Let $r(t), t\in [0,1]$ be a continuous piecewise $C^1$ curve on the plane where $r(0)=(0,0)$ and $r(1)=(1,0)$. The distance $|r(t)|$ is a non-decreasing function and the distance $|r(t)-(1,0)|$ is a non-increasing function. $r_m(t), t\in [0,1]$ defined below (a semi vesica piscis) is such a curve. $$ \begin{equation} r_m(t) := \begin{cases} \left(1-\cos\Big(\frac{2\pi}{3}t\Big),\sin\Big(\frac{2\pi}{3}t\Big)\right), & \forall t\in \Big[0,\frac{1}{2}\Big]; \\ \left(\cos\Big(\frac{2\pi}{3}(1-t)\Big),\sin\Big(\frac{2\pi}{3}(1-t)\Big)\right), & \forall t\in \Big[\frac{1}{2},1\Big]. \end{cases} \end{equation} $$
Question 1: Does curve $r_m(t)$ maximize the length of all admissible curves $r(t)$? Question 1 has been answered by Pietro Major below in the negative.
Question 2: Suppose $r(t)$ consists of $n$ straight line segments, what is the maximal length curve $r(t)$?