Five reasons not to miss the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe 2026
- May 19
- 4 min read
For the 13th time in its history, the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe, which sets sail on Sunday, November 1st, promises to be the unmissable event for the sailing world. It will bring together the best skippers in the world, the most innovative boats, and others that have made their mark on history. And the festivities promise to reach new heights!
…Because the legends of today and tomorrow will be on the starting line
Every four years, the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe brings together the best in offshore racing. A glance at the list of winners proves it: Florence Arthaud, Laurent Bourgnon, Franck Cammas, Loïck Peyron, and Charles Caudrelier are among those who have triumphed. This year, the top skippers are once again present. The Ultim class demonstrates this in its own way by bringing together the defending champion, Charles Caudrelier (Edmond de Rothschild), the holder of the Jules Verne Trophy (Thomas Coville), and the two most recent winners of the Transat Café L'Or (Tom Laperche and Armel Le Cléac'h). In the IMOCA class, Sam Goodchild, who replaced Charlie Dalin at Macif, will face the defending champion, Thomas Ruyant (TR Racing), the winner of the last Transat Café L'Or, Jérémie Beyou, and a host of other contenders. All the Ocean Fifty boats are present, and around fifteen competitors are aiming for victory in the Class40! There will also be some serious competition in the Vintage Multi class, with four ORMA boats on the starting line – these legendary vessels skippered by Francis Joyon (Pour les Océans), winner of the 2018 Route du Rhum, Damien Seguin (ARKEA - Handicap International), Éric Péron (French Touch Oceans Club), and Gilles Lamiré (Groupe GCA). Between the established skippers and the younger generation dreaming of reaching the top, there will be fierce competition – and top-level sailing – at every level!
… Because it contains the most innovative boats in offshore racing
Charles Caudrelier and Thomas Ruyant have more in common than just lining up again at the start of the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe, four years after their victory. Both will be competing in their first major race aboard a new boat. The Ultim Edmond de Rothschild was launched at the beginning of the year, and the IMOCA TR Racing will be launched at the end of June. Admittedly, a period of testing and development is always necessary to withstand the challenges of the race and aim for victory. Nevertheless, these boats allow us to assess the best that naval architects and design offices are producing. The innovative position of the foils and the T-shaped daggerboards of Gitana 18 will be particularly scrutinized by purists. In the Class40 class as well, several competitors have launched their boats this year, including Alexis Loison (Réel), Axel Tréhin (To be announced), and Lucas Rosetti (Maccaferri Futura).
…Because there will also be legendary boats
Alongside these boats, which are showcases of cutting-edge technology and innovation, other vessels will also attract attention. The Vintage Mono and Multi categories offer the opportunity to discover or rediscover boats from yesteryear, meticulously prepared to be 100% ready for the starting gun. The best example is the Orma fleet, these multihulls that defined the golden age of offshore racing in the 1990s. Six of them will be on the starting line, with some truly exceptional sailors at the helm, such as Francis Joyon (Pour les Océans), winner of the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe in 2018, Damien Seguin (ARKEA – Handicap International), Éric Péron (French Touch Oceans Club), and Gilles Lamiré (Groupe GCA).
… Because it is part of a particularly dense history
With each edition, the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe has established itself as an essential step for any sailor eager to make history and enter the legend of offshore racing. It's an opportunity to gain a clear understanding of the highest level of the sport and to honor the most accomplished skippers. This race became legendary from its very first edition in 1978, where only 98 seconds separated the top two finishers, Mike Birch and Michel Malinovsky. It is also the greatest race to have crowned a woman (Florence Arthaud in 1990). Its demanding nature is evident in the difficulty of winning twice consecutively, a feat achieved only by Laurent Bourgnon in the multihull class (in 1994 and 1998). As if by a twist of fate, his son Basile will be one of the faces to watch in this edition. At 24, the skipper of Edenred will be a serious contender for victory in the fiercely contested Ocean Fifty race. Another name that will delight sailing enthusiasts is Tanguy Caradec. He, who will set sail aboard a Vintage Mono (Eurvad), is following in the footsteps of his father, who tragically died during the 1986 edition.
… Because the party will be even bigger
In addition to discovering the boats, experiencing the pre-race atmosphere, and witnessing the final preparations, the public attending the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe will have the opportunity to enjoy an unparalleled celebration. The race village will be open from Tuesday, October 20th to Sunday, November 1st. Four years ago, 1.5 million visitors flocked to Saint-Malo, notably to enjoy the various activities within the 70,000 m² village. For this new edition, the village will once again be free and open to all, offering entertainment, the chance to discover the richness of the region, and a unique experience.
A large crowd is also expected during the spectacular passage through the locks, which drew thousands of people during the previous edition. Meanwhile, the festivities will continue each evening throughout the walled city of Saint-Malo. This year, a new program will offer a wide range of entertainment in the historic center. In short, the aroma of rum will not be confined to the village alone but will permeate the entire Saint-Malo area thanks to this innovative approach. This festive spirit will extend across the Atlantic to celebrate the sailors upon their arrival. Four years ago, more than 300,000 visitors flocked to the village in Guadeloupe.
