Guirec Soudée’s Single-Handed Non-Stop East-to-West Circumnavigation

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Just in case, I’d organized to arrive in Brittany almost 24 hours ahead of the ETA announced two days earlier - I’d underestimated the work of route planner Christian Dumard… Still, as night fell over the Breton city, I imagined the pressure Guirec must have been feeling as he approached the shipping lanes and the coast, his home. Hanging on a little longer despite 35-knot gusts and a 10 to 15-foot (3 to 4-meter) swell, not breaking anything, not making any mistakes, and finally crossing the line between Lizard Point and the island of Ushant nearly 95 days after passing it in the other direction… it can’t have been easy.

That stealthy departure for the ultimate challenge - the Holy Grail of going the wrong way around the world - took place on December 23rd last year. It was nothing like his summer transatlantic warm-up with the famous YouTuber Inoxtag (see MW204), which felt like a vacation in comparison.

In coming alongside at Quai du Commandant Malbert, Guirec Soudée had pulled off a masterstroke: at the age of 34, and on his very first attempt, he has managed to claim the very last sailing record that was still held by a monohull.

Making 20 knots at the Entrance to Brest

While the shore crews were busy setting up the podium tent, safety barriers, and sound system, we boarded the powerful RIBs reserved for the press. The steady northerly wind at 20–25 knots felt freezing cold, but at least the weather was nice!

Offshore, the seas were big: as soon as he’d crossed the line, Guirec was forced to head back out to sea to round Ushant from the west to get himself under the lee of the island. The crew members joining him were now able to get aboard safely.

Despite the reduced sail area (two reefs in the main and the J3) imposed by the state of the starboard rudder, the Ultim MACSF treated itself to a final run at over 20 knots in the approaches to Brest harbor.

The damage had occurred 1,000 miles from the Cape of Good Hope when the boat struck a fishing net at 20 knots, compromising the leading edge of the rudder blade. Guirec was subsequently obliged to ease off when on port tack. In consultation with his weather router, Christian Dumard, the skipper opted to sail on starboard (resulting in quite a big detour in the Atlantic) for the record attempt, all of which resulted in the loss of several days.

Apart from this stroke of bad luck, the trimaran appeared to be in perfect condition. On the water, the welcoming committee was gathering - Guirec let his joy and pride burst forth, waving a Breton flag and setting off flares. On board, the new crew remained focused on the maneuvers. With the mainsail lowered, the fenders were put out, and the trimaran was now moving under engine power. It was soon to be joined by other RIBs that tied alongside the hulls and would be assisting with the maneuver to position the boat alongside the dock.

On the Quai Malbert, a large crowd had ...