Nice UltiMed will bring together the Ultime trimarans, the largest racing sailboats in the world. And for these exceptional boats, there’s an exceptional lineup, featuring the elite of skippers for a true Clash of the Titans.
Three of the four members of the Ultim Collective have already been announced: Thomas Coville (Sodebo Ultim), holder of the solo around-the-world record, Yves le Blévec (Actual Ultim), currently at sea attempting the reverse around-the-world record, and Armel Le Cléac’h (Maxi Banque Populaire IX), winner of the last Vendée Globe. This dream lineup is complemented by the formidable Francis Joyon (IDEC SPORT), holder of the Jules Verne Trophy.
The skippers will be accompanied by 6 top-notch crew members for a non-stop sprint.
Nice UltiMed will start with three days of Warm-Up in Marseille from April 25 to 27. The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Prologue departing from Marseille to Nice on Friday, April 27, will highlight the region’s magnificent coastline.
The event will then settle in Nice for 9 days. On the water agenda: an Exhibition Run on Sunday, April 29, the Race Start on Wednesday, May 2, and its finish on Saturday, May 5, as well as a grand Nautical Parade on Sunday, May 6, inviting all vessels and boats to celebrate the Ultime trimarans.
To complete this sailing festival, a Nautical Stadium will be set up throughout the entire event in Nice, just a few meters from the Promenade des Anglais.
“The whole event, beyond the race itself, its on-land deployment for the general public, its nautical ‘branches,’ is designed to share, inspire, and bring a new audience into the fabulous adventure of sailing,” says Jean-Baptiste Durier, Director of Nice UltiMed.
Starting from Nice on Wednesday, May 2, the boats will have to complete two
laps of a 1,000 nautical mile course via Corsica, Sardinia, the Balearic Islands, and the
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur coastline. This route
may be adjusted based on weather conditions to ensure an
arrival in Nice in front of the Promenade des Anglais on the afternoon of Saturday, May 5.
