Route du Rhum 2026: Setting Sail Across the Atlantic in a Legendary Race

A major event on the international sailing calendar, the Route du Rhum has captivated sailors and sailing enthusiasts around the world for nearly 50 years. From Saint-Malo in Brittany to Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe, this solo transatlantic race has become a true legend, combining human endurance, technological innovation and maritime adventure. First held in 1978, the Route du Rhum quickly established itself as a leading offshore sailing event, with a course linking the Breton coast to the waters of the Caribbean.

For the 2026 edition, competitors will race in several classes, including ULTIM, OCEAN FIFTY, IMOCA and CLASS40. Each class has its own technical characteristics, requiring skippers to make crucial strategic decisions. The course covers approximately 3,542 nautical miles across the North Atlantic, sailed single-handed and without stopping. It is a demanding crossing shaped by changing winds, unpredictable weather conditions and tropical squalls. Here, endurance, boat-handling skills and the ability to make the right decisions can make all the difference.

Over the years, the Route du Rhum has produced some of the most memorable chapters in sailing history. Florence Arthaud, the first woman to win the race in 1990, along with Marc Pajot, Mike Birch, Francis Joyon, Loïck Peyron, Philippe Poupon and Charles Caudrelier, winner of the 2022 edition, are among the great names who have left their mark on the race’s history.

For this latest edition, our photographer Bruno Vandevelde takes you to the heart of the action. Through his lens, discover the unique atmosphere of the 2026 Route du Rhum start: the boats preparing to take on the Atlantic, the buzz along the pontoons and the anticipation building ahead of the big departure (Feel free to browse our photo library).