25 years at Sodebo, first under 50 days solo, Jules-Verne 2026 in crew
Thomas Coville has raced with Sodebo since 1999 — a quarter of a century with the same partner, which is not common in offshore racing. He now helms the Sodebo Ultim 3, a 32-meter foil-assisted trimaran launched in 2019, and has just set the outright round-the-world crew record on January 25, 2026.
Jules-Verne 2026: 40 days in crew
On January 25, 2026, Sodebo Ultim 3 completes the Jules-Verne Trophy in 40d 10h 45min 50s, with a crew of 7. Outright round-the-world crew record. Coville is skipper, after having been crewmate on the previous Jules-Verne record (Groupama 3, 2010) and on the 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race — two campaigns led by Franck Cammas.
49 days solo, under the 50-day mark
On December 25, 2016, he became the first skipper to complete a solo round-the-world voyage in under 50 days: 49d 3h 7min 38s. The boat was then Sodebo Ultim', a refit of the Maxi Trimaran Sodebo (ex-Géronimo) which he has helmed since 2007. Three failed attempts in previous years before the successful one.
From IMOCA monohulls to giant trimarans
Before multihulls, Coville went through the entire monohull path: 1998 Route du Rhum win on Aquitaine Innovations, 6th place in the 2000-2001 Vendée Globe. Three wins in the Transat Jacques-Vabre — 1999 with Hervé Jan on Sodeb'O, 2017 with Jean-Luc Nélias on Sodebo Ultim'. The continuity with Sodebo covers all these boats.
Skysat on board since 2007
Skysat has equipped the Maxi Trimaran Sodebo since 2007 when the team took over Géronimo. The relationship has continued through subsequent generations — Sodebo Ultim' then Sodebo Ultim 3.
Palmarès
- 2026 Jules-Verne Trophy — 40d 10h 45min 50s on Sodebo Ultim 3, crew of 7 (outright record, finish January 25, 2026).
- 2016 solo round-the-world — 49d 3h 7min 38s on Sodebo Ultim', first under 50 days.
- 2017 Transat Jacques-Vabre — winner with Jean-Luc Nélias on Sodebo Ultim' (7d 22h 7min).
- 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race — winner as crew on Groupama 4 (skipper Franck Cammas).
- 2010 Jules-Verne Trophy — winner as crew on Groupama 3, 48d 7h 44min (skipper Franck Cammas).
- 2000-2001 Vendée Globe — 6th.
- 1999 Transat Jacques-Vabre — winner with Hervé Jan on Sodeb'O.
- 1998 Route du Rhum — winner in monohull on Aquitaine Innovations.
