Sports · Other Sports · 2 hrs ago
Francis Joyon capsizes in the Route du Rhum; rescue operation launched
Francis Joyon capsized during the 2026 Route du Rhum, a transatlantic sailing race.
The 70-year-old French skipper was sailing in the Celtic Sea in the Vintage Multi category.
Joyon was not injured, according to the race organisers, but the cause of the capsize was not yet known.
A rescue operation was launched with France’s CROSS Jobourg rescue centre and British authorities.
Joyon had made a strong start and was leading his category, though another account placed him third overall at an earlier race update.
The incident ended his strong start and adds to a race already marked by other boats colliding or suffering technical problems.
He won the Route du Rhum in the Ultim category in 2018 and had also capsized in the race in 2002.
Rescuers were working to assist him; no further outcome was given.
Francis Joyon capsized during the 2026 Route du Rhum in the Celtic Sea, and a rescue operation was launched.
The 70-year-old skipper was not injured, according to the race organizers.
The rescue operation involved the CROSS of Jobourg and British authorities.
The cause of the capsize was not known.
Joyon was competing in the Vintage Multi category and had made a strong start to the race.
- Who
- Francis Joyon, a 70-year-old skipper.
- What
- He capsized during the Route du Rhum, prompting a rescue operation.
- When
- Monday, November 2, 2026, a little more than 24 hours after the race started.
- Where
- In the Celtic Sea.
- Why
- The cause of the capsize was not yet known.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Violette Dorange and Romain Pilliard collided and had to turn back to repair their boats.
Anthony Marchand suffered a rudder problem.
More than 24 hours after the race started, Joyon capsized in the Celtic Sea.
A rescue operation was launched with the CROSS of Jobourg and British authorities.
- Age
- 70 years old
- Race
- Route du Rhum 2026
- Category
- Vintage Multi
- Location
- Celtic Sea
- Rescue coordination
- CROSS of Jobourg and British authorities
- Previous Route du Rhum win
- 2018 in the Ultim category
3 sources
Route du Rhum : Joyon qui chavire, le cauchemar de Dorange et Laperche qui fonce devant, ce qu’il faut retenir ce lundi
Route du Rhum : Francis Joyon chavire, une opération de sauvetage déclenchée
Le skipper Francis Joyon a été victime d'un chavirage sur la Route du Rhum, une opération de secours déclenchée
What people are saying
On site, the weather conditions are good, with 20 to 25 knots of wind and two-metre waves
He is not injured
turned over aboard his ORMA Océans