Is the Route du Rhum 2022 probably the most spectacular offshore race fleet but? Helen Fretter takes a more in-depth have a look at the entries and the way the race would possibly unfold
This Sunday, 6 November 2022, 138 solo skippers will take to a single, 3-mile startline off St Malo for the Route du Rhum 2022 single-handed transatlantic race – the twelfth operating of the occasion.
Is it probably the most spectacular gathering of offshore rivals ever seen? It will be a daring declare to say that this 12 months’s Route du Rhum is the best offshore race ever, however with regards to power, depth, and technological developments, each single fleet within the Route du Rhum 2022 is so distinctive that possibly, simply possibly, it deserves that accolade.
The opposite motive the Route du Rhum is so particular shouldn’t be solely due to who has gathered this 12 months, however due to who has gone earlier than. Because it’s first operating in 1978, gained by Canadian Mike Birch, who recently passed away, its trophies have been affected by the names of legends – Bruno Peyron, Florence Arthaud, Ellen MacArthur, Yves Parlier, Michel Dejoyeaux, Franck Cammas, Loick Peyron… to win a category within the Route du Rhum is to take your home among the many true elite.
Mike Birch helming Fujichrome forward of the 1990 Route du Rhum. Picture by Nicolas LE CORRE/Gamma-Rapho through Getty Photographs
And what makes it onerous, in fact, is the variables of mom Nature. The three,543 mile race from St Malo, Brittany to Level-a-Pite Guadeloupe checks the solo skippers from begin to end.
Flung from the safety of St Malo’s mediaeval walled battlements and deceptively protected harbours, the fleet is normally instantly confronted with the Bay of Biscay and North Atlantic at its November worst – rolling depressions, vicious sea states and robust headwinds usually characterise the opening sections of the transatlantic, and early indications are that this 12 months’s race appears set to carry comparable.
Two days earlier than the beginning the climate fashions stay largely in settlement: a low-pressure system within the Atlantic, with a sequence of fronts shifting in, is forecast to carry sturdy upwind situations from the outset.
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The Bay of Biscay appears set to dwell as much as its fearsome popularity with situations prone to worsen on Monday with a deep low producing an lively chilly entrance. Cyrille Duschene from Meteo Seek the advice of reported a danger of “50 to 55 knots of wind to the north of the system with 18-21 foot excessive waves out at sea on Monday.”
Former IMOCA 60 skipper Roland Jourdain, this 12 months competing within the Rhum Multi class within the Outremer 50 We Discover, defined: “Situations seem like being energetic for the beginning, however not dramatic. The primary afternoon ought to go nicely.
“The questions we now have are extra about passing the tip of Brittany. For the second, we don’t know whether or not will probably be manageable or not, because the wind is ready to strengthen. There’s prone to be a 6-metre excessive swell with some sturdy tidal currents.”
This can be a race we can be nervously glued to the tracker for the primary 48 hours.
38 IMOCA 60s to start out the Route du Rhum 2022
The numbers throughout the Route du Rhum 2022 are staggering, however the IMOCA pontoon stretches so far as your eye can see, with no fewer than 38 IMOCA 60s lined up facet by facet. It’s a file entry for the occasion and maybe the most important ever gathering of IMOCAs within the class’s historical past. It’s 5 extra boats than the monster 2020/21 Vendée Globe entry, and virtually as many as can be permitted (40) within the 2024/25 Vendée Globe.
There was a lot commentary in regards to the present impolite well being of the IMOCA fleet, the place new designs seemingly can’t be constructed quick sufficient. However the Route du Rhum 2022 fleet in St Malo is like an exhibition of twenty years of offshore racing historical past, with classic daggerboard designs nestling alongside newest technology foilers. Practically each boat has a exceptional historical past to inform, and above the IMOCA pontoons was an absolute crush of spectators craning to see the long-lasting yachts.
Charal 2 was designed by Sam Manuard and contains a scow-style bow. Picture: Eloi Stichelbaut – polaRYSE / Charal
Among the many 38-boat entry are seven model new launches that have been splashed in 2022, for skippers who have been capable of swiftly transfer onto the subsequent IMOCA cycle instantly after the 2020/21 Vendée Globe. They’re Kevin Escoffier’s Holcim-PRB, Maxime Sorel’s dragon-branded V and B-Monbana-Mayenne, Jérémie Beyou’s radical new Charal, Boris Herrmann’s Malizia-Seaexplorer, Sam Davies’s new scow-bowed Initiatives-Coeur, Yannick Bestaven’s Maitre CoQ V and Paul Meilhat’s Biotherm.
It will be stunning, however not remarkable, for one of many new boats to dominate. Reliability points, the necessity for skippers to refine their load administration, and well-placed warning, are prone to imply these boats are pushed much less onerous than these belonging to skippers who’ve a brand new boat on order.
Of that latter class, Charlie Dalin and Thomas Ruyant are doubtless favourites – each crusing exceptionally quick earlier technology IMOCAs, however with new boats within the shed for 2024.
