THE VILLAGE, 11,000 m2 TO GET IN THE RACE!

Exceptional events call for exceptional structures. For several days now, on the Quai Malbert, the people of Brest have been watching the construction of the huge ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE - Brest village. In total, almost 11,000 m2 dedicated to the race are currently under construction. The six boats - Actual Ultim 3, SVR-Lazartigue, Sodebo Ultim 3, Maxi Banque Populaire XI, Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, Ultim Adagio - will all be lined up, one after the other. Opposite these trimarans, several structures will provide spectators with an experience in their own right.

Doors open on 29 December

Visitors will enter through L'Atelier des Géants, an immersive space retracing the history of round-the-world multihull racing, where they can discover the personality of each of the six skippers taking part in this inaugural edition of the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE - Brest, as well as the events organised by Brest Ville & Métropole, the Brittany Region and the Conseil Départemental du Finisètre. A little further on, an indoor stage "Sant Erwann - La scène Ultim" will be one of the nerve centres of the village, where the entertainment will follow one another. In addition, each team and several partners - Arkéa, Alpina, Armor Lux, Le Groupe Télégramme, Radio France - will have their own dedicated area. A structure will also be provided to welcome the partners and all the guests.

This area will be inaugurated at 5pm on 29 December, the same day as the maxi-trimarans dock on the quayside after a grand parade. Thereafter, the village will open its doors every day at 10am (except on the day of departure, Sunday 7 January at 9am). It will be open to the public free of charge, and will offer a wide range of initiatives to ensure that visitors have an exceptional time.

Every day, there will be an event with a name that reflects its promise - "Discovering the Ultims" - as well as the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE - Brest newspaper and daily concerts starting at 6pm. The general public will be able to meet the skippers at a number of special events, including presentations and autograph sessions. It's a great way to immerse yourself in the race, to understand the tough challenge that awaits the sailors and to give them plenty of encouragement before the big start on Sunday 7 January.

They said

Julien Carmona, President of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa et Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne

"As Title Partner of this unprecedented sporting event in the world of sailing, we invite you to join us for the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE - Brest in the race village, which will be opening its doors at Quai Malbert in Brest on 29 December. It's a real source of pride for a cooperative and territorial banking group like ours to be associated with our day-to-day institutional partners - the Metropole, the Département, the Region, as well as the Télégramme group and OC Sport Pen Duick - so that we can share our common passion for the sea and sailing with as many people as possible. The entertainment and festivities planned for the village pavilions will undoubtedly match the extraordinary spectacle promised by the 6 skippers setting off from Ushant on this extraordinary round-the-world voyage."

François Cuillandre, Mayor of Brest and Chairman of Brest Métropole

"Brest undoubtedly has the most beautiful harbour in the world. And it is in front of this magnificent stretch of water that the people of Brest, as well as visitors from other shores, will be able to admire the parade of arrivals of the giants of the seas on 29 December, the opening day of the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE - Brest village. This 11,000 m² village has been conceived and designed as a place to share and celebrate maritime culture. I would like to invite as many people as possible to come and enjoy the ten days of entertainment and festivities, which will be a milestone in the history of Brest and ocean racing. There can be no doubt that the departure of the skippers for this first-ever single-handed round-the-world race in an Ultim on 7 January will be engraved in people's minds forever!"

Pierre Pouliquen, Vice-President of Région Bretagne, responsible for youth, equal rights, sport and community life

"As the main partner of the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE - Brest, Région Bretagne will be offering visitors to the event village a voyage on and under the oceans.
Over an area of more than 200m², visitors will be able to discover the exhibition "Les Nouveaux Explorateurs s'engagent pour la planète", presenting five maritime expeditions combining scientific research, innovation and awareness-raising supported by the Region. Models, videos, photos and even an underwater capsule, the only one of its kind in the world, will plunge visitors into the world of these extraordinary explorers and give them an insight into their daily lives.
Every day, Région Bretagne will also be inviting visitors to play to win gift vouchers for travel on the ships in the BreizhGo network making the crossings to Ushant, Molène and Sein!"

Pascal Goulaouic, Conseiller départemental du Finistère

"The ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE - Brest will make its mark on the sailing world in 2024. A new chapter in the history of ocean racing is opening with this unprecedented solo round-the-world race. A great ocean adventure starting in Finistère!
For 10 days, the 6 best skippers in the Ultim class will be celebrated in the port of Brest. As a partner in this major event, the Département will be taking part in the festivities, in particular by offering a special welcome to children under its care and to people with disabilities, so that they can get a behind-the-scenes look at the race. Numerous challenges await them in the Finistère area. The Department has also invited those involved in the sailing industry and intends to encourage the practice of water sports."