Florence Arthaud's victory
Florence Arthaud's victory is the most memorable for skippers. In 1990, Florence, who participated for the 4th time in the Route du Rhum, won on the 60-foot gold trimaran Pierre Ier. She became the first woman to win the legendary transatlantic race and set a new record: 14 days and 10 hours and 8 minutes.
The image of his arrival in Pointe-à-Pitre has remained engraved in our memories, as Romain Attanasio explains "The Route du Rhum for me is Florence Arthaud in 1990. I was in seventh grade, I hadn't done well at school, so I ended up in a boarding school in the Aisne region, I felt like a prisoner. The images of the crazy arrival of this golden boat, at the end of an incredible adventure, had marked me, it was a way of escaping and that's really what made me want to go sailing or François Lassort "The victory of Florence Arthaud in 1990. She beat all the guys. Quite a performance! I named my boat Aflo aeuros as a tribute to her".
She has inspired many women sailors, such as Alexia Barrier " For me, who had the chance to sail with her and to be her friend, it was Flo's (Florence Arthaud) victory. I was 10 years old and I still remember it, it was extraordinary and very symbolic to see a woman win. It is obvious that I will think of her when I am on the starting line" or Claire Pruvot "It was Florence Arthaud's victory in 1991, even if Laurent Bourgnon's victories on Primagaz in 1994 and 1998 also had an impact on me. I think I also had the posters in my room! (Laughs)"
Laurent Bourgnon
Laurent Bourgnon and his double victory! A first victory in 1994 on his 60-foot trimaran Primagaz in 14d 6 h and 28 min and a second victory in 1998 on the same boat! Sistership of Pierre 1e (Florence Arthaud's trimaran), the boat took her 3rd consecutive podium, including two victories, a first in the history of the race! The "Petit Prince" is the only boat to date to have achieved the double in the top category of large multihulls!
"For me, the Route du Rhum is Laurent Bourgnon, when he arrives with his arms in a V shape on a skate. Honestly, this guy, respect! He knew how to attack, how to be on the edge, he was in control of his subject" explains Sébastien Josse. "What triggered? my passion and love for the Route du Rhum was most likely Laurent Bourgnon's double victory. It really provoked? something in me." adds Erwan Le Roux.
Ellen Mac Arthur
The young British sailor was only 22 years old when she crossed the finish line in Pointe-à-Pitre in 2002! She arrived first in Guadeloupe, ahead of the big trimarans. It must be said that the race management had postponed the start by 24 hours for the multihulls.
"Ellen MacArthur's victory in 2002. When a woman wins, knowing that there are always very few women at the start of the Route du Rhum, it is a very strong sign: it shows that if they are given the opportunity, women can succeed as well as men and that there is no reserved circuit or preserve says Isabelle Joschke.
"I have in mind Laurent Bourgnon's crazy double, but also Ellen MacArthur's victory in 2002. I was not very old, but it marked me to see her arrive in front of the multihulls, although she had left before. And it was a great story to see an Englishwoman win the favorite race of the French!" concludes Arthur Gascoin.