“In my view, Charlie Dalin and Thomas Ruyant are in the very best place with their tremendous nicely confirmed, very dependable IMOCAs. Particularly Dalin who gained all the pieces this 12 months and who even beat totally crewed boats [on the Azimut Challenge]. It’s lovely to see,” mentioned German entrant Boris Herrmann.
In Charlie Dalin’s arms Apivia has confirmed itself to be a little bit of a rocketship. Picture: Pierre Bouras
“There’s a danger that not all new boats will end into Guadeloupe due to teething issues. I actually don’t need to be a part of the battle however need to get there. The climate shouldn’t be trying straightforward, it’s going to be an actual journey.”
The winner of the 2018 Route du Rhum, Paul Meilhart returns this 12 months, additionally crusing a model new boat, Biotherm. Meilhart’s boat was launched on the very finish of August this 12 months and he admits that he’s not anticipating to defend his title, although he hopes to be aggressive. “It’s a must to select your battles. I’m setting off feeling humble…” he mentioned.
“I’m nonetheless at present testing [Biotherm’s] reliability and getting used to my IMOCA… My important objective is in fact to complete, however I need to do battle with the others to see what potential Biotherm may need. Regardless of not having a lot preparation, I nonetheless need to be up there within the contest.”
Nevertheless, it’s not simply the skippers of recent boats who can be making some delicate danger versus reward calculations. The extra stringent Vendée Globe qualification guidelines for 2024 imply that the majority IMOCA skippers at the moment are in a race in opposition to time to build up ample qualification miles of their Vendée boats.
Even those that’ve taken supply of a well-proven earlier technology design can be keenly conscious {that a} race-ending breakage would shave 1000’s of invaluable miles from their whole, and pile the stress on for 2023.
Pip Hare now has a foiling IMOCA 60 having accomplished the 2020-21 Vendée Globe on a 1999 classic boat.
“It’s all improbable for the Vendée Globe to have all this curiosity and it’s improbable to be a part of it and I undoubtedly respect the necessity for a qualification. However I do joke about the truth that everybody bought a free go earlier than this after which the 12 months I come again to do it once more it’s worthwhile to qualify!” commented Pip Hare, who’ll be returning for her second Vendée Globe subsequent 12 months and is crusing the new-to-her Medallia on this 12 months’s Route du Rhum.
“But it surely actually has modified the entire dynamic as it’s now simply largely a few race for miles, even for the brand new boats. Everybody has so much to lose in the event that they don’t end this race. And that features the fellows who’re doing The Ocean Race who must get the boat again rapidly after which have, like, three weeks or so for a refit to do The Ocean Race.”
One other issue which Hare says is enjoying on her thoughts is the file fleet dimension. “This can be a large fleet. I’m actually, actually nervous in regards to the begin.
“Are you able to think about having a collision at first and within the first 24 hours? And it appears like will probably be upwind which then means the quick, new Class40s can be in with the IMOCAs so will probably be … busy.
“I believe I’ll method this all with a sail plan I can deal with rapidly and simply with the highest (roof) open, totally kitted up, alarms on and the minimal doable sleep. I must be tremendous vigilant and if the scenario appears ‘iffy’ in any respect then simply again off a bit.”
François Gabart’s foiling UItime, SVR-Lazartigue
8 Ultimes
Although numerically the smallest, there’s no query that the Ultime 32/23 fleet is probably the most spectacular, with no fewer than eight of the extraordinary trimarans participating – additionally the most important ever gathering of the newest technology foilers.
Lined up nostril to tail within the race village, their retracted foils looming over the pontoons and leviathan-scale wing masts towering over all the pieces, the Ultimes type a multi-million-Euro kilometre-long F1-style pit lane. To say it’s spectacular can be, nicely, an understatement.
(And, fast actuality examine, they’re additionally crusing solo)
Charles Caudrelier on Gitana is the apparent favorite, with the longest optimisation programme and most race victories behind him, together with the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre final November (2021).
Nevertheless, on this fleet, and on this race, previous success doesn’t assure future glory. That’s one thing François Gabart found in 2018 when, just a few months after setting his solo around the globe file on the 100ft Macif, he misplaced out to Francois Joyon within the a lot older, and slower Idec within the last miles of the Route du Rhum end, ending simply 7 minutes behind.
Gabart is again this 12 months together with his model new (and controversial, foiling Ultime SVR Lazartigue). As is Joyon, on Idec.
“The usual of the competitors is excessive with just a few boats that have been there 4 years in the past and have been up to date and the brand new ones, which learnt so much from the older ones. As for the situations, I really feel curious quite than apprehensive. Is it going to be stronger than what I’ve already sailed upwind? You’ll be able to undergo injury as a result of the boat is new and hasn’t been tried and examined, as is the case for a few of my rivals, or undergo injury as a result of the boat is just too outdated with its authentic gear like mine, so it stays open…” commented Joyon earlier than the beginning.
Banque Populaire Xl is the results of a colossal 150,000 hours of design and building
work. Picture: J Lecaudey/BPCE
Getting across the Atlantic unscathed is way from a given for these big trimarans, and the Route du Rhum 2022 sees the return of Armel le Cleac’h together with his new Ultime Maxi Banque Populaire XI. His earlier maxi trimaran capsized and broke up 24 hours into the 2018 Route du Rhum. The boat was a complete write off.
