Charles Caudrelier is the “Sailor of the Year 2024”. The Finistère skipper was elected in the first round by a majority of votes this Monday evening, during a ceremony at the Olympiaa, in front of figures from Olympic sailing (Charline Picon, Sarah Steyaert, Lauriane Nolot) or ocean racing (Yoan Richomme, winner of The Transat and who is currently playing the leading roles in the Vendée Globe).
He owes his victory to his victory in the Arkéa Ultim Challenge in February 2024, the first race around the world, solo, organized between maxi-trimarans (ahead of Thomas Coville, Armel Le Cléac’h, Anthony Marchand and Eric Péron; Tom Laperche had abandoned).
The 50-year-old from Fouesnant had completed a trip around the world on his Maxi Edmond de Rothschild in 50 days, 19 hours 7 minutes and 42 seconds.
Impressive track record and new Ultim in sight
He succeeds the “Sailor of the Year” list to the Var kitefoiler Lauriane Nolot. “It’s a great honor. I was also elected because there is a great team behind me. My sport is like Formula 1, if you don’t have the right car on Sunday you don’t win” reacted the Breton sailor during the award ceremony Monday evening in Paris.
During the Arké Ultim, Charles Caudrelier was the first to pass the three reference capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn) and he set several records on his passage (crossing the Indian Ocean in 8 days and 8 hours and Brest-Cap Leeuwin in 18 days and 5 hours).
Charles Caudrelier, winner of the Solitaire du Figaro (2004), the Transat Jacques-Vabre (2009, 2013, 2021) and the Rum Route (2022), had already been elected sailor of the year in 2018 thanks to his victory on theOcean Racecrewed round-the-world race, at the head of the Chinese Donfeng team.
He is currently working in Lorient (Morbihan) with the Gitana team on the design of the Ultim which is to succeed the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, for launch planned for September 2025.
He joins the closed circle of double stars: Franck Cammas, Sailor of the Year 2012, 2013 and Sailor of the Decade 2010-2020 and Michel Desjoyeaux, Sailor of the Year 2001, 2007 and 2009.
Related News :