Applications for the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe 2026 are open!
- Alexis LOTTON
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
In just over a year, on the last weekend of the 2026 All Saints' Day holidays, all eyes of Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe enthusiasts will be on Saint-Malo and the fleet of sailors who will be taking the start of the 13th edition of the most legendary solo transatlantic race. A true ocean sprint, this unique event brings together the world's elite in ocean racing: the biggest names in the discipline, competing on the fastest and most spectacular boats ever designed. An exceptional event where, in just a few days, a rare sporting and human intensity is played out in the heart of the Atlantic. But before the start on the water, another race begins today with the publication of the Notice of Race, which officially opens applications for the next Rhum!
The notice of race has been published and applications are open!
Written by the organizing company OC Sport Pen Duick, the Notice of Race sets the framework and establishes the essential rules for the next edition of the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe. Number of boats, distribution by category, selection criteria, registration procedures, provisional program…. All the key sporting rules are now accessible to all skippers wishing to apply for the 13th edition.
The biggest ocean sprint in the world, this legendary event has brought together all the driving forces of ocean racing for over 40 years: the IMOCAs, the flagship of modern ocean racing, the flying giants of the Ultim class, true Formula 1 of the seas, revealed by their recent solo round the world race during the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE-Brest, the Ocean Fifty, which is booming and increasingly popular, not forgetting the Class40s, whose vitality and dynamism never cease to impress.
Since its creation, the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe has always managed to maintain a fair balance: offering a platform for the expression of performance and the most innovative boats while leaving room for amateur sailors capable of writing great stories themselves.
A significant new feature for this Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe 2026, the Rhum Mono and Rhum Multi categories will give way to the Vintage Mono (long monohulls at least 39 feet long) and the Vintage Multi (multihulls between 38 and 79 feet long). This change will notably see the return of the Orma trimarans, which have been the stars of the race for many years. These new selection criteria reflect OC Sport Pen Duick's strong desire to promote, through reunions with legendary boats or sailors who have made their mark on history, mixed with more recent and eco-designed sailboats, the material heritage of the Rhum and the very soul of this transatlantic race of freedom.
This unique blend creates the finest line-up in modern ocean sailing, with the promise of a spectacle of rare intensity. In 2026, the 13th edition will confirm more than ever its status as the absolute benchmark, bringing together the sailing stars of today and tomorrow to compete in the most legendary of solo transatlantic races. This notice of race does not yet specify the start date of the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe, which depends on the 2026-27 school holiday calendar, which has not yet been officially announced by the Ministry of National Education. One thing is certain: the start will be given on the last Sunday of the All Saints' Day holidays.
Category breakdowns revealed
For the 2026 edition of La Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe, the limit has been set at 117 boats divided between the different classes. This number, deliberately more selective than in the past, reflects the desire to ensure an exceptional sporting field. Access to the event is now granted after a reinforced selection process, a guarantee of quality and representativeness for this extraordinary event.
As specified in the notice of race, the organizer reserves the right to invite additional boats in one or other of the categories; these are part of the approach to promoting the heritage of the race or representing the territory of start or finish.
Applications are now open for any project wishing to be part of the “Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe 2026” adventure!
