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Tom Laperche is expected to arrive in Guadeloupe tonight
The first finish of the 2026 Route du Rhum is taking shape. On the morning of Saturday, November 7, Tom Laperche is sailing less than 300 miles from Pointe-à-Pitre, leading the Ultim class aboard SVR-Lazartigue. The skipper is expected to arrive during the night of November 7?8, Paris time, but the final few miles are not expected to be easy.
The approach to the West Indies is taking place under unusual weather conditions. With no trade winds, Tom must sail in a southwesterly wind that is almost perpendicular to his course. He may have to tack several times near Montserrat and Antigua before reaching Guadeloupe.
The skipper regained speed after passing through an area of light winds associated with a tropical depression. His 32-meter trimaran reached speeds of up to 25 knots, but conditions remain unstable, with squalls capable of producing gusts of 30 knots.
The priority now is to navigate changes in wind direction, perform maneuvers, and sail around Guadeloupe. Tom is also keeping an eye out for fishing vessels that might be in his path.
In Saturday morning's standings, Thomas Coville on Sodebo Ultim 3 is in second place ahead of Louis Burton on Armand Thiery.
In Class40, the low-pressure system is widening the gaps between the courses
Further east, the Class40s continue to feel the effects of the Azores low-pressure system. Conditions remain grueling for the solo sailors, with winds regularly exceeding 40 knots and rough seas making progress difficult.
Guillaume Pirouelle on Sogestran-Seafrigo and Achille Nebout on Amarris hold the top two spots in the standings released Saturday morning. Robin Follin on Solano rounds out the top three.
The first two chose a southerly course to avoid the most challenging part of the low-pressure system. This choice forces them to sail close-hauled, but allows them to maintain a higher speed than their competitors further north.
The group led by Luca Rosetti on Maccaferri Futura attempted to cross through the center of the low-pressure system to reach favorable winds more quickly. This strategy temporarily cost the competitors involved ground, as they were slowed down in an area of low wind pressure.
The leading boats covered about 100 miles in ten hours, compared with just 25 miles for those taking the northern route.
The difference is significant, but it does not determine what will happen next. The competitors in the north have avoided some of the most severe conditions. Their position could become advantageous again as the weather system moves.
On board, fatigue is also becoming a major factor. Guillaume Pirouelle reports sustained winds of 40 to 45 knots and repeated impacts from the waves. Lack of sleep is making it harder to adjust the sails and is making it more difficult to maintain a steady speed.
Achille Nebout is facing similar conditions, with gusts exceeding 40 knots. Changing sails and adjusting the autopilot are keeping him very busy.
For both men, the challenge is to maintain their lead without damaging their boat before the second leg of the crossing.
Corentin Horeau Remains in the Lead in the IMOCA Class Despite Water Leak
In the IMOCA class, Corentin Horeau remains firmly in first place aboard MACSF. On Saturday morning, his lead over his closest competitor stood at approximately 265 miles.
The skipper, however, had a rough night. The hatch cover came loose, causing water to leak into the sail locker. Horeau had to spend about two hours pumping out the water before retrieving the hatch, which he found wedged in the lifelines at the stern of the boat. He then made a repair, but says he is unable to get his IMOCA to sail at the desired speed.
Sam Goodchild on Macif Santé Prévoyance is in second place, ahead of Boris Herrmann on Malizia 4.
The day was also marked by troubling news about Jérémie Beyou. Forced to retire on Tuesday, November 3, for medical reasons, the skipper of the Charal underwent medical examinations on Friday in the Azores. According to the organizers, these tests revealed several vertebral and rib fractures, as well as a head injury. He is scheduled to be flown back to France over the weekend.
Basile Bourgnon leads the Ocean Fifty fleet ahead of another wind pick-up
In the Ocean Fifty class, Basile Bourgnon remains in first place aboard Edenred, with a lead of well over 100 miles.
Behind him, the battle remains tight among several competitors. Thibaut Vauchel-Camus on Solidaires en Peloton by Delanchy holds second place in the morning standings, ahead of Pierre Quiroga on WeWise.
Léonard Legrand on Sodebo Fifty and Baptiste Hulin on Viabilis Oceans also remain in the running for the top spots.
Weather conditions could still affect the gaps between competitors. A new storm front is expected along the route of some of the competitors. The wind is expected to shift to the east and strengthen to around 30 knots, with squalls likely to produce stronger gusts.
For these multihulls, the challenge lies in maintaining high speed while controlling acceleration during squalls. Shifting winds require frequent adjustments, even as the skippers have already endured several days of difficult sailing.
Kieran Le Borgne and Damien Seguin are in the lead in the Vintage class
The Vintage categories aren't spared either.
In the Vintage Mono class, Tanguy Caradec on Eurvad had a particularly rough night. The skipper reported gusts reaching 47 knots and planing speeds between 22 and 25 knots in rough seas.
In the Vintage Mono class, Kieran Le Borgne aboard Armor Lux - Le Finistère Assurance holds first place ahead of Sidney Gavignet aboard Le Cigare Rouge and Tanguy Caradec.
In the Vintage Multi class, Damien Seguin aboard Arkéa - Handicap International took the lead ahead of Éric Péron aboard French Touch - Oceania Hôtels. Gilles Lamiré aboard Groupe GCA is in third place.
Sixteen withdrawals after six days of racing
According to the organization, 16 of the 115 solo sailors who started the 2026 Route du Rhum withdrew from the race.
For those continuing their crossing, the next few hours could bring a change in conditions. Following the strong winds from the low-pressure system, a high-pressure ridge is expected on Sunday, November 8, over part of the Atlantic.
The winds could then drop to around 10 knots, which could slow down some competitors and change the gaps between them.
This transition will be particularly important for the Class40s, whose courses remain very different. The positions they have established in heavy weather could still change once the boats return to more manageable conditions.
