He has established himself as a key figure in offshore racing and the IMOCA class. Yet, Sam Goodchild, a brilliant all-rounder – he has sailed in the Figaro, Class40, Ocean Fifty, and Ultim classes – has only been competing full-time in IMOCAs for four years. He has already built up an impressive record, with finishes in The Ocean Race (2nd in 2023), the Course des Caps (1st in 2024), and the Transat Café L'Or (3rd in 2025). Becoming a Macif skipper last year, he has found his place in a team deeply affected by the death of Charlie Dalin. But the objective remains the same: to strive to stay at the highest level and continue the work begun by his illustrious predecessor. With a calm strength on land, Sam looks back on this very special year before discussing his connection with the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe and deciphering the race in the IMOCA class.
How are you and the Macif team experiencing this inevitably painful year following the disappearance of Charlie Dalin?
It's very special, of course. The team had a very strong and close relationship with Charlie. Since the last Vendée Globe, the team hasn't changed, and naturally, the emotion was very intense. What struck me is that the team has always shown great cohesion and solidarity, which explains many of their past successes. There's still the same high standard, the same desire to do well and to push ourselves further. We're all committed to living up to our ambitions and to continuing what Charlie started with the team for a long time to come.
You are about to compete in the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe for the 3rd time . What does this race mean to you?
It's a fantastic event, a major race within our sport's ecosystem. It's wonderful to bring together so many classes, so many people, to transform a sailing race into such a popular event. The Route du Rhum has left its mark on different eras throughout its history. I have very vivid memories of recent editions. Loïck Peyron's victory after replacing Armel Le Cléac'h at the last minute (2014), the duel to the very end between Francis Joyon and François Gabart (2018), Paul Meilhat's success after Alex Thomson ran aground on the rocks (2018 in the IMOCA class)...
On a personal level, you have a mixed history with this race, marked by a dismasting in 2018 (in Class40) and an injury-related retirement in 2022 (in Ocean Fifty)...
It's true I didn't get to experience much, but that's part of offshore racing, and while these experiences are certainly painful, they're useful for the future. Experience is invaluable in our sport; we're constantly learning, especially from setbacks. These two mishaps are part of my story, but they don't stop me from approaching the race with rigor and motivation. And my motivation is always to win!
"A race that sets the record straight"
You are once again the favorite for this race, as is often the case lately in IMOCA…
I'm proud to have this label. But I know that being a favorite doesn't mean anything. What matters most is winning. There's a race to be run, and we all know that a lot can happen between now and the finish.
Who are the favorites and the outsiders in IMOCA?
If I'm among them, I'm far from the only one. We also have to mention Jérémie Beyou (Charal), Boris Herrmann (Malizia), Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil), and Ambrogio Beccaria (Allagrande Mapei), who beat me in the Vendée Arctique. Corentin Horeau (MACSF) and Francesca Clapcich (11th Hour Racing) also have very good boats. Ultimately, it's a solo race, so that will level the playing field. It opens up the competition and the opportunities. No one can take the race lightly: we'll have to be wary of everyone!
"A regatta with something at stake almost every day!"
What are the challenges of the journey itself?
What's interesting is that there are no constraints, no marks to round. We have to get to Guadeloupe as quickly as possible, and that leaves our choices of routes open, in particular. In November, the conditions will be challenging, so we know we'll have to go all out from the start. Then, there are two main parts to the race: the first with the passage of fronts and autumn depressions, and the second with the trade winds all the way to the Antilles. It makes for a very intense regatta with something at stake almost every day. And you can never let up!
IMOCA boats are particularly demanding on the body, especially in harsh conditions. How does one adapt to them?
I think that everyone who has sailed around the world in an IMOCA has a greater capacity for adaptation than others. In the Route du Rhum, there's no time to get into the swing of things. You usually start in tough conditions right from the beginning. But it can also be decided there, so you have to be on the attack from the very first hours of the race.
On a more personal note, you give the impression of really enjoying every race…
Yes, that's one of my goals. If I want to perform well, I need to enjoy myself; they clearly go hand in hand. Of course, there are bound to be tougher moments than others at sea. The important thing is to persevere and work hard. But there's no denying that enjoyment is a very important factor. It counts for a lot in pushing yourself and never giving up!