25 years with 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 unusual 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 record in crew on 25 January 2026.
Jules Verne 2026: 40 days in crew
On 25 January 2026, Sodebo Ultim 3 completed the Jules Verne Trophy in 40d 10h 45m 50s, with a crew of 7. Outright round-the-world record in crew. Coville is skipper, after having been crewmate on the previous Jules Verne record (Groupama 3, 2010) and then on the 2011–2012 Volvo Ocean Race — two campaigns led by Franck Cammas.
49 days solo, under the 50-day mark
On 25 December 2016, he became the first skipper to complete a solo round-the-world passage in under 50 days: 49d 3h 7m 38s. The boat was then Sodebo Ultim', a refit of the Maxi Trimaran Sodebo (ex-Géronimo), which he has sailed since 2007. Three aborted 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 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 equipped the Maxi Trimaran Sodebo as early as 2007 when the team took over Géronimo. The partnership continued on subsequent generations — Sodebo Ultim' then Sodebo Ultim 3.
Palmarès
- Jules Verne Trophy 2026 — 40d 10h 45m 50s on Sodebo Ultim 3, crew of 7 (outright record, finish 25 January 2026).
- 2016 solo round-the-world — 49d 3h 7m 38s on Sodebo Ultim', first under 50 days.
- 2017 Transat Jacques Vabre — winner with Jean-Luc Nélias on Sodebo Ultim' (7d 22h 7m).
- 2011–2012 Volvo Ocean Race — winner as crew on Groupama 4 (skipper Franck Cammas).
- Jules Verne Trophy 2010 — winner as crew on Groupama 3, 48d 7h 44m (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.
