Four sailors from Côtes-d'Armor will take the start of the Route du Rhum in Saint-Malo on 1 November 2026.
The grand start of the Route du Rhum will take place on Sunday 1 November 2026 in Saint-Malo, Ille-et-Vilaine. This edition will see four skippers from Côtes-d'Armor set off on the starting line, with varied profiles ranging from novices to race regulars.
Among them, Thierry Roger and Anthony Marchand will experience their first participation in this event. For these two sailors, the race represents an unprecedented challenge, both sportingly and personally. They join a fleet made up of experienced competitors and newcomers, all united by the same ambition of crossing the Atlantic solo.
Two other Côtes-d'Armor sailors, Guirec Soudée and Yves Courbon, will try the adventure again, four years after their last participation. This return to the starting line testifies to their attachment to this mythical race and their desire to measure themselves against the elements once again. The experience gained in previous editions could prove an asset in the face of the sometimes harsh conditions of this crossing.
The Route du Rhum, which links Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe, is one of the classics of the nautical calendar. It attracts skippers from all walks of life, from seasoned professionals to passionate amateurs. The 2026 edition promises to be particularly closely followed, with a lineup rich in diversity and talent.
For the four representatives of Côtes-d'Armor, the challenge will be to complete this legendary course in the best possible conditions. While performance remains a goal, solo sailing also requires rigorous management of sleep, equipment and resources. Each sailor will have to contend with the whims of the ocean and technical unforeseen events.
Beyond the competition, this participation highlights the dynamism of sailing in Côtes-d'Armor, a region strongly oriented towards the sea. The four skippers will carry their local colours on the pontoons of Saint-Malo, before heading out into Atlantic waters. The public, many of whom will attend the start, will follow their progress closely over the days.
Among them, Thierry Roger and Anthony Marchand will experience their first participation in this event. For these two sailors, the race represents an unprecedented challenge, both sportingly and personally. They join a fleet made up of experienced competitors and newcomers, all united by the same ambition of crossing the Atlantic solo.
Two other Côtes-d'Armor sailors, Guirec Soudée and Yves Courbon, will try the adventure again, four years after their last participation. This return to the starting line testifies to their attachment to this mythical race and their desire to measure themselves against the elements once again. The experience gained in previous editions could prove an asset in the face of the sometimes harsh conditions of this crossing.
The Route du Rhum, which links Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe, is one of the classics of the nautical calendar. It attracts skippers from all walks of life, from seasoned professionals to passionate amateurs. The 2026 edition promises to be particularly closely followed, with a lineup rich in diversity and talent.
For the four representatives of Côtes-d'Armor, the challenge will be to complete this legendary course in the best possible conditions. While performance remains a goal, solo sailing also requires rigorous management of sleep, equipment and resources. Each sailor will have to contend with the whims of the ocean and technical unforeseen events.
Beyond the competition, this participation highlights the dynamism of sailing in Côtes-d'Armor, a region strongly oriented towards the sea. The four skippers will carry their local colours on the pontoons of Saint-Malo, before heading out into Atlantic waters. The public, many of whom will attend the start, will follow their progress closely over the days.
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Source: Ouest-France