Since 1978 and the very first edition of the classic solo Transatlantic race from Saint Malo to Guadeloupe, now known as the Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe, there has always been a great appeal to international, non-French skippers and increasingly a global audience.
That the first ever edition was so narrowly won by legendary Canadian skipper Mike Birch has ensured that each edition has seen a solid proportion of non-French skippers competing across the different classes.And the race’s unique mix of sporting performances and constantly falling records as well as its constant appeal to ‘ordinary’ adventurers – sailors with a ‘day job’ who want can take on the Atlantic – means the Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe is followed in dozens of different countries across the world.
Over the 12 editions raced so far there have been many landmark performances which have continued to inspire others to take on this race and which have engaged the media at all levels. After that fairytale Mike Birch win by 98 seconds – he was third four years later - Laurent Bourgnon carried the Swiss flag to two successive victories in 1994 and 1998. International pioneers at the time included American adventurer Steve Fosset who was fifth in 1998 just ahead of Canada’s Gerry Roufs.
IMOCA grows
The growth of the Vendée Globe and the IMOCA class, and then Class40 has led to more and more and more international non-French entries. After taking 16th in her first Route du Rhum, first 50 foot monohull as a 22 year old in 1998, Ellen MacArthur followed up her second place on the 2000-1 Vendée Globe by winning the IMOCA class into Pointe-à-Pitre. This was a good race for British sailors as Mike Golding took second place behind Ellen and Australian Nick Moloney her stablemate from her Offshore Challenges company (which became part of OC Pen Duick, the enterprise which owns and runs the Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe) won the 50 foot monohull class. In the early days of Class 40 in 2006 Brit Phil Sharp took victory ahead of compatriot Ian Munslow in fourth.
One of the most outstanding international victories came in 2014 when Spain’s Alex Pella won Class 40 outright on a very fast boat all Spanish boat Tales, designed by Marcelino Botin and built in Castellon. This was an important victory which in part inspired young Spanish sailors to dream and get on the pathway.
The 2018 Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe saw several memorable international performances. Brit Alex Thomson looked to be set for his first major IMOCA victory after building a substantial 200 nautical miles lead but at 75 miles from the finish when he was taking his final nap before the climb round the island he slept through his alarms and ended up on a rock. Because he had to use his engine he received a 24 hours penalty he dropped to third. Nonetheless it was a decent race for Germany’s Boris Herrmann in fifth and Switzerland’s Alan Roura in seventh in the 15 boat IMOCA fleet. And in with a third in Class40 Phil Sharp scored his second podium on the ‘Rhum’. British born Luke Berry was sixth and Jack Trigger eighth.
But 2022 really saw the Italians arrive in force, especially in Class 40. Fresh from winning the 2019 Mini-Transat Ambrogio Beccaria was at the vanguard of a posse of strong Italians in Class40. With his all-Italian Musa 40 he took second behind Yoann Richomme, his first major success ahead of winning the two handed Transat to Martinique in 2023 and the Transat into New York in 2024. Alberto Bona finished eighth.
Forza Italia!
With 18 entries out of 115 starters this 13th edition stands out for how the Italian force has grown, Beccaria – winner of this Spring’s Vendée Arctique now among the IMOCA favourites – on Allagrande Mapei. His successes since Mini days has ignited a big media interest in offshore racing. This year, including friend and rival Italian born Francesca Clapcich who is half American, there are six Italians in the 116 strong fleet, the biggest representation ever. Andrea Fornara (Influence 2), Marco Guerra (Imagine Act Socomec) Luca Rossetti (Macaferri Futura) and Matteo Serricano (Lucente) all have great programmes.
British chances of a win are high but particpation at a low
While Italian sailing is on the crest of a wave, the passionate following seems to span all arenas from the iconic Luna Rossa in the America’s Cup, to Maxi yachts, the Olympics, to offshore and ocean racing and records, consider, in passing, Ferrari Hypersail set to take on the French Ultims for the Trophée Jules Verne, British representation in the Route du Rhum fleet is at a low.
Sam Goodchild is British born and one of the IMOCA favourites but he moved to France 15 years ago to embed himself in the solo sailing culture and has progressed step by step through the classes to be selected to a potentially winning programme. But Goodchild’s immediate contemporaries who came through the Artemis Academy in the foundation Figaro class at the same time have so far not been able to find financial support in the current economic climate.
