Although he was eager to head out to sea and get his teeth into the race, Charles Caudrelier remained clear-headed and made no secret of his desire to set sail with care this morning as he left Saint Malo. This was especially true given the two gybes on the programme off the Cap Fréhel gate and the 8 knots of NE’ly on the line, which were not exactly the dream scenario for a boat like Gitana 18 designed for sailing offshore in breezy conditions.
The seventh Ultim to negotiate the Cap Fréhel gate, the last course mark before Guadeloupe, Charles Caudrelier found himself in a rather unfamiliar position for him.
01.11.2026
Game on for the 13th edition of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe!.
A day and an atmosphere of major firsts coloured play this Sunday morning in Saint Malo. Indeed, for reigning champion Charles Caudrelier and the new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, this Route du Rhum start is synonymous with diving in at the deep end of competition, just eight months after the launch of the maxi-trimaran. A glorious sunshine and a light NE’ly breeze accompanied the 115 solo sailors competing in this 13th edition as they set a course for Pointe-à-Pitre, the finishing line of this legendary transatlantic race.
A careful start and light airs
Manoeuvres and elbow grease
“I’m really going to get to grips with the boat during this Route du Rhum. I knew Gitana 17 like the back of my hand. I was familiar with every little sound on her and every little tweak was intuitive. It’s a whole different story this time around but I’m keen to be alone with her on the racetrack. We’re going to get to know one another!”
At 5:00 pm, just four hours after the start off the ramparts of Saint Malo, the first large multihulls were powering along downwind at high speed towards the north-west tip of Brittany. As forecast, the first part of the race, as far as the Azores, is shaping up to be an epic top-flight sprint.
