Sports · Other Sports · 19 hrs ago
115 sailors set off from Saint-Malo in the Route du Rhum
The 13th Route du Rhum began Sunday, as 115 solo sailors set off from near Saint-Malo in France for Guadeloupe.
The transatlantic race is held every four years between France and Guadeloupe.
Sailors compete in six types of boats, from older monohulls to modern, high-speed trimarans called Ultims.
The fastest boats could cross in six days, while slower boats may take nearly a month.
Thousands of spectators gathered at Cap Fréhel to watch the fleet pass, and Tom Laperche moved ahead of Armel Le Cléac'h after the boats reached the cape.
The race tests sailors and boats over a long solo crossing, with conditions and boat performance shaping how quickly they can finish.
The fastest sailors could challenge the crossing record of six days and 19 hours, set in 2022.
The 13th Route du Rhum started off Saint-Malo on Sunday, with 115 solo sailors heading across the Atlantic toward Guadeloupe.
The start took place at 13:02 in sunny weather, with light winds and a nearly flat sea.
The fleet included 11 women and boats in six categories, ranging from small monohulls to giant Ultim trimarans.
The fastest boats could cross in six days, while the slowest could take nearly a month.
Thousands of spectators gathered at Cap Fréhel to watch the boats pass.
- Who
- 115 solo sailors, including 11 women, took part.
- What
- The 13th Route du Rhum transatlantic sailing race began.
- When
- Sunday, 1 November 2026; the starting cannon fired at 13:02.
- Where
- The start was off Saint-Malo, France, with the fleet heading to Guadeloupe.
- Why
- The sailors were competing in a solo transatlantic sailing race held every four years.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The last categories, Class 40 and Vintage Mono, left Saint-Malo’s port and headed for the start area.
A cannon signalled the start for the sailors lined up across several kilometres.
The fleet passed Cap Fréhel as thousands of spectators watched.
- Edition
- 13th Route du Rhum
- Fleet
- 115 solo sailors, including 11 women
- Start time
- 13:02 on Sunday, 1 November 2026
- Start location
- Off Saint-Malo, France
- Destination
- Guadeloupe
- Conditions
- About 10 knots of wind and a nearly flat sea
9 sources
La Route du Rhum fait chavirer les Français
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"Voir les bateaux": la foule au Cap Fréhel pour le départ de la Route du Rhum
Place à la course après un départ de la Route du Rhum donné dans des conditions idéales : «Il est temps de retrouver notre bulle de solitaire»
Route du Rhum: Les géants des mers s'élancent vers la Guadeloupe
Route du Rhum : revivez le départ dans des conditions exceptionnelles et la prise de pouvoir de Tom Laperche
Route du Rhum en replay - Image du jour : la Route du Rhum
« C'est le plus beau parcours » : à quelques heures du départ de la Route du Rhum, l'effervescence à Saint-Malo
What people are saying
Il était sur ce même ponton au départ, donc ça remue pas mal, je vais faire en sorte que la fin soit un peu plus joyeuse
Les conditions sont top, il fait beau, je suis dans les meilleures conditions possibles pour partir et j’essaye de profiter au max. Le vent va nous pousser hors de la Manche cela va être super agréable