The 138 solo competitors on the starting line in St Malo reflect the best roster of sailors in the history of this event, making 2022 an exceptional vintage for this legendary transatlantic race.
As created in 1978 by Michel Etevenon, the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe has always been the race of liberty. True to its core values since the beginning, there were once again six different types of sailboats on the starting line off the coast of St Malo on November 9, 2022.
In the multihull category, eight boats competed in the ULTIM 32/23 class for maxi multihulls over 100’. The favorite, Charles Caudrelier aboard the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, dominated the race, outsailing his adversaries from start to finish in his very first appearance in this race. He set a new record of 6 days, 19 hours, and 47 minutes, with an average speed of 21.63 knots. The former record, set by Francis Joyon in 2018, was 7 days, 14 hours, and 21 minutes.
© Alexis Courcoux.
In the Ocean Fifty class—50’ sport multihulls—also saw eight seasoned sailors set out to sea including Armel Tripon, winner of this class in 2018. This year, Erwan le Roux was first, arriving in 10 days, 21 hours, and 35 minutes, with an average speed of 13.54 knots, after a fierce duel with Quentin Vlamynck who crossed the finish line a few minutes later with a time of 10 days, 21 hours, and 54 minutes, at an average speed of 13.52 knots.
The Rhum Multi class—for catamarans or trimarans no longer than 64’ —comprised 14 competitors including the inexhaustible Philippe Poupon, participating for the fifth time. He sailed in homage to his late friend Florence Arthaud aboard Pierre 1er, (rebaptized as Flo), the boat with which Arthaud won the race in 1990. Poupon finished in seventh place, eclipsed by class winner Loïc Escoffier, who competed the race in 16 days, 6 hours, and 37 minutes, at an average speed of 9.07 knots.
In the monohull categories, there were 38 entries in the IMOCA class for 60’ ocean racers. Top of the list included Charlie Dalin and Thomas Ruyant, who fought it out right to the finish. In the end, it was Ruyant who was crowned the winner after 11 days, 17 hours, and 36 minutes at an average speed of 12.58 knots.
Another monohull category, Class40 features 40’ boats with amateur racers and professional skippers sailing to enjoy the spirit of the experience. Sailor/naval architect Yoann Richomme took first place in 14 days, 3 hours, and 8 minutes at an average speed of 10.44 knots.
Finally, in the Rhum Mono class, reserved for monohulls from 39’ to 60’ that do not fit in any of the other classes, Jean-Pierre Dick snatched victory from the other 16 solo competitors in 16 days, 5 hours, and 57 minutes at an average speed of 8.90 knots. Willy Bissainte from Guadeloupe finished in fourth place, after 20 days, 20 hours, and 59 minutes at an average speed of 7.07 knots.
Now the only thing to do is wait… to once again experience the intensity of this great sailing experience that wrapped up 2022, we have to be patient until 2026!
Auteur : Mathias Flodrops
