SODEBO ULTIM 3 ENDS HIS JULES VERNE TROPHY ATTEMPT AFTER RUDDER DAMAGE
After just over 16 days at sea, the crew of the Sodebo Ultim 3 decided this Friday, December 11, to stop their attempt for the Jules Verne Trophy.
While sailing between Kerguelen and Cape Leeuwin, at more than 30 knots, Thomas Coville and his seven crew members noticed damage to the starboard rudder. After several hours of hard work, discussions with the technical team on the ground, they had to face the facts.
The repair no longer allows the ship to sail at 100% of her capacity in an attempt to break the Jules Verne Trophy record, they decided to discontinue their attempt, which began on November 25 at 2:55 a.m.
Thomas Coville, François Duguet, Sam Goodchild, Corentin Horeau, Martin Keruzoré, François Morvan, Thomas Rouxel and Matthieu Vandame will have shown that Sodebo Ultim 3 has the potential to break the Idec Sport record (40 days 23 hours and 30 minutes).
Therefore, he is legitimately very disappointed that they will give up on this round the world tour, but with the conviction that the record is within their reach.
For the rest of the operations and logistical matters, they head to Reunion, 2300 miles from where they currently are, to make the ship more reliable and leave safely for Lorient.
Patricia Brochard, Co-Chair of Sodebo:
“Entering the Jules Verne Trophy requires a very high level of human and technical preparation. Thomas, François, Sam, Corentin, Martin, François, Thomas and Matthieu accepted this challenge and showed total mental and physical commitment. On the ground, the routing unit and the entire Lorient team were also admirable during this attempt. I want to thank you for all the work done. We have managed to make our audience dream through this extraordinary adventure. This abandonment is, of course, a disappointment for everyone. But he will also be a trainer and a learner to face our next challenges. “
