Arkea Ultim Challenge Brest - 200 days until the start gun
by Arkea Ultim Challenge 21 Jun 2023 15:01 BST
7 January 2024
Arkea Ultim Challenge Brest - 200 until the start gun © Jean-Louis Carli
Wednesday June 21 is an important milestone at less than eight months before the start of the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE - Brest.
At 200 days before the start gun which will sound on Sunday January 7, 2024, the first ever solo round-the-world race race for the Ultim 32/23 welcomes the Swiss fine watchmaking manufacturer Alpina as Official Timekeeper. Marking this '200 days to go' symbolic date, a countdown clock has been set up at the Ateliers des Capucins on the Place des Machines in Brest right beside what will be the nerve center of what promises to be an epic race.
The skippers and their teams are already well into their preparations. All have their Ultim 32/23 back on the water following their refits. These shakedown sails all bring valuable learning, feedback and technical steps forward. Everyone shares the same, single goal now, ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE - Brest. For the first time ever there is a race around the world which will pit solo, lone skippers against each other aboard giant trimarans, the biggest, fastest most challenging sail powered craft on the oceans.
Alpina, audacity, adventure and innovation
The start will be on January 7, 2024 in Brest that is in 200 days time. A particularly symbolic date for the teams, the organization (OC Sport Pen Duick), their Title Partner (Arkea) and the Main Partners (Brest Métropole and City, the Brittany Region, the Department of Finistère). This group is now joined on this unprecedented adventure by Alpina. The Swiss watchmaker which celebrates 140 years in business in 2023 and has always been driven by an adventurous spirit and a sense of innovation. Alpina really invented the concept of sports watches by ensuring exceptional reliability in all conditions.
Bold and confronting the most extreme challenges Alpina have always been inspired by the alpine world, making solid partnerships with those who aspire to aim for the high peaks literally and in life, such as their commitment to the French Ski Federation (official watch). This year, it will offer all thrill-seekers new versions of its "Extreme" line, ready to take on all conditions.
A challenge across the oceans
But also since the 1960s, the marine universe has been one of the worlds whose values Alpina shares. It created the Seatrong 10 - a diver's watch waterproof to 200 meters - and also the Yachttimer series for sailing. Throughout its history, Alpina has forged a strong history with the most daring explorers in the most demanding environments. The brand is therefore preparing to return to competition with the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE-Brest, this challenge across the oceans.
The House are proud to support this most extreme human and technological challenge as Official Timekeeper. The importance of determination, surpassing oneself and rigor will underly this adventure, shared by Alpina since its creation.
In order to celebrate the 200 days before the big departure, the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE-Brest and Alpina have installed a physical countdown, in the shape of a totem, within the Ateliers des Capucins in Brest. A place that owes nothing to chance since it will be one of the hotspots for all stakeholders before D-Day.
Quotes:
Joseph Bizard, Managing Director of OC Sport Pen Duick: "Ocean racing is marked by symbolic dates and this June 21 is one of them. In 200 days, renowned skippers and prestigious teams will set off for a historic challenge that has long passed the understanding. We are happy to be able to count on the strong support of our partners in this adventure. A pleasure shared with Alpina, a manufacturer which has always been at the forefront of sporting challenges and which has become the official timekeeper of the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE - Brest. More than ever, the countdown is on!"
Yasmina Pedrini, Alpina Communications Director: "Alpina is proud to join forces with the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE - Brest. Our spirit has been dedicated to the exploration of nature since its creation in 1883. This race across the oceans will require determination, investment and rigor on the part of competitors. These are values that Alpina also advocates and which are illustrated through our team of mountaineers, athletes and friends of the House. This commitment is a long-term one since it will last until 2026 and will join the next Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe, which musters the biggest offshore racing fleet of all levels on the same starting line."