The skipper of the UpWind by MerConcept project will confirm her presence for a new offshore campaign after the 2026 La Route du Rhum.
Anne-Claire Le Berre officially announced this Wednesday her decision to continue her career in Ocean Fifty beyond the 2026 edition of La Route du Rhum. The sailor, who steers the yacht UpWind by MerConcept, will remain engaged in the 50-foot monotype class after the arrival of the solo offshore race.
This announcement comes a few weeks before the start of the event, scheduled for November 1, 2026, at 1:02 PM from Saint-Malo. For Le Berre, this continuity is not a simple extension of the calendar, but an essential step in her learning. She confides that she believes she has not yet reached the level of performance she desires on this type of boat. The yacht, designed to sail without ballast, imposes strict technical constraints and meticulous management of energy, making each race decisive for the skipper's progression.
The UpWind by MerConcept program has a social specificities: it was specifically structured to facilitate women's access to the highest level of offshore racing. By maintaining her commitment, Anne-Claire Le Berre directly contributes to the visibility and sustainability of this dynamic. The objective is to prove that sporting excellence is achievable beyond gender stereotypes in a historically male-dominated field.
An important novelty accompanies this decision. An official selection will soon be launched to designate the next foreign co-skipper who will accompany Le Berre in her upcoming races. This recruitment is part of the desire to professionalize the crew and expand the project's international network. Details regarding the selection criteria and the opening dates of this procedure will be communicated in the coming weeks.
By extending her contract, the French sailor signs a sporting and human bet. She accepts to face the harshness of the North Atlantic with the same yacht, hoping to refine her sailing technique and tactics. This continuity also offers stability to the UpWind by MerConcept project, allowing partners and volunteers to commit for the long term.
This announcement comes a few weeks before the start of the event, scheduled for November 1, 2026, at 1:02 PM from Saint-Malo. For Le Berre, this continuity is not a simple extension of the calendar, but an essential step in her learning. She confides that she believes she has not yet reached the level of performance she desires on this type of boat. The yacht, designed to sail without ballast, imposes strict technical constraints and meticulous management of energy, making each race decisive for the skipper's progression.
The UpWind by MerConcept program has a social specificities: it was specifically structured to facilitate women's access to the highest level of offshore racing. By maintaining her commitment, Anne-Claire Le Berre directly contributes to the visibility and sustainability of this dynamic. The objective is to prove that sporting excellence is achievable beyond gender stereotypes in a historically male-dominated field.
An important novelty accompanies this decision. An official selection will soon be launched to designate the next foreign co-skipper who will accompany Le Berre in her upcoming races. This recruitment is part of the desire to professionalize the crew and expand the project's international network. Details regarding the selection criteria and the opening dates of this procedure will be communicated in the coming weeks.
By extending her contract, the French sailor signs a sporting and human bet. She accepts to face the harshness of the North Atlantic with the same yacht, hoping to refine her sailing technique and tactics. This continuity also offers stability to the UpWind by MerConcept project, allowing partners and volunteers to commit for the long term.
إعلان
المصدر: Ouest-France