Armel Le Cléac'h, winner of the 2016-17 Vendée Globe, has finished on the podium in all three of his solo round-the-world races. He recently completed the Ultim Challenge solo multihull race round the world race, taking third place sailing the ULTIM Banque Populaire XI. Le Cléac'h's elapsed time for the course was 56 days, 8 hours, 1 minute, and 31 seconds. He finished 5 days, 12 hours, and 53 minutes after winner Charles Caudrelier.
Le Cléac'h's resilience, stamina, and determination earned him third place this time, rather than his proven abilities, which include sustaining high average speeds, wily weather strategies, and a deep desire to win. When he crossed the finish line, he punched the air and smiled broadly, relieved to have completed the 22,640 nautical miles course.
Le Cléac'h faced several frustrating technical problems during the race, which marred his performance. He was forced to make two technical stops, and just a few days ago, he had to repair a major leak on the foredeck of his boat, which had filled the main hull with water. Despite these setbacks, Le Cléac'h remained determined and satisfied that his technical team had helped him overcome these challenges.
Armel Le Cléac'h faced several frustrating technical problems during the Ultim Challenge race on board the ULTIM Banque Populaire X Photo: Jeremie Lecaudey
Le Cléac'h started the race with high hopes and expectations of success. He and co-skipper Seb Josse won last November's Transat Jaques Vabre race from Le Havre across the Atlantic to Martinique, unveiling a new significant speed edge downwind. Although Banque Populaire XI showed signs of potential in the early days of the race, the first technical stop left Le Cléac'h way behind eventual winner Charles Caudrelier and Thomas Coville.
Le Cléac'h was more than 1500 miles behind Coville when he passed the Cape of Good Hope, but he caught up and passed Sodebo Ultim 3 when Coville had to pitstop into Hobart. However, the second pitstop ended Le Cléac'h's hopes of second place. Despite the setbacks, Le Cléac'h set the fastest 24-hour distance of the race at 842 miles, just short of the 851 miles record held by François Gabart.
After a tough climb up the South Atlantic, Le Cléac'h was forced to make a second technical stopover in Rio de Janeiro. He had built a margin of over 500 miles over Coville, but then he suffered two successive blows, one to his main rudder and the other to his port float rudder, losing the use of both. The compromised performance of his ULTIM and unfavourable weather conditions tested Le Cléach's patience and strength of character. But he remained resolute and determined until the end.
