French sailor Charles Caudrelier, the long-time leader of the Ultim Challenge solo multihull race around the world, has become the first to pass Cape Horn. The landmark was passed at 17:08:20hrs UTC on Tuesday, marking a significant moment in the race.
Caudrelier, who is sailing on the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, has led the race at all three of the course’s Great Capes, and now faces the 7000-mile ascent of the Atlantic back to Brest. His elapsed time for the passage from the race start is 30 days, 4 hours, 38 minutes, and 20 seconds.
"Caudrelier has led the race at all three of the course’s Great Capes"
The French racer had to put his race on hold due to a big storm at Cape Horn over the weekend, going very slowly for some 48 hours to avoid the heinous weather system. He sped up again on Sunday evening to head east again and arrive at Cape Horn this Tuesday evening.
Caudrelier’s prudence was rewarded with moderate to fresh N’ly winds, which allowed him to pass at around 20-30 knots of boat speed this evening. The passage of Cape Horn represents an important moment of deliverance for generations of sailors.
Second-placed Armel Le Cléac'h (Maxi Banque Populaire XI) and third-placed Thomas Coville (Sodebo Ultim 3, 3rd) are expected at Cape Horn this weekend.
