This is the most represented class in the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe and a microcosm of everything that makes up the race's DNA. Renowned skippers, professionals, and amateurs alike compete aboard boats that sometimes differ in style (scows and pointus). All aspire to withstand the challenging conditions at the end of the year and cross the Atlantic Ocean to experience the joy of arriving in Guadeloupe. The race for victory, particularly unpredictable, will determine the successor to Yoann Richomme, winner of the last two editions.
Images return in fragments: the memory of a sky finally clearing, the sun shining brightly on the water, and the Class40 fleet setting off. Four years ago, they had to wait for a break in the weather, three extra days spent in Saint-Malo before they could finally start. The battle was fierce: on the other side of the Atlantic, the first seven boats arrived within 20 hours!
This year, the Class40s will once again be the most represented class on the starting line. A total of 49 skippers will be competing, representing the diverse profiles that make this class so rich. Amateur skippers share the spotlight with professionals, reflecting the unique character of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe. And, as is often the case in Class40, the contenders for overall victory and a top finish are numerous.
"It's a class where there is both quantity and quality" (Alexis Loison, skipper of Groupe Reel)
The stakes are high this year, as the class will have a new winner. Yoann Richomme having won the last two editions (2018 and 2022), the race to succeed him is now on. Two skippers are the favorites: Guillaume Pirouelle (Sogestran Seafrigo) and Corentin Douguet (SNSM, Faites un don!). "They've shared the most prestigious victories for the past two seasons; I see them as the clear favorites," says Alexis Loison (Groupe Réel).
Guillaume Pirouelle won the Transat Café L'Or (2025), the Trin40, and the CIC Normandy Channel this season. Corentin Douguet, for his part, triumphed in the CIC Normandy Channel Race, the Rolex Fastnet Race (2025), and the Dhream Cup (2026). Alongside them, many others could realistically contend for the overall victory or a top finish. "There are a significant number of outsiders," confirms Alexis. This list includes Pep Costa (VSF Sports, winner of the Round Ireland Yacht Channel), Quentin Le Nabour (Bleu Blanc Planète Location, 2nd in the 40 Malouine), and Fabien Delahaye (Legallais, winner of the Sables Horta). Ian Lipinski (Crédit Mutuel), Axel Tréhin, Achille Nebout (Amarris), and Alexis Loison (Groupe Réel), recent winner of the 40th Malouine, are also contenders. "It's going to be a real battle, and I'm really looking forward to it," continues Alexis. "It's a class with a very high level of competition. In short, there's both quantity and quality!"
The sharpshooters, the other "match within the match"
In addition to the overall victory, those familiar with the class will be keeping a close eye on the "battle within the battle" between the traditional boats. While the majority of the fleet now sails scows (with a wide, rounded bow), about ten boats are competing aboard these traditional boats. This is the case for Mathieu Claveau (Phare 40), based in the Mediterranean. "I really appreciate the accessibility offered by the traditional boats," he says. "It's fantastic to be able to compete in such a prestigious race as the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe on our own boats."
He draws a parallel with the situation in the IMOCA class, where older boats with straight keels sail alongside foiling boats. "Even if we don't have the same budgets as the scows, we have good boats that allow us to have some great races," Mathieu points out. The competition promises to be fierce among the top-of-the-range boats, especially against Loïc Féquet and Djamila Tassin (Magenta).
Four Guadeloupeans in the adventure
Also on the Class40 starting line is former Vendée Globe winner Vincent Riou (Pierreval-Fondation GoodPlanet), as well as numerous international skippers. For the first time, a Czech skipper (Milan Koláček) will be at the starting line of the Route du Tarn - Destination Guadeloupe. Italians Andrea Fornaro (Influence2), Luca Rosetti (Maccaferri Futura), and Marco Guerra (Influence), Australian Henry Rupert, Spaniards Aina Bauza and Pep Costa (VSF Sports), Irishwoman Pamela Lee, and Belgian Jonas Gerkens (Belgium Ocean Racing – Curium) will also be competing.
It's also worth noting that this class includes the majority of Guadeloupean skippers competing in the race, such as Kéni Piperol, Ulysse Pozzoli (Earwen), Rodolphe Sepho (Rêve de large), and Yannick Rebuffat (Mussolo40). These skippers are particularly popular on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, where the Guadeloupeans are eager to celebrate their arrival in style.