Brest - 12 July 2024

On the occasion of the Fêtes maritimes de Brest, Charles Caudrelier, winner of the first edition of the Arkéa Ultim Challenge - Brest, unveiled two bronze plaques on the Digue Lapérouse commemorating his exploit. From 7 January to 27 February this year, he completed the first single-handed round the world race contested on flying maxi trimarans, in 50 days, 19 hours and 7 minutes, aboard the Maxi-Edmond-de-Rothschild. The ceremony was attended by François Cuillandre, Mayor of Brest and Chairman of Brest Métropole, and Luc Moal, Vice-Chairman of Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne and director of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa.

"It's the first plaque on this sea wall for the first winner of the first race," enthused François Cuillandre, the Mayor of Brest. Charles Caudrelier: "I wouldn't have dreamt of such a crazy race in my life with such incredible boats. I hope there will be many more editions, more boats at the start and even more people. I hope that the Arkéa Ultim Challenge - Brest will become a legendary race like the Route du Rhum and the Vendée Globe. I'm convinced of it, because you can't have a more beautiful race, a more beautiful course and more beautiful boats. This autumn, the skipper will be tackling the Jules Verne Trophy record.

Over the course of the event, Arkéa Ultim Challenge - Brest has enjoyed a high profile nationally and beyond our borders. The general public has not been mistaken and has responded en masse, transforming the race into a huge popular festival in the heart of winter. More than 230,000 people turned out to enjoy the various highlights of the event. On 7 January, more than 1,250,000 viewers watched the start of the race on television.