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French Sailor Guirec Soudée Attempts to Sail Around the World in the Opposite Direction Since December 23, 2025, Faces 40 Thousand Miles Against Winds and Seeks to Break the Record of 122 Days and 14 Hours Set in 2004
Frenchman Guirec Soudée started on December 23, 2025, a sail around the world in the opposite direction to the traditional, aboard the trimaran Ultim MACSF, aiming to cover 40 thousand miles and challenge the record of 122 days and 14 hours that has stood since 2004.
The proposal breaks with the classic route of the Vendée Globe, a solo, non-stop circumnavigation race.
Instead of following the prevailing winds and currents, Soudée sails from east to west, facing adverse conditions throughout almost the entire route.
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The challenge imposes a total estimated distance of 40 thousand miles, nearly double the 25 thousand miles covered in the traditional Vendée Globe.
The difference arises because, contrary to what one might imagine, it is not possible to maintain a direct line when the wind blows exactly from the intended direction.
Sailing Around the World Against Winds and Currents Requires a Route Expanded by 45°
In practice, sailing around the world in the opposite direction forces the sailor to constantly alter the boat’s angle in relation to the wind.
After rounding each cape, Soudée needs to adjust his navigation by up to 45° to make progress.
This technical necessity explains why the journey becomes longer. Sailing against winds and currents means expanding the route, avoiding the physical impossibility of heading directly towards the destination when the wind blows in the opposite direction.
Since the start, the Frenchman has faced continuous headwinds. The crossing represents a literal sail against the tide, requiring frequent maneuvers and constant vigilance.
63 Days of Crossing and Passage by Cape Leeuwin
So far, there have been 63 days of journey around the planet in the opposite direction to the traditional. Soudée has passed Cape Leeuwin in Australia and is now heading towards Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
The location of the trimaran can be tracked in real-time on the official website. The tracking shows the boat’s progress along a route marked by severe conditions and constant course adjustments.
The Frenchman’s performance has been consistent, even in the face of the tribulations imposed by the choice of the reverse direction.
The attempt places his name among the few who decided to take on circumnavigation in this configuration.
The Record of 122 Days and 14 Hours Remains Intact Since 2004
The record for sailing around the world in the opposite direction belongs to Frenchman Jean Luc Van Den Heede. In 2004, he completed the route in 122 days and 14 hours, sailing solo in a monohull.
Since then, the mark has not been surpassed. In multihulls, only two attempts have occurred. Yves Le Blevevem, in 2017, aboard the Actual Ultim, and Romain Pilliard with Alex Pella, in 2021, on Use It Again, did not complete the crossing.
Both attempts failed in South America. However, Soudée stated he feels ready to break the record established more than two decades ago.
Moments of Tense Situations on the Southern Coast of Australia
Sailing against the wind also imposes uncommon challenges in the traditional Vendée Globe. In a report published in the MACSF logbook, the sailor described moments of tension along the southern coast of Australia.
According to him, he shared the waters with oil platforms, fishing vessels, and cargo ships. At one point, there was a freighter to starboard and another to port, both passing very close.
The need to maintain a constant state of alert prevented rest in that stretch. Soudée also reported radio contact via VHF with a captain to confirm if he was being seen clearly and to discuss the passing maneuver.
When hearing that his boat was fast, he replied that his speed was unpredictable, as it depended on the wind. The interaction underscores the complexity of sailing in the reverse direction, in areas where trimarans are not common.
The Trimaran Ultim MACSF and the History of 49 Days, 3 Hours, and 7 Minutes
To face the sail around the world in the opposite direction, Soudée chose a boat with an impressive history. The current Ultim MACSF is the former Sodebo Ultim, which belonged to skipper Thomas Coville.
Under Coville’s command, the vessel completed a solo circumnavigation in 2016 in 49 days, 3 hours, and 7 minutes. This performance set the record for the fastest sail around the world in a sailboat.
The choice of the trimaran is directly linked to the technical demands of the project. The combination of the navigator’s experience and the vessel’s capability is seen as a central factor for the attempt.
Even sailing against the tide of the world, Soudée maintains the goal of completing the expected 40 thousand miles. If he reaches the mark before 122 days and 14 hours, he will enter the history of solo ocean navigation.
With information from Nautica.
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