French skipper Corentin Horeau (MACSF) secured a significant victory in the 13th edition of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, triumphing in the IMOCA class. He crossed the finish line off Pointe-à-Pitre at 01:14 hours on Wednesday morning.
Horeau’s journey was marked by a critical break two days after departing from Saint Malo on November 1st. While his closest competitors, Sam Goodchild and Ambrogio Beccaria, opted for a northern route seeking a quicker passage through areas of lighter winds, Horeau maintained a direct course, which ultimately led him to a substantial lead.
The final approach to Guadeloupe was challenging, as the conditions were calm, making the last miles particularly slow. However, Horeau remained composed, delivering one of the most remarkable victories in the race’s history. His final elapsed time was 09 days, 17 hours, 12 minutes, and 9 seconds, with a distance covered of 4,073.18 nautical miles. His average speed was recorded at 15.14 knots over the great-circle route and 17.47 knots over the actual distance.
Horeau, aged 37, is a recent winner of La Solitaire du Figaro and has been selected by MACSF for their programme aiming at the 2028 Vendée Globe. This victory in the Route du Rhum marks a significant milestone as it was his first attempt at this prestigious event, sailing the same boat that secured second place in the last Vendée Globe.
Following the race, Horeau’s performance is viewed as a promising start to a potentially stellar career within the IMOCA 60 footer class. The Route du Rhum continues to be a vital event, bringing together a diverse range of competitors and showcasing the spirit of offshore sailing.
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