Could There Be A More Magnificent Class Than France's Ocean-Conquering Ultims?
Could there? Honestly, I doubt it. These high-speed, foiling giants are the apex predators of offshore sailing—trimarans the size of tennis courts flying on carbon foils at highway speeds. They're outrageous, elegant, and utterly uncompromising. And in true French fashion, they come with a racing calendar just as bold as the boats themselves.
The Ultim Class has just rolled out an ambitious four-year programme that leaves no ocean unchallenged. From Mediterranean mythology to the Southern Ocean, the mix of solo, double-handed, and fully crewed racing – this schedule has it all.
Kicking off this October, the Uktim fleet returns to Le Havre, France for the Transat Café L'Or, a two-handed dash to the French Caribbean island of Martinique that promises full-throttle Atlantic action. Expect thousands to crowd the docks in the Eure Basin to see the Ultims up close before they vanish over the horizon.
Then in 2026, it’s the big one. The Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe is back. For Ultim sailors, this solo transatlantic classic is the Everest of offshore racing. Since 1978, the Route du Rhum has been where records are set, legends are made, and boats are pushed to the edge—and sometimes over it.
But when you're sailing machines this fast, why stop at a mere ocean crossing?
The class is already gearing up for the second edition of the Arkea Ultim Challenge – Brest, a solo, round-the-world race that debuted in 2024 to fanfare and fierce competition. The 2028 edition promises more of the same: solo sailors flying around the planet at record setting pace and dodging ice as they eat up the open ocean miles.
Not content to dominate the Atlantic, the Ultims are heading back to the Med. In 2026, the brand-new Ultim Odyssey will trace the wake of ancient Greek myths, blending history, culture, and cutting-edge tech. It’s an inspired twist—sailing’s future exploring its past.
In the north of France there's talk of the Course des Caps race, a potential new event for the class that starts in Boulogne-sur-Mer. It would mark the class’s first venture into the chillier waters of the North Sea, expanding both its geographic and tactical horizons.
In between the blockbusters, the Ultims teams are keeping sharp with an aggressive schedule of shorter races and public showdowns. Expect to see them at the Tour de Belle-Île, ArMen Race, Isle of Wight Tour, and of course, the Rolex Fastnet Race. They’ll also return to Lorient in September 2025 for the 24H Ultim, a double-handed sprint that’s a prefect primer for the autumn's major events.
And when they're not racing? They’re chasing records—transatlantic, Mediterranean, or the ultimate prize: the Jules Verne Trophy. Seems like there's no off switch for this class.
As Ultim Class President Samuel Tual puts it:
"This programme is a reflection of what we have been building for several years: a demanding, varied circuit that combines mythical events and new formats... a playground that is up to the level of the boats and the sailors, while remaining connected to the public and to the evolution of our sport."
The sentiment is spot-on. The Ultim class has become more than just a sailing series—it’s a modern saga of speed, technology, and ambition. And for those of us watching from the dock, the screen, or the media centre, it’s one of the best shows on the water.
ACTUAL GROUP / Anthony Marchand
BANQUE POPULAIRE / Armel Le Cléac'h
GITANA FRANCE / Charles Caudrelier
SODEBO / Thomas Coville
SVR - LAZARTIGUE / Tom Laperche
Get all areas access to Yacht Racing Life with a Full Membership free 30-day trial. There's no obligation and you can cancel at anytime.
It’s been sailing’s worst kept secret for the past several months, but it has now been formally confirmed that Australia is returning to the America’s Cup for the first time in 26 years.
An independent subscriber-supported website, newsletter, and podcast. Featuring exclusive stories and interviews about Grand Prix sailboat racing. Subscribe to receive our free email newsletter. Get full access with a paid subscription.
Subscribe for free to receive our email newsletter.