Will Harris is one of the top iMOCA skippers in his own right, skippering and co-skippering for Boris Herrmann’s Malizia team as well as 11th Hour Racing on which he and Clapcich took second on the two handed race last year. “Will is without doubt one of the very best skippers in the IMOCA class now. He could take this boat (Malizia 4) and win this race next week. It would be so good for him to have a programme of his own. He deserves it.” Boris Herrmann said this week.
Harris suggests, “I think it comes down to the age old question of backing and the visibility of offshore racing in the UK right now. We have to be getting more British companies seeing the values of offshore racing and what it can bring them. In France offshore races like this are on the national news all the time. And in Britain the interest has always followed big successes since the early days of pioneers like Sir Robin Knox Johnston and most recently Ellen MacArthur and Alex Thomson. That needs to happen again, a standard bearer needs to be making headline stories again. But I am very hopeful of getting to the 2028 Vendée Globe start.”
Artemis Academy alumni looking for funding for their own projects include Alan Roberts who is in Saint Malo with Anthony Marchand’s Ultim Actual and Jackson Boutell who is running a grand prix super maxi in the Med.
Meanwhile Britain’s two times Vendée Globe racer Pip Hare – who would normally be here – is fighting financial headwinds, another skipper trying to find a new funding package, as many of her French counterparts are.
Britain is certainly missing a flag bearer, a leading light to engage and inspire sponsors and media interest. Alex Thomson was a charismatic hero who made headlines and his programme was of course leveraged around the world by a premium global brand. The 2008 Vendée Globe saw seven British skippers on the start line at a time when Ellen was one of the highest profile sportswomen in the world.
“Sponsorship so often is a case of meeting the right person at the right time and engaging them. I brought Aviva to the Route du Rhum and they ‘got it’. There are still opportunities out there.” Record breaker Dee Caffari said this week in Saint Malo.
If the British campaigns are at a low ebb, internationally the Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe is very strong. Germany’s Boris Herrmann is followed and known by a huge public on his Malizia campaigns and has one of the most impressive sponsorship bases. Japan’s Massa Suzuki has a very good chance of becoming the first Japanese skipper to finish in the IMOCA class on this race.
Belgium growing
Belgium is building steadily on the back of Jonas Gerckens (Belgium Ocean Racing Curum) long time programmes and now has three Class40 entries and one in Vintage Mono. Spain has two, Catalan Pep Costa who is among the top seeds in Class 40 and up and coming Aina Bauza from Mallorca, both on their first Route du Rhums.
Ironically whilst British sailors haven’t managed to engage new support – private individuals or companies - the Czech republic’s Milan Kolacek is doing relatively well with a brand new, freshly launched Class 40.
It has not been easy for Ireland’s Pamela Lee (Empowher) who gathered enough last minute support with fund raisers at home to complement her funding from DFDS and other sponsors. And from Australia set to start his second Route du Rhum is Rupert Henry who is self-funded. “My aim is to be the first old guy who pays his own bills.” Smiles the Sydneysider.
International, non-French skippers on the 13th Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe IMOCA
Ambrogia Beccaria (Allagrande Mapei) ITA
Francesca Clapcich (11th Hour Racing) ITA/USA
Sam Goodchild (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) GBR/FRA
Boris Herrmann (Malizia 4) GER Massa Suzuki (Milai Furuno) JPN
CLASS 40 Aïna Bauza (Alice Milliat Foundation) ESP Pep Costa (VSF Sports) ESP Andrea Fornaro (Influence 2) ITA
Marco Guerra (Imagin’Act Socomec) ITA Matteo Sericano (Lucente) ITA Luca Rosetti (Macaferri Futura) ITA Jonas Gerckens (Belgium Ocean Racing Curum) BEL Djmella Tassin (Magenta) BEL Gaetan Thomas (Barco Bresil) BEL Milan Kolacek (Inland Roots Ocean Soul) CZE Pamela Lee (#Empowher) IRL Rupert Henry (Eora) AUS
VINTAGE MONO Amaury Jamblinne de Meux (Tagaroa) BEL