifetime.

That sounds life-changing, but we'll have to see whether it's too good to be true. Life at Sea is a brand-new enterprise from Miray Cruises, and the maiden voyage has been fraught with delays. However, at the time of this writing, Life at Sea should get underway by the end of 2023, and most full-voyage passengers should already be sailing by 2024. If all goes well, there are four scheduled embarkation options for travelers who want to hop aboard later on, and more will likely be scheduled.

One of the problems has been the ship itself. For a while, the purchase of the ship was in limbo, pushing back the original sail date. However, the MV Lara now seems ready to sail. The medium-sized vessel has space for 1,266 passengers, with a range of cozy cabins, a wellness center, and a pool deck, among many other amenities. Travelers committed to living at sea for three years should get a lot out of their floating home. Life at Sea is a dreamy concept, so let's hope for calm waters once it finally sets sail. 

Read the original article on Explore .