A high-flying 2026 program for Team Sodebo
by Sodebo Ultim 3 25 Mar 07:10 PDT
25 March 2026
Léonard Legrand © Martin Keruzoré / Sodebo Voile
After a historic start to the year with the Jules Verne Trophy record, Team Sodebo Voile is opening a new chapter in its 2026 season. Indeed, the Vendée-based company will be competing in the multihull circuits: in the Ultim class with its long-time skipper Thomas Coville and in the Ocean Fifty class with Léonard Legrand. Already among the fastest sailors around the world, they will have a new high-flying objective with the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe, which starts on November 1st.
Until then, the sporting year will be intense. After its round-the-world crewed voyage, the giant trimaran is in the shipyard until the end of June, while its smaller sibling, Sodebo Fifty, will be launched this Sunday, March 29th, in Lorient.
Léonard Legrand: a new skipper at the helm of Sodebo Fifty
After setting a record this winter, the 32-year-old sailor, who joined Team Voile ten years ago for an apprenticeship in electronics, is embarking on a new chapter in his career. Last October, Sodebo announced the acquisition of an Ocean Fifty (a 15m multihull) to strengthen its commitment to offshore racing alongside the new generation.
After five months of refitting and painting, including a complete overhaul, Sodebo Fifty will be relaunched on March 29th in Lorient. The next few months will be crucial for getting to grips with the trimaran.
To kick off his season and get settled into his new role, Léonard Legrand will participate in the Ocean Fifty Grand Prix, contested in crews with intense trials and coastal courses:
- Act 1 - Sainte-Maxime: April 29 - May 2
- Act 2 - Ajaccio: May 6 - 9
For these initial races, he will be joined by Thomas Coville, Benjamin Schwartz, and Frédéric Denis, all Jules Verne Trophy winners, as well as the talented Charlotte Yven, who joins Team Sodebo for these events. François Duguet and Charles Defontaine (boat captain of the Sodebo boats) will take turns completing the crew.
Legrand says, "We're getting closer to the launch and it's becoming very real. We're seeing the final version of the boat with its new colors. These are exciting moments that allow us to envision the future. Sodebo Fifty has been modified in several aspects, so we need to make sure everything works perfectly. We're going to fine-tune it, and the Grand Prix races will allow us to get to grips with it. We have a fantastic crew.
"I'm going to be learning as I go. Knowing that I can count on Thomas, Benjamin, Freddy (Denis), and all the expertise of Team Sodebo is the ideal framework for approaching solo sailing in a measured way. I'm also thrilled to welcome Charlotte to our crew. The Ocean Fifty boats are very fast and demanding; you have to stay in control to progress smoothly."
The rest of the season will continue solo:
- Act 3 - Drheam Cup (Cherbourg > Lorient): July 9-18
- Act 4 - 24H Ultim: End of September
- Act 5 - Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe (Saint-Malo > Pointe-à-Pitre): departure on November 1st
He added, "It's still hard to believe. I first experienced the Route du Rhum as a spectator, then as a technical preparer for Thomas in 2018 and 2022. The prospect of being at the starting line as a skipper is indescribable; it's an incredible opportunity that Sodebo is offering me. You also have to keep that childlike spirit and remember how amazing it is to embark on such an adventure!"
Thomas Coville: The Ultim on its way to the queen of transatlantic races
Thomas Coville is already looking ahead to his main objective for the season: the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe, considered the queen of transatlantic races. The skipper of the giant trimaran will be setting off on his eighth Route du Rhum. Already a winner in 1998 in the IMOCA class and with several podium finishes in the Ultim class, the sailor who has sailed under the Sodebo banner since 1999 dreams of adding his name to the list of winners of this legendary race once again.
The Sodebo Ultim 3 trimaran is currently undergoing repairs at its base in Lorient. The objective: to continue the technological development of the giant of the seas with several major upgrades allowing it to take off even faster, including new foils, new rudders, and a new daggerboard.
Although he will sail this first half of the year in Ocean Fifty to accompany Léo in discovering his new role, Thomas Coville will begin his solo preparation as soon as the boat is relaunched at the end of June.
- Drheam Cup (Cherbourg > Lorient): July 9-18
- 24H Ultim: End of September
- Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe (Saint-Malo > Pointe-à-Pitre): departure on November 1st
Coville said, "This winter has been incredible with a 2nd place finish in the Transat Café de l'Or and our record in the Jules Verne Trophy. We've made enormous progress and shown that Sodebo Ultim 3 is competitive. Since returning from our round-the-world race, we've been working to improve the boat, and we're going to take it to the next level with new foils. The Route du Rhum is the race of my life; I want to win it, and we're going to give it our all to perform well. I say 'we' because it's a team effort that's ongoing, with Benjamin Schwartz also pushing the boundaries of performance and leading the routing team.
"Until then, I'll continue sailing and supporting Léo as he gets to grips with Sodebo Fifty to help him get off to a flying start. It's interesting to sail on this circuit with so many manoeuvres. This season is shaping up to be intense, and I can't wait!"
With its two skippers, Team Sodebo Voile approaches this 2026 season with a strong ambition: to shine on the two major offshore racing circuits and to aim for victory on the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe.