The sailor, set to become the first woman to start the Route du Rhum aboard an Ultim, explains why physical fitness is at the heart of her preparation.
The Route du Rhum gets underway on November 1st, and Alexia Barrier is among the most closely followed names in this edition. She is set to become the first woman to take the start of the race aboard an Ultim, those giant trimarans of more than 30 metres designed for the open ocean. Entered solo on Idec Sport CIC, the skipper places physical preparation at the centre of her work.
For her, sailing alone on a machine of this size demands constant effort. Manoeuvres, sail handling, watch rotations and recovery call for an endurance and strength that are often underestimated from the outside. In her remarks, she stresses that muscle mass plays a protective role: it allows her to sustain the effort over time, limit fatigue and keep the reflexes needed when conditions deteriorate.
This approach reflects a broader evolution in offshore sailing. Ultim skippers now work with trainers and specialists in nutrition and sleep, because records and major races are also decided by the ability to stay sharp after several days without interruption. The physical dimension is no longer a side issue; it is an integral part of race strategy.
Alexia Barrier thus approaches a challenge that goes beyond sporting performance alone. Becoming the first woman to line up on an Ultim in this legendary race represents a symbolic milestone for French sailing, although the skipper avoids reducing her project to that aspect. Her primary goal remains to bring her boat safely to port in the best possible conditions.
The November 1st start is approaching, and every week of preparation counts. The coming training sessions and boat tuning milestones will show whether the physical and technical strategy pays off when she enters the Atlantic.
For her, sailing alone on a machine of this size demands constant effort. Manoeuvres, sail handling, watch rotations and recovery call for an endurance and strength that are often underestimated from the outside. In her remarks, she stresses that muscle mass plays a protective role: it allows her to sustain the effort over time, limit fatigue and keep the reflexes needed when conditions deteriorate.
This approach reflects a broader evolution in offshore sailing. Ultim skippers now work with trainers and specialists in nutrition and sleep, because records and major races are also decided by the ability to stay sharp after several days without interruption. The physical dimension is no longer a side issue; it is an integral part of race strategy.
Alexia Barrier thus approaches a challenge that goes beyond sporting performance alone. Becoming the first woman to line up on an Ultim in this legendary race represents a symbolic milestone for French sailing, although the skipper avoids reducing her project to that aspect. Her primary goal remains to bring her boat safely to port in the best possible conditions.
The November 1st start is approaching, and every week of preparation counts. The coming training sessions and boat tuning milestones will show whether the physical and technical strategy pays off when she enters the Atlantic.
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Source: Ouest-France