A reference Ultim trimaran
Sodebo Ultim 3 is an Ultim 32/23 trimaran (32 m × 23 m) designed for offshore racing, both solo and crewed. The project involves the naval architect VPLP Design (with Renaud Bañuls) and several specialized firms: Martin Fischer (foils), GSEA Design (structures), North Sails (aerodynamics).
Construction involved multiple shipyards: Multiplast (central hull, floats, cockpit), CDK Technologies (bow spreader), Lorima (34 m mast, boom), Persico Marine (4 m foils, stern). 110,000 construction hours and 50,000 design hours were required.
Technical specifications
- Length: 32 m × 23 m
- Mast: 34 m (Lorima)
- Sail area: 697 m² downwind
- Foils: 4 m (Persico Marine)
- Construction: carbon fiber, over 16,000 m² of material
- Speed: 45 to 50 knots
Achievements and records
- 3rd Route du Rhum 2022 in Ultim class with Thomas Coville
- 2nd Arkéa Ultim Challenge–Brest (solo round-the-world race for Ultims)
- Winner Jules Verne Trophy crewed (January 2026) in 40 d 10 h 45 m 50 s — world record, +12 h ahead of the previous record
The boat is operated by Team Sodebo, based in Lorient, with Thomas Coville at the helm. Sodebo (food group) has supported Coville's sailing program for many years (first on Sodebo Ultim, then on Sodebo Ultim 3 since 2019).
