Sailor of the UpWind by MerConcept project to confirm her participation in a new offshore campaign following the 2026 Route du Rhum.
Anne-Claire Le Berre officially confirmed on Wednesday her decision to continue her career in the Ocean Fifty class beyond the 2026 edition of the Route du Rhum. The sailor, who helms the yacht UpWind by MerConcept, will remain committed to the 50-foot monohull class after the finish of the offshore solo race.
This announcement comes a few weeks before the start of the event, scheduled for 1:02 pm on November 1, 2026, from Saint-Malo. For Le Berre, this continuity is not simply an extension of the schedule, but an essential step in her learning process. She confided that she believes she has not yet reached the performance level she desires with this type of boat. The yacht, designed to sail without ballast, imposes strict technical constraints and meticulous energy management, making every race crucial for the helmsperson's progress.
The UpWind by MerConcept program has a distinct social feature: it was specifically structured to facilitate women's access to the highest levels of offshore racing. By maintaining her commitment, Anne-Claire Le Berre directly contributes to the visibility and sustainability of this momentum. The goal is to prove that sporting excellence can be achieved beyond gender stereotypes in a historically male-dominated field.
An important new initiative accompanies this decision. An official selection process will soon be launched to designate the next foreign co-helmsperson who will accompany Le Berre during her upcoming races. This recruitment aligns with the desire to professionalize the crew and broaden the project's international network. Details regarding the selection criteria and the opening dates for this procedure will be communicated in the coming weeks.
By extending her contract, the French sailor is making a sporting and human bet. She accepts to face the harshness of the North Atlantic with the same yacht, hoping to refine her sail-handling techniques and tactics. This continuity also provides stability for the UpWind by MerConcept project, allowing partners and volunteers to commit to the long term.
This announcement comes a few weeks before the start of the event, scheduled for 1:02 pm on November 1, 2026, from Saint-Malo. For Le Berre, this continuity is not simply an extension of the schedule, but an essential step in her learning process. She confided that she believes she has not yet reached the performance level she desires with this type of boat. The yacht, designed to sail without ballast, imposes strict technical constraints and meticulous energy management, making every race crucial for the helmsperson's progress.
The UpWind by MerConcept program has a distinct social feature: it was specifically structured to facilitate women's access to the highest levels of offshore racing. By maintaining her commitment, Anne-Claire Le Berre directly contributes to the visibility and sustainability of this momentum. The goal is to prove that sporting excellence can be achieved beyond gender stereotypes in a historically male-dominated field.
An important new initiative accompanies this decision. An official selection process will soon be launched to designate the next foreign co-helmsperson who will accompany Le Berre during her upcoming races. This recruitment aligns with the desire to professionalize the crew and broaden the project's international network. Details regarding the selection criteria and the opening dates for this procedure will be communicated in the coming weeks.
By extending her contract, the French sailor is making a sporting and human bet. She accepts to face the harshness of the North Atlantic with the same yacht, hoping to refine her sail-handling techniques and tactics. This continuity also provides stability for the UpWind by MerConcept project, allowing partners and volunteers to commit to the long term.
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Source: Ouest-France