Guirec Soudée, the first man to sail around the world backwards in a multihull

He has just written his name in gold in the history of sailing. Guirec Soudée crossed the finish line off Ushant on the morning of March 28, 2026, at the end of an absolutely historic round-the-world voyage in reverse.

©Anne Beaugé

Aboard the maxi-trimaran MACSF, the 34-year-old skipper completed this circumnavigation from east to west in 94 days, 21 hours, and 58 minutes, shattering a record that had stood for over two decades. Held since 2004 by Jean-Luc Van Den Heede in a monohull, this record had stood for 21 years at 122 days and 14 hours. Guirec Soudée erased it in one fell swoop, finishing nearly 28 days ahead of schedule.

The most audacious solo maritime feat in history

It was a challenge that many considered one of the most difficult ever conceived at sea: to set off alone, non-stop, to sail around the world… but in reverse, against the prevailing winds and currents of the planet.

This route represents nearly 40,000 nautical miles, compared to 25,000 on the Vendée Globe route, which benefits from more favorable winds. Departing from Ushant on December 23, 2025, Guirec rounded Cape Horn on January 14, 2026, Cape Leeuwin on February 18, then the Cape of Good Hope on March 6, 2026, before heading back up the Atlantic to reach Brest.

By crossing the finish line, Guirec Soudée became the first sailor to complete a solo circumnavigation of the globe in reverse on a multihull. A feat never before accomplished, in either direction, on this type of giant boat.

©Anne Beaugé

A sailor-adventurer, true to himself

At the start of the race, the skipper had never sailed solo on an Ultim, this 32-meter-long giant of the seas, usually sailed with a crew. A choice that speaks volumes about his character. Throughout the crossing, he demonstrated remarkable strategic acumen, not hesitating to significantly lengthen his route—sometimes by several thousand miles—to protect his boat and avoid the most dangerous areas.

A damaged rudder after hitting a fishing net, a moment of solitude off the coast of South Africa in a shark-infested sea, a cargo ship narrowly missed… all these trials were overcome with composure and determination.

Upon arrival, with tears in his eyes, Guirec Soudée summed up the adventure thus: "Sailing around the world alone, in the wrong direction, on a boat like this, is not easy. I consider myself very privileged and very lucky to have made it to the end. More than a record, it's an adventure."

A sea adventurer, in the purest sense of the term, who has clearly not finished pushing the limits of the impossible.