The four monster trimarans taking part in the 14,000-mile Brest Atlantiques race, from Brest, France, to Brazil and then Cape Town and back, found themselves battling brutal conditions under deeply reefed sails from the word go.

The event in many ways represents the pinnacle of French offshore sailing, with such legends as Volvo Ocean Races winners Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier, and Vendée Globe winner François Gabart among the sailors making up the doublehanded crews.

It also represents the first large-scale, head-to-head event for the spectacular Ultim class, with Actual Leader, Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, Trimaran MACIF and Sodebo Ultim 3 locking horns over an enormous triangle course spanning the length and breadth of both the North and South Atlantic.

To see how the eight competitors are faring in real-time, click here. For additional video coverage, click here.

November 2019