Baptiste Hulin, recent winner of the Ocean Fifty Series, is about to take on his first solo challenge in the Route du Rhum aboard his trimaran Viabilis Océans.
Baptiste Hulin is no longer an unknown in the world of ocean racing. Winner of the 2025 Ocean Fifty Series and the latest Transat for the class, the skipper from La Tessoualle will set off next Sunday for his first Route du Rhum. A major challenge awaits him at the helm of his trimaran Viabilis Océans, in a discipline where solitude at sea becomes an adversary in itself.
The first months of the year have not been easy for the sailor. The structuring of his project required time and adjustments, somewhat delaying his preparation. Yet those who watch him closely highlight his ability to turn constraints into strength. As one of his crew members confides, "He has this reasonable warrior side that allows him to move forward without ever losing sight of his objectives." An essential quality for facing the vagaries of the Atlantic in solo sailing.
His direct competitors do not underestimate the threat this young wolf of the seas represents. The Ocean Fifty class is brimming with talent, but Hulin has demonstrated that he knows how to play his trump card in decisive moments. His trimaran, optimized for performance and reliability, could well be a major asset in sometimes unpredictable conditions.
The question remains whether the Norman will be ready to handle the immense pressure that accompanies such an adventure. The Route du Rhum is not a race like any other. It forges legends and sometimes reveals unforeseen weaknesses. Will Baptiste Hulin have the shoulders to bear this weight? The coming weeks will give us the answer, but one thing is certain: all eyes will be fixed on this rising skipper.
The first months of the year have not been easy for the sailor. The structuring of his project required time and adjustments, somewhat delaying his preparation. Yet those who watch him closely highlight his ability to turn constraints into strength. As one of his crew members confides, "He has this reasonable warrior side that allows him to move forward without ever losing sight of his objectives." An essential quality for facing the vagaries of the Atlantic in solo sailing.
His direct competitors do not underestimate the threat this young wolf of the seas represents. The Ocean Fifty class is brimming with talent, but Hulin has demonstrated that he knows how to play his trump card in decisive moments. His trimaran, optimized for performance and reliability, could well be a major asset in sometimes unpredictable conditions.
The question remains whether the Norman will be ready to handle the immense pressure that accompanies such an adventure. The Route du Rhum is not a race like any other. It forges legends and sometimes reveals unforeseen weaknesses. Will Baptiste Hulin have the shoulders to bear this weight? The coming weeks will give us the answer, but one thing is certain: all eyes will be fixed on this rising skipper.
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Source: Ouest-France