Route du Rhum Sees Early Drama, Dismastings, and Italian Leaders

The thirteenth edition of the Route du Rhum solo transatlantic race experienced a dramatic opening stretch following its departure from Saint-Malo, featuring intense duels, vessel collisions, and severe equipment failures across multiple divisions.

Barely twenty-four hours after the start, skipper Ambrogio Beccaria seized the lead in the IMOCA fleet aboard Allagrande Mapei, engaging in a fierce battle with Sam Goodchild. Beccaria adopted an aggressive strategy right from the beginning, explaining that he wanted to push forward because he felt confident despite the challenging conditions.

The race quickly proved punishing for the fleet as winds intensified faster than anticipated, creating choppy cross-seas that complicated maneuvers. Among the Class40 competitors, Italian sailors maintained a strong presence near the top, with Luca Rosetti, Matteo Sericano, and Andrea Fornaro holding fourth, sixth, and seventh positions respectively.

However, the difficult conditions triggered notable casualties and technical setbacks throughout the fleet. Class40 competitor Quentin Le Nabour suffered a dismasting while running inside the top five positions, though he remained uninjured and secured his boat to head toward the nearest port.

Additional drama unfolded when IMOCA skipper Violette Dorange and trimarano captain Romain Pilliard collided shortly after passing the Cap Fréhel buoy. The heavy impact forced both vessels to seek repairs in port. Dorange stated that it was a racing incident, noting that she had no time to adjust her settings after Pilliard moved into her path, but confirmed her determination to reach Guadeloupe.

In the Vintage Multi category, 70-year-old French sailor Francis Joyon capsized his historic trimarano while leading the division, prompting the launch of rescue operations. Organizers confirmed that Joyon emerged unhurt from the accident.

Meanwhile, Tom Laperche maintained his lead at the front of the Ultim division aboard SVR Lazartigue, staying ahead of Armel Le Cléac'h and Charles Caudrelier. As the entire fleet approaches a complex meteorological transition zone near the Azores, competitors must weigh strategic routing options that could dramatically reshape the standings in the coming days.