On Sunday at 1:02 p.m., the 115 competitors in the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe will set sail off the coast of Saint-Malo. But for most skippers, race day will begin well before then, with the ULTIM boats passing through the locks on Friday, followed by the Ocean Fifty and IMOCA fleets on Saturday.

Anchoring, the final night ashore, boarding times, and weather routing: discover the five key points to understand how the start works and the rules of this major transatlantic race.

The departure sequence began late Friday afternoon, when the ULTIM boats passed through the locks of the Vauban basin. On Saturday, it will be the turn of the Ocean Fifty, Vintage Multi, Vintage Mono, and IMOCA fleets. The Class40 boats will be the only ones to leave the harbor on Sunday morning.

This staggered departure schedule has become essential with a fleet of more than 80 boats. The size of the ULTIM trimarans, which are particularly difficult to maneuver through the locks, means that an entire tidal window must be reserved for them. These staggered departures also provide a spectacle for spectators gathered around the locks and TV viewers, who will be able to watch the maneuvers live.

After passing through the locks, the competitors will head to their designated anchoring areas off the coast of Saint-Malo. The ULTIM and IMOCA boats will be anchored near Dinard. The Ocean Fifty boats, meanwhile, will spend Saturday night at the Bas-Sablons harbor, where fishing boats will have vacated their berths.

A safety zone will be established around the boats to prevent curious onlookers from getting too close.

Skippers will be on board as their boats pass through the locks, giving them one last chance to be close to the public before the start. Once the boats are at anchor, members of the technical teams will remain on board to keep watch.

Most sailors will then be able to return ashore and spend their final night on land, getting some rest before the start. They will rejoin their boats on Sunday morning.

On Sunday morning, only the Class40 boats will still need to pass through the locks to leave the harbor. The other competitors are not required to board at a specific time: each team can organize its schedule according to its crew, support boats, and anchoring location.

However, all competitors must be on the starting line at 1:02 p.m. One final rule applies to every skipper: they must be alone on board their boat four minutes before the starting signal.

Weather routing involves receiving weather information and strategic advice remotely to help choose the best course. In the Route du Rhum, this assistance is prohibited for monohulls, namely the IMOCA, Class40, and Vintage Mono boats. It is, however, allowed for multihulls: ULTIM, Ocean Fifty, and Vintage Multi.

This difference in the rules is mainly related to safety. Multihulls, which do not have a keel, are at risk of capsizing, which justifies allowing them to receive shore-based assistance. Routing teams generally include a meteorologist, a skipper, and a member of the technical team.

On November 1 at 1:02 p.m., players taking part in the Official Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe Game will also set sail from Saint-Malo, thanks to Virtual Regatta. Whether playing on a computer or mobile device, they will experience the same course, weather conditions, and routing decisions as the skippers in the real race.

Five classes are available: ULTIM, IMOCA, Ocean Fifty, Class40, and Vintage Multi. Registration is free, and players can still join the race after the start. The winner in each class will receive a trip to Guadeloupe courtesy of Corsair and Des Hôtels et des Îles. Six Alpina watches are also up for grabs.

Created for the 2006 Route du Rhum, Virtual Regatta is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. To take part in the Official Route du Rhum Game, visit the Virtual Regatta website.