Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe: who will succeed Francis Joyon?

Francis Joyon, ultimate category, “Idec sport”

At 66, the title holder of the Route du Rhum in Ultim, these multihulls over 30 meters, is committed to the eighth time on the test, 32 years after its first participation. After an incredible finish, he won the 11th edition of the Route du Rhum
, seven minutes and eight seconds only on his opponent François Gabart. The skipper from Locmariaquer (Morbihan) added a new trophy to his list in 2018. Holder for almost 12 years (2004-2016) around the world sailing record, winner of the Jules Verne Trophy in 2017. He completed his crewed sailing trip in 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds. The record still stands.

François Gabart, Ultim category, “SVR-Lazartigue”

In November 2018, François Gabart, 39, followed Francis Joyon by only seven minutes in Pointe-à-Pitre. The sailor from Charente had faced technical problems during the previous edition which had handicapped the MACIF trimaran: the boat sailed without a starboard foil and without a port rudder for several days. In 2017, he smashed the solo world record in 42d 16h 40min 35s. In 2021 he finished 2nd in the Transat Jacques Vabre aboard his new trimaran SVR-Lazartigue
, designed by his company, MerConcept (founded in 2006, mission-driven company since 2020). The dolphin of the last edition of the Route du Rhum was very nearly not allowed to start in Saint Malo. It was accused by the Ultim class of breaches of safety rules.

Thomas Coville, in the Ultim category, Sodebo Ultim 3

The 54-year-old sailor is on his 7th participation in the Route du Rhum. A skipper working alongside Sodebo since 1999, Thomas Coville has been sailing at the highest level since his adolescence. From the mini 6.50 to the big record trimarans, via the America’s Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race, the Morbihannais is one of the most eclectic skippers of his generation. The multihull remains his common thread, his adrenaline, his universe. In 2014, he had to give up on the first night after a collision with a freighter.

Armel Le Cléac’h, in the Ultim category with Maxi Banque Populaire XI

The 45-year-old Breton will take the start of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe for the 4th time, on board for this edition of the Maxi Banque Populaire XI. After two participations in 2006 and 2010 (where he ranked second), Armel Le Cléac’h had to forfeit in 2014, injured in the hand. In 2018, it capsized in 2018 off the Azores. IMOCA world champion, double French champion in solo offshore racing, he is one of the rare sailors who have won the Solitaire du Figaro three times. He is the only skipper to count three podiums in the Vendée Globe: 2nd in 2008 and 2012, he won in 2016. Armel still holds the record for this round the world with a time of 74 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes and 46 seconds.

Charles Caudrelier, in the Ultim category, at the helm of the maxi trimaran “Edmond de Rotschild”

Despite a career spanning more than 20 years, as rich as it is varied, punctuated by prestigious victories whether solo or with a crew, in a monohull or a multihull, in France or internationally, the Finistérien will take part in his very first Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe. At the helm of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, pioneer of this new generation and one of the most successful boats, Charles Caudrelier will be the favourite.

Yves Le Blevec, in the Ultim category on “Actual ultim 3”

When the now 57-year-old sailor moved to La Trinité-sur-Mer in 1986, he learned the trade of shipbuilder. But his dream was to sail. The skipper won his first major victory in 2007, solo, in the Mini Transat. It’s a turning point in his career as a skipper. Beginning in Mini 6.50, then in Figaro Bénéteau, to evolve since 2015 in Ultim, passing through six years of Multi 50, Yves has climbed all the levels and is part of the family of sailors in the giant trimaran class.

Arthur Le Vaillant, in the Ultim category, on “Better”

This is the second participation of this 34-year-old sailor from La Rochelle. The skipper, very committed to the environment, finished 4th in Class40 in 2018. During the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2017, he finished 2nd.

Romain Pillard, ultimately on Use It Again! by Extia

The sailor is taking part in his second Route du Rhum. The last time was in 2018 aboard a giant of the seas. He had finished 4th. The skipper took part in the single-handed French championship with the Solitaire du Figaro in 2000 and 2001. He will then sail as a crew member on IMOCAs, in particular with Ellen Mac Arthur. Committed to preserving the ocean and raising awareness of the importance of changing our consumption habits, he launched the Use It Again! in 2016 by recovering a legendary trimaran (Ellen MacArthur’s former boat) from an abandoned state. In 2022, he embarked on an Upside-Down Around the World aboard his Trimaran Use It Again! by Extia.