Bringing together the biggest ocean racing boats in the Mediterranean Sea
Nice UltiMed will bring together the world's largest ocean racing yachts in Nice. But also the greatest skippers. Indeed, they are already three of the four members of the Ultim Collective to have validated their participation: Thomas Coville (Sodebo Ultim'), holder of the single-handed round the world record, Yves le Blévec (Actual Ultim), currently at sea for a round the world record attempt upside down, and Armel Le Cléac'h (Maxi Banque Populaire IX), winner of the last Vendée Globe. We will also have to count on the formidable Francis Joyon (Idec Sport), holder of the Jules Verne Trophy.
For this crewed race, there will be 6 of them on board, as Armel le Cléac'h explains "Six of us on board for a permanent sprint." explains Armel Le Cléac'h. " We're here to make contact. The intensity will be high because we'll be in sight with the competitors." adds Francis Joyon.
©Jean-Marie Liot / A.S.O.
12 days of racing on the Mediterranean basin
The race will start with 3 days of Warm-Up from Marseille and finish in Nice, from April 25th to 27th. The race will then take its roots in Nice for 9 days. On the programme, an Exhibition Run on Sunday 29th April, the Start of the Race on Wednesday 2nd May, and its arrival on Saturday 5th May, but also a big Nautical Parade on Sunday 6th May to which all boats and ships are invited to celebrate the Ultimate Trimarans. A nautical stadium will be set up during the entire event in Nice, just a few metres from the Promenade des Anglais.
"Nice UltiMed will allow us to share with the public these extraordinary boats which are part of our daily lives, but which the Mediterranean people are not used to seeing." says Yves Le Blévec.
Sailing and its diversity will be in the spotlight with the Diam 24ods of the Tour Voile, the presence of the Olympic series or the youngsters of the P.A.C.A. League or the yacht clubs of Nice.
"With this first confrontation of these extraordinary boats in the Mediterranean, we are on a mission. The whole event, beyond the race itself, its deployment ashore for the general public, its nautical "ramifications", is designed to share, to inspire and to embark a new public in the fabulous adventure of sailing" says Jean-Baptiste Durier, Director of Nice UltiMed.
Ashore, an immersive Expo located on the Promenade des Anglais will plunge visitors into the heart of the race. They will also be able to go directly to meet the giants of the seas and their crews, on the Port of Nice, Quai Infernet.
©Jean-Marie Liot / A.S.O.
Two 1,000 nautical mile courses
On Wednesday 2nd May at 13:02, the boats will set off for two laps of a 1,000 nautical mile circuit via Corsica, Sardinia, the Balearic Islands and the coastline of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. A course that can be adapted according to the weather conditions to allow an arrival in Nice in front of the Promenade des Anglais on Saturday afternoon, May 5.
"The Nice UltiMed route is a journey in itself: Nice, Corsica, Sardinia, the Balearic Islands and the French Riviera. Yet each of these places is a potential weather obstacle that will make the race complex. The Mediterranean can be surprising, unsettling. It's going to force us sailors to be at the top of our game" says Thomas Coville.
