THE ROUTE DU RHUM 2026
THE ROUTE DU RHUM 2026
A Solo Offshore Classic
The 13th edition of the Route du Rhum will welcome an impressive fleet of 115 boats to sail solo across the Atlantic. North Sails has the privilege of working with a huge number of the skippers and their teams as they prepare and compete in this mythical offshore classic.
Created in 1978, the now legendary Route du Rhum is held every four years and is celebrated for the diversity of its boat classes and its unique mix of professionals, leading figures in sailing, and amateur sailors.
This edition welcomes a fleet of six classes, from the cutting-edge foiling Ultims to the stunning vintage monohulls. 11 nationalities are represented, dominated by French sailors, with 11 women lining up single-handed to compete against 104 men. The youngest skipper, Titouan Pilliard, comes in at just 20 years, with the eldest, Charlie Capelle, racing solo at the venerable age of 71.
The Route du Rhum is also one of France’s most popular sporting events, drawing millions to the pontoons of Saint-Malo ahead of the race start, which is broadcast live on national television, and even more following the action online.
With so many racing teams choosing to work with North Sails to develop their sail plans, the North Sails loft in Lorient, France, plays a critical role as the world’s best solo sailors prepare for the Route du Rhum.
We speak with the sail experts at the heart of the offshore sailing hub in Brittany who have spent the last few years and months working closely with the teams to make sure they have can achieve their ambitions in the race.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2026
THE START
The start of the Route du Rhum is one of sailing’s most iconic spectacles. Against the backdrop of Saint-Malo’s historic harbor, solo skippers set off across the Atlantic, cheered on by huge crowds lining the docks, ramparts and coastline. For the sailors, it’s the culmination of years of preparation. For spectators, it’s an unforgettable send-off.
The start of the Route du Rhum is one of sailing’s most iconic spectacles. Against the backdrop of Saint-Malo’s historic harbor, solo skippers set off across the Atlantic, cheered on by huge crowds lining the docks, ramparts and coastline. For the sailors, it’s the culmination of years of preparation. For spectators, it’s an unforgettable send-off.
3,542 NAUTICAL MILES, SAINT-MALO TO POINTE-À-PITRE, GUADELOUPE
THE COURSE
Every skipper shares the same start and finish line, but the boats, speeds and tactical choices in between can be dramatically different. The race is as much a test of navigation and endurance as it is of raw sailing performance.
Every skipper shares the same start and finish line, but the boats, speeds and tactical choices in between can be dramatically different. The race is as much a test of navigation and endurance as it is of raw sailing performance.
115 BOATS ACROSS SIX CLASSES
THE FLEET
From 32-meter Ultim trimarans to boats with decades of race history, the Route du Rhum fleet is one of the most diverse in offshore racing. This year’s line-up includes 8 Ultims, 22 IMOCAs, 10 Ocean Fiftys and 49 Class40s, the largest class on the start line, along with 13 Vintage Monos and 13 Vintage Multis. Across every class, North Sails powers a large share of the fleet, a reflection of the trust the offshore racing community places in our sails when it matters most.
From 32-meter Ultim trimarans to boats with decades of race history, the Route du Rhum fleet is one of the most diverse in offshore racing. This year’s line-up includes 8 Ultims, 22 IMOCAs, 10 Ocean Fiftys and 49 Class40s, the largest class on the start line, along with 13 Vintage Monos and 13 Vintage Multis. Across every class, North Sails powers a large share of the fleet, a reflection of the trust the offshore racing community places in our sails when it matters most.
6 DAYS, 19 HOURS, 47 MINUTES, 25 SECONDS
RECORD
The current race record was set in 2022 by Charles Caudrelier aboard the 32-meter Ultim trimaran Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, in his first-ever Route du Rhum. Caudrelier crossed the finish line in Pointe-à-Pitre more than 18 hours faster than the previous record and raced with a full North Sails 3Di inventory. This year, Caudrelier returns aboard a brand-new Ultim, the Gitana 18, once again powered by North Sails, and the question is whether anyone can beat the mark he set four years ago.
📸 © Eloi Stichelbaut / polaRYSE / Gitana SA
The current race record was set in 2022 by Charles Caudrelier aboard the 32-meter Ultim trimaran Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, in his first-ever Route du Rhum. Caudrelier crossed the finish line in Pointe-à-Pitre more than 18 hours faster than the previous record and raced with a full North Sails 3Di inventory. This year, Caudrelier returns aboard a brand-new Ultim, the Gitana 18, once again powered by North Sails, and the question is whether anyone can beat the mark he set four years ago.
📸 © Eloi Stichelbaut / polaRYSE / Gitana SA
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
"For me, good sails for offshore racing, and especially for an event like the Vendée Globe, are sails that are durable, hold their shape well, and maintain strong performance over time. With North Sails, the sail shapes have been studied and refined extensively across many boats, and I have a lot of confidence in the work that Pierre, Mathieu, and I have done together."
VIOLETTE DORANGE,
SKIPPER
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
"This year especially, we worked closely with Pierre Brasseur at North Sails Lorient. Together, we thought about the sails and new sail shapes to redistribute the volume of the sails and the ranges of the spinnakers, whether that meant going a little bigger or flatter. It was a lot of work over two years, and we were very thorough with everything that could give us performance. That gives me a lot of confidence."
PEP COSTA
SKIPPER