The brand new Maxi Banque Populaire XI picked up a third place within the Transat Jacques Vabre (2021), whereas le Cléac’h has already accomplished the equal of a world tour in racing and coaching miles. Throughout this summer time’s crewed Ultime contest, the Finistère Atlantique, le Cleac’h loved a detailed battle with the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. In the long run, le Cleac’h completed 2nd, 26 minutes after Caudrelier after greater than 3,100 miles of racing.
Thomas Coville, a earlier Rhum winner, returns with Sodebo, additionally a brand new technology foiler. This can be Coville’s seventh entry within the race.
The opposite three older Ultimes are Precise Ultim 3 skippered by Yves Le Blevec, Use it Once more! (the unique B&Q/Castorama) skippered by Romain Pillard, and Mieux, skippered by 34-year-old Arthur Le Vaillant.
“I’m scared, however I’ll be at 200% on Sunday to get off to a superb begin. There can be all of the sailors I really like round me. I’m right here for that,” mentioned Le Vaillant earlier than his first Ultim race.
The Class 40 fleet is a hotbed of design innovation. Picture: Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
55 Class 40 to start out the Route du Rhum 2022
With 55 entries, the Class 40 fleet is the most important of all of the Route du Rhum lessons, and once more represents one in every of – if not the – largest gatherings of the category in its historical past.
Unsurprisingly, selecting out a probable favorite to win is close to inconceivable, with a minimum of 10 boats broadly tipped for the highest slot. Even then, “there are such a lot of outsiders round that something is feasible. It’s a pity that betting shouldn’t be allowed,” factors out Halvard Mabire, the president of the category.
Amongst them will certainly be Yoann Richomme on Paprec Arkea, winner of the final version of the Route du Rhum and likewise a double winner of the La Solitaire du Figaro. “There isn’t a magic formulation to resolve who the highest contenders could be,” Richomme mused forward of the beginning.
Whereas the Class 40 has all the time been seen as a precursor to the IMOCA fleet for a lot of skippers, it’s more and more turning into a design check mattress additionally, and there at the moment are 30 scow-style designs within the fleet. This partly displays the continued success story that’s Sam Manuard’s Class 40 design growth, but in addition the sheer variety of well-funded and skippers campaigning within the fleet.
Sam Goodchild’s Leyton is likely one of the favourites. Picture: Yann Riou/polaRYSE
8 Multi 50
Though the eight-strong fleet of Multi 50s is way smaller, the evenly matched trimarans make it virtually equally onerous to foretell the rostrum. British skipper Sam Goodchild (Leyton) is usually ranked because the favorite, although Sébastien Rogues (Primonial) and Quentin Vlamynck (Arkema) are additionally doubtless entrance runners.
In the meantime the appreciable offshore expertise of Vendée veteran Armel Tripon (Les P’tits Doudous), 3 times TJV winner and former Route du Rhum winner Erwan Le Roux, and the previous Figaro, Volvo Ocean Race and Tour de France a la Voile sailor Eric Peron actually imply they too have clear podium potential.
For the smaller, non-foiling trimarans, the largest concern is prone to be the early forecast situations, which can make for a nerve-jangling begin for the eight solo skippers.
Acapella (the sister ship of Mike Birch well-known Olympus) constructed by Walter Inexperienced in 1980 will compete within the Route du Rhum 2022. Picture: Christophe Launay
16 Rhum Multi, 14 Rhum Mono
The ‘Rhum’ lessons symbolize an eclectic combine of contemporary and classic designs, usually sailed by passionate however extra Corinthian campaigners.
Books may very well be written in regards to the storied entrants in these fleets. Amongst them is Catherine Chabaud, the primary girl to have raced around the globe solo, continuous within the 1996/97 Vendée. She returns to solo racing within the Route du Rhum 2022 aboard the 1990-built ketch Le Cigare Rouge.
Pen Duick III can be sailed by Arnaud Pennarun. Vendée veteran Jean-Pierre Dick sails his Verdier-designed customized 54-footer Absolute Dreamer, whereas St Malo resident and Jean-Sébastien Biard, a removals firm boss, can be racing his 42ft Beneteau within the Mono fleet.
The Multi fleet has an much more intriguing combine, with former around the world skippers lining up in all the pieces from new excessive efficiency cruising monohulls to classic Walter Inexperienced designs.
They embody Marc Guillemot, racing a brand new 50-foot catamaran apparently constructed utilizing components recovered from earlier offshore racing yachts. Charlie Capelle returns crusing his invincible little yellow trimaran Acapella. Loic Escoffier, brother of IMOCA skipper Kevin, is racing a Marsaudon ORC 50. Roland ‘Bilou’ Jourdain is racing a sustainably constructed Outremer 50. Philippe Poupon is racing Flo, the long-lasting 60ft trimaran which Florence Arthaud sailed as 1st Pierre to victory and worldwide fame in 1990.
(Maybe the query of which is the best fleet of all time stays up for debate…)
Nonetheless, this Sunday’s Route du Rhum 2022 begin is a tantalising prospect for offshore racing followers.
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