The Trophée Jules Verne is one of the most demanding challenges in the sport: a full eastward circumnavigation from the island of Ouessant in Brittany, with almost no course restrictions beyond avoiding Antarctic ice. Any vessel, any crew... as long as it’s sailed.

We’ve been proud to support Thomas for many years, and this record is the result of decades of experience. Thomas has completed ten circumnavigations, five of them solo. And this was his eighth attempt at the Trophée Jules Verne as skipper. This time, everything aligned.

Sodebo Ultim 3 left on 15 December and returned 40 days, 10 hours, 45 minutes, and 50 seconds later, beating the previous record by 12 hours and 44 minutes. Along the way, the crew set new intermediate reference times at the equator and at three legendary capes: Good Hope, Leeuwin, and Horn. They even celebrated Christmas and New Year’s at sea.

Everything about this challenge is extreme. The theoretical minimum distance is 21,600 nautical miles, but in reality the team sailed far more: 28,315 nm at an average speed of 29.17 knots.

Sodebo Ultim 3 itself is a feat of engineering: a 32‑meter trimaran with a 34‑meter mast and nearly 700 m² of sail area. Its foils lift the hulls clear of the water, allowing the boat to reach speeds up to three times the wind speed and peak around 50 knots.

This is the environment our gear is built for.

Throughout the record attempt, the crew relied on our most advanced offshore sailing gear. The conditions they faced ranged from the freezing Southern Ocean to the humid heat of the tropics, all while managing an unconventional sleep cycle and pushing the boat to its limits.

Their insights have been invaluable in shaping our Ægir offshore collection, including the Ægir Ocean Jacket 2.0 and Ægir Ocean Bib 2.0 worn throughout the voyage. Both pieces use our HELLY TECH® Professional construction, our most protective waterproof fabric, reinforced with premium recycled nylon yarns sourced from reclaimed fishing nets.

The jacket’s modular collar system, packable hi‑vis hood, UV‑protective visor, and fully waterproof YKK AQUASEAL® zipper were all designed for moments exactly like this. The bib’s redesigned suspenders, ergonomic knee pads, and waterproof zipper system ensure comfort and protection through long, demanding shifts on deck.

This record is a powerful reminder of why we innovate, because professionals like Thomas and his crew need gear that performs when everything is on the line.

As our VP for Outdoor, Winter Sport and Sailing, Øyvind Vedvik, shared after the finish:

“Congratulations to Thomas Coville and the entire Sodebo team on an exceptional achievement. This record highlights both the scale of the challenge and the level of performance required to achieve it. We are incredibly proud of our longstanding collaboration with Thomas, and honored to support teams operating at the highest level of offshore sailing.”

For nearly 150 years, we’ve been shaped by extreme environments. This record is another chapter in that story, and a reminder of why we continue to push forward.

New Around‑the‑World Record:
40d 10h 45' 50"

Finish:
25 January, 07:46:55

Margin Over Previous Record:
–12h 44' 40"

Distance Sailed:
28,315 nm

Average Speed:
29.17 knots

New Records:
• Ouessant → Equator: 4d 04h 02' 25"
• Pacific Crossing: 7d 12h 12' 00"

New Reference Times:
• Ouessant → Cape of Good Hope: 10d 23h 55' 25"
• Ouessant → Cape Leeuwin: 17d 01h 17' 38"
• Ouessant → Cape Horn: 26d 04h 46' 00"