Route du Rhum 2026: the big start given in excitement

Sunday November 1, there were 115 skippers on the starting line of the Route du Rhum 2026, including only 11 women. Professionals and amateurs together for a transatlantic sprint. In the front row at the tip of Grouin (Ille-et-Vilaine), the stands are full for a festival of binoculars and zoom lenses in front of the Malouin armada. “What impresses me is the fact that they are all alone on their boat and they are going to cross the Atlantic, sometimes in difficult conditions,” breathes an admiring man.

In addition to tourists, there were also sailing enthusiasts and supporters. “We made the banner for Violette (Dorange) who had arrived from the Vendée Globe. We hope that she sees it from here and that it sends her lots of strength,” confides a fan. “They are going to leave for a few days, they are going to cross oceans and they are going to arrive in Guadeloupe where they are going to be welcomed by a great population too,” says a woman.

Sometimes heartbreaking goodbyes

Saturday October 31 in the evening, everyone took part in a final moment of celebration on the pontoons of Saint-Malo, with thousands of onlookers. Last word to loved ones and the public. “I know it’s hard, but we’re going to have to cut the cord. We’re going to meet again,” chants a skipper. Each sailor took advantage of the crowds before the swell of the open sea. “It's nice this evening, there are lots of people. And there you have it, we're ready, serene, so we're taking advantage of this to take all the positive energy for the next 10 days,” said Anne-Claire Le Berre, skipper UpWind by MerConcept.

Early this Sunday morning, Tanguy Caradec also greets his family. He will run in tribute to his father, who disappeared at sea just 40 years ago. “We have a mixture of excitement before the start, especially in conditions like this, and a little pang in the heart. So there are still a lot of emotions before casting off,” emphasizes skipper Eurvad. The fastest boats are expected in 6 or 7 days in Pointe-à-Pitre. For others, it will be almost a month of crossing.