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Ultim: Tom Laperche Feels Confident, Charles Caudrelier Faces the Unknown
Tom Laperche heads into the Route du Rhum with a strong track record. As the winner of the 24 Heures Ultim, finishing just 11 minutes and 29 seconds ahead of Armel Le Cléac'h, the skipper of SVR-Lazartigue has proven his competitiveness despite a disrupted preparation period.
A collision in September damaged the starboard foils on his trimaran, forcing the team to reinstall the old foil on that side. Laperche insists that this modification does not affect the boat's performance.
Their competitors have also upgraded their boats. Banque Populaire XI has a new centerboard, Sodebo Ultim 3 has new foils, and Actual Ultim 3 has a new mast.
But one of the biggest unknowns involves Charles Caudrelier. The 2022 champion is returning with Gitana 18, which was launched eight months before the start. Although his qualification as a solo sailor was confirmed in early September, the new maxi-trimaran has yet to go head-to-head with its competitors in a race.
The skipper himself admits that his boat lacks experience at sea. His experience will be invaluable, but there are still questions about the fine-tuning of Gitana 18.
Actual Ultim 3: The 2022 Champion Returns to Action
The showdown between Charles Caudrelier and Anthony Marchand will have a special significance. The skipper of Actual will be reunited in Saint-Malo with the trimaran on which Caudrelier won the previous edition.
Formerly known as Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, Gitana 17 set the Route du Rhum record in 2022 with a time of 6 days, 19 hours, 47 minutes, and 25 seconds. Launched in 2017, this 32-meter foiling trimaran is now competing under the Actual banner.
With a new mast and several sailing seasons under its belt, Actual Ultim 3 has a solid technical track record. It remains to be seen how it will fare against the latest advancements made by its competitors, particularly Gitana 18.
Ocean Fifty: Basile Bourgnon Among the Contenders
In the Ocean Fifty class, predictions remain difficult. These 50-foot trimarans require constant vigilance, especially in solo racing, where even the slightest damage can quickly jeopardize a race.
Basile Bourgnon is one of the most highly anticipated skippers. As the winner of the Dhream Cup in July, the Edenred sailor has shown impressive consistency this season.
But his most recent Transat Café L'Or, sailed with Emmanuel Le Roch, serves as a reminder of the technical risks involved in this class. While they were among the leaders, a connecting rod failure derailed their hopes.
Thibault Vauchel-Camus, Erwan Le Draoulec, Pierre Quiroga, Baptiste Hulin, and Léonard Legrand are also among the contenders to watch. Anne-Claire Le Berre, competing on Upwind by Merconcept, will be the first woman to participate in the Route du Rhum in an Ocean Fifty.
IMOCA: Can Sam Goodchild Maintain His Consistency?
Since joining Macif in 2025, Sam Goodchild has racked up podium finishes. As the winner of the 1000 Race and a two-time winner of the Défi Azimut, the Franco-British skipper is considered one of the top favorites.
However, he is not invincible. Ambrogio Beccaria, for example, finished ahead of him in the Vendée Arctique, which he won aboard Allagrande Mapei.
Francesca Clapcich and Élodie Bonafous also have proven boats and impressive results. Their competitors, on the other hand, are banking on recent technical advancements. Sébastien Simon and Boris Herrmann are sailing on IMOCAs launched this year, while Jérémie Beyou has made significant modifications to the bow of the Charal.
These choices could shake things up. But a new or refitted boat takes time to master fully, especially on a solo transatlantic race.
Class40: Douguet and Pirouelle Face Tough Competition
In the Class40 division, two names stand out in recent results: Corentin Douguet and Guillaume Pirouelle.
Douguet won the Dhream Cup and the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race, among other races. Pirouelle took first place in the 2025 Transat Café L'Or and the 2026 Normandy Channel Race.
Their experience and the competitiveness of their boats make them serious contenders. But this category is about more than just this head-to-head matchup.
Alexis Loison, the recent winner of the 40 Malouine, Pep Costa, Fabien Delahaye, Quentin Le Nabour, Ian Lipinski, Axel Tréhin, and Achille Nebout also have what it takes.
In such a large fleet, route choices could lead to significant changes in the standings. The ability to maintain a good average speed?without exhausting the skipper or putting the equipment at risk?will be crucial.
Vintage Multi: The Return of the Classic ORMA Trimaran
The Vintage Multi category marks the return of several ORMA trimarans, which were iconic in offshore racing during the 1990s and 2000s.
Francis Joyon, Damien Seguin, Éric Péron, and Gilles Lamiré will be at the helm of four of these multihulls. Joyon has the experience of winning the Route du Rhum in 2018, while Damien Seguin is coming off a victory at the Dhream Cup.
Romain Pilliard will also compete in the race aboard "Use it Again," Ellen MacArthur's former "Kingfisher," a 33-meter trimaran.
The category also includes smaller boats with very different performance characteristics. Charlie Capelle, Christophe Bogrand, and Laurent Etheimer, in particular, are expected to compete in a race separate from that of the large multihulls.
Vintage Mono: It's hard to pick a favorite
With thirteen competitors entered, the Vintage Mono class presents a particularly uncertain pecking order. The skippers have not had any recent head-to-head races that would allow them to directly compare their performances.
Patrick Isoard, winner of The Transat CIC in 2024, is emerging as a serious contender thanks to his knowledge of the boat and his experience.
Sidney Gavignet, Tanguy Caradec, Wilfrid Clerton, and Kieran Le Borgne are also among the sailors to watch.
Jean Le Cam will also be at the starting line, aboard the Swan 59 Alegria. While his monohull may not have the speed potential of the fastest boats, his experience with solo crossings could prove valuable.
