Thomas Coville and Sodebo 3 set a new West‑Equatorian benchmark during Jules Verne attempt

At 01:03:30 French time on Saturday the Ultim Trimaran Sodebo 3, skippered by Thomas Coville, crossed the equator in a recorded time of 4 days, 4 hours, 2 minutes and 25 seconds, establishing a new outright West‑Equatorian record for the Jules Verne Trophy route. After five days and 15 hours at sea they were approximately 681 nautical miles ahead of the previous record pace.

Record progress at a glance

The current run outpaced the previous fastest West‑Equatorian split held by Spindrift 2 from 2019 by nearly 15 hours and 54 minutes. Relative to the overall record pace set by Francis Joyon on IDEC Sport in 2017, the Sodebo 3 crew are now 1 day, 14 hours and 56 minutes faster on that same segment.

Crew composition and operational note

• Skipper: Thomas Coville
• Crew: Benjamin Schwartz, Frédéric Denis, Pierre Leboucher, Léonard Legrand, Guillaume Pirouelle, Nicolas Troussel
• Vessel: Ultim Trimaran Sodebo 3
• Start date: 15 December 2025

Keeping an Ultim trimaran at record pace for consecutive days demands constant sail and trimming adjustments, precise weather routing and uninterrupted systems monitoring—factors that have driven the Sodebo 3’s split advantage.

How the split compares: a quick table

Operational factors behind the pace

Key contributors to the split advantage include optimized routing through subtropical wind bands, aggressive foiling modes where sea state permits, and round‑the‑clock sail changes to exploit gust windows. The Sodebo 3 team’s ability to sustain these regimes while managing crew rest cycles and mechanical reliability has been decisive.

Implications for the Jules Verne Trophy standings

With the project on IDEC Sport out of direct contention on this stretch, Coville and his team are positioned to press the overall attempt. Maintaining boat systems and avoiding weather traps during the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean crossings will be the immediate tactical focus.

Why sailors and travelers should take note

For sailing enthusiasts and adventure travelers, record attempts like this highlight the interplay between cutting‑edge marine technology and weather logistics. Observing a Jules Verne run at a glance offers lessons in route planning, safety margins for high‑speed craft, and the appeal of witnessing human and machine push endurance limits—elements that increasingly filter into experiential tourism offerings.

• Educational value: live‑routing and meteorology clinics inspired by these runs.
• Adventure tourism: spectator flotillas, coastal viewing packages and marine safaris timed with record attempts.
• Luxury options: exclusive yacht charters or cruise packages that combine racing windows with local sightseeing.

Travel operators and local guides often package shore‑side experiences around high‑profile trans‑oceanic events; this convergence of sport and tourism allows visitors to add museum tours with live guides, interactive online cultural workshops or even short adventure rafting trips for beginners to their itineraries, combining high adrenaline and cultural immersion.

On GetExperience, you book your experience from verified providers at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make informed choices about related travel experiences—whether you prefer museum tours with live guides, eco‑friendly wildlife safaris, or exclusive yacht charters for events. GetExperience offers a wide variety of tours worldwide to suit any preference and budget. Book now GetExperience.com

Highlights and final considerations

The Sodebo 3 West‑Equatorian mark underlines how tactical routing, vessel performance and crew management translate into record splits. While times and statistics provide clear highlights, even the best reviews and the most honest feedback can’t truly compare to personal experience—seeing a race corridor, joining a related cruise package or taking part in a shore activity brings context and excitement. On GetExperience, you book your experience from verified providers at reasonable prices; enjoy convenience, affordability and an extensive range of options to match your travel taste. Book now GetExperience.com

In summary: Sodebo 3 established a new West‑Equatorian record during the Jules Verne attempt, outpacing Spindrift 2 and improving on the pace of IDEC Sport. Crew expertise, routing and foiling strategy were decisive. For travelers, this event opens up opportunities for tailored travel experiences—from museum tours with live guides to luxury adventure travel experiences, safari tours, yacht parties and cruise packages—each offering a different way to connect with modern ocean racing and adventure activities. Whether you seek online virtual tours or plan to join in person, the blend of professional esports training programs‑style precision in routing and the human drama of endurance sailing makes this a standout moment for both sport and tourism.