Less than 24 hours after the start of the Route du Rhum, Anthony Marchand's Actual Ultim 4 is forced to stop off the Irish coast due to a major technical issue with its central rudder.
The 13th edition of the Route du Rhum has already seen its first major incident. As the Ultim fleet surged out from Saint-Malo, the Actual Ultim 4, skippé by Anthony Marchand, had to halt its progression off the Irish coast. The 41-year-old skipper's team communicated on Monday, November 2, 2026, indicating that a “significant technical problem” was affecting the central rudder of the maxi-trimaran.
This stoppage comes barely 24 hours after the start of the transatlantic solo race. According to information shared by his team, the boat is currently at a standstill, with the technical crew assessing the exact nature of the damage. No decision has been announced yet regarding a possible repair or a return to port.
The central rudder is a crucial element for the stability and maneuverability of these ocean giants, designed to reach extreme speeds. A breakdown in this component can seriously compromise the skipper's safety and the continuation of the race. For Anthony Marchand, who was participating in his first Route du Rhum in an Ultim, this misadventure represents a blow after months of preparation.
The Ultim fleet, composed of the largest trimarans in offshore racing, is particularly exposed to mechanical stresses from the first hours of navigation, often in rough conditions in the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay. Anthony Marchand's team has not specified whether the skipper remained on board or if assistance was en route.
For now, the other competitors are continuing their route towards Pointe-à-Pitre. The Actual Ultim 4 incident reminds us of the fragility of these racing machines, where even the slightest breakdown can upend the most ambitious plans. The coming hours will be decisive in determining whether the Breton sailor will be able to return to sea or if he will have to abandon the race.
This stoppage comes barely 24 hours after the start of the transatlantic solo race. According to information shared by his team, the boat is currently at a standstill, with the technical crew assessing the exact nature of the damage. No decision has been announced yet regarding a possible repair or a return to port.
The central rudder is a crucial element for the stability and maneuverability of these ocean giants, designed to reach extreme speeds. A breakdown in this component can seriously compromise the skipper's safety and the continuation of the race. For Anthony Marchand, who was participating in his first Route du Rhum in an Ultim, this misadventure represents a blow after months of preparation.
The Ultim fleet, composed of the largest trimarans in offshore racing, is particularly exposed to mechanical stresses from the first hours of navigation, often in rough conditions in the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay. Anthony Marchand's team has not specified whether the skipper remained on board or if assistance was en route.
For now, the other competitors are continuing their route towards Pointe-à-Pitre. The Actual Ultim 4 incident reminds us of the fragility of these racing machines, where even the slightest breakdown can upend the most ambitious plans. The coming hours will be decisive in determining whether the Breton sailor will be able to return to sea or if he will have to abandon the race.
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Source: Ouest-France