After a favorable start, the 2026 Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe is now in full swing. The first 48 hours have been marked by impressive speeds, several technical failures and emergency situations, while competitors begin to work out their options for crossing the Atlantic.

From the Ultim and Class40 boats to the Ocean Fifty, IMOCA and Vintage classes, the fleet is heading southwest in demanding conditions. As the boats approach the Azores, weather-related decisions could now prove just as important as boat speed.

The race quickly lost its appearance of calm. Quentin Le Nabour (Bleu Blanc Planète Location) dismasted while he was among the top five Class40 competitors. The skipper was unharmed and secured his boat before heading for the nearest port.

In the Ultim class, Anthony Marchand (Actual Ultim 4) suffered major damage to his central rudder, resulting in a critical failure of the steering system. After stabilizing the situation with his shore team, he headed for Ireland to have his trimaran assessed and repaired.

The collision shortly after the start between Romain Pilliard (Use It Again) and Violette Dorange (Initiatives Cœur) forced both skippers to stop in Roscoff. Damage to Romain Pilliard's boat is extensive, while Violette Dorange's IMOCA has a damaged starboard foil and a leak. Her team sealed the hull to allow her to return to Lorient.

In the Class40 fleet, Marco Guerra (Imagin'Act-Socomec) headed to Port-La-Forêt for a technical stop after experiencing keel problems, a leak and electronic failures.

On Monday afternoon, Francis Joyon capsized aboard his ORMA Oceans. Safe and unharmed, he was rescued that evening by the cargo ship Maersk Columbus and is heading for Ireland, where he is expected to disembark.

Aboard SVR-Lazartigue, Tom Laperche covered 775 nautical miles in 24 hours and leads the Ultim fleet as the boats approach the Azores. Armel Le Cléac'h (Maxi Banque Populaire XI) and Thomas Coville (Sodebo Ultim 3) complete the top three.

However, competitors have had to contend with a trough and a sharp wind transition, which temporarily caused speeds to drop. Conditions remain challenging, with winds of around 30 to 35 knots and confused seas.

While in fourth place, Charles Caudrelier (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild) reported major damage to his port foil. The skipper is doing well and is working to secure his boat with the help of his technical team.

Looking ahead, several options are emerging: continue gybing in the north-northeasterly flow or sail around a ridge of high pressure to find stronger winds farther west. The next weather transitions could change the gaps between competitors.

Basile Bourgnon (Edenred) recorded a peak speed of 43.1 knots, demonstrating the performance of the Ocean Fifty trimarans. Despite the demanding conditions, the skipper is maintaining a fast pace and managing to get some rest thanks to his boat's ergonomic design.

The Ocean Fifty fleet will soon have to deal with a wind shift of nearly 180 degrees before crossing a narrow pressure corridor. A poor position in this area could cost valuable nautical miles.

In the standings, Basile Bourgnon leads ahead of Thibaut Vauchel-Camus (Solidaires en Peloton by Delanchy) and Pierre Quiroga (WeWise).

In the IMOCA class, Corentin Horeau (MACSF) has taken the lead ahead of Francesca Clapcich (11th Hour Racing) and Ambrogio Beccaria (Allagrande MAPEI). Beccaria, still among the top three, is dealing with a water leak in the aft section of his boat, a broken stove and shifting winds that are making progress more difficult.

The IMOCA fleet will soon have to negotiate a significant wind shift and a narrow pressure corridor, in conditions that will require both vigilance and power.

The Class40 boats are already following very different routes, with more than 300 nautical miles separating the northernmost and southernmost options. Stéphane Bodin (Wasabiii), 32nd in the Class40 standings, is at the northern edge of the fleet, while Vincent Riou (Pierreval – Fondation GoodPlanet), in 46th place, has chosen the southernmost route.

Weather models remain uncertain, particularly because of a complex low-pressure system expected near the Azores. Skippers will have to adjust their strategies as new forecasts become available. In the standings, Thimoté Polet (Team Zeiss) leads ahead of Luca Rosetti (Maccaferri Futura) and Robin Follin (Solano).

Aboard Cigare Rouge, Sidney Gavignet faced a challenging situation when his autopilot disengaged while sailing under spinnaker in winds of 25 to 30 knots. The boat rounded up, forcing the skipper to take manual control, lower the sail and switch to the backup system. He also suffered minor rib injuries after falling into a cockpit hatch.

The incident reminded him of his monohull's limitations and the need to protect both boat and sailor without giving up on his ambitions.

In Vintage Multi, Damien Seguin (Arkéa – Handicap International) leads ahead of Éric Péron (French Touch Oceans Club). In Vintage Mono, Kieran Le Borgne (Armor-Lux – Le Finistère Assurance) was in the lead at the latest verified position report.

In the Ultim class, Tom Laperche leads ahead of Armel Le Cléac'h and Louis Burton. In the IMOCA class, Corentin Horeau is ahead of Francesca Clapcich and Ambrogio Beccaria. Basile Bourgnon leads the Ocean Fifty fleet, while Thimoté Polet is at the top of the Class40 standings.

Kieran Le Borgne leads the Vintage Mono class, while Damien Seguin is first in Vintage Multi.

After two fast-paced days, competitors are entering a more uncertain phase. The low-pressure system expected near the Azores, shifting winds and route options could reshuffle the standings. Between performance, repairs and sleep management, the Route du Rhum is already forcing sailors to find the right balance between speed and caution.