Baptiste Hulin, a 29-year-old sailor, is set to compete in the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe, a solo transatlantic race taking place on November 1st. This is his second attempt at the event, having previously participated in the Class40 category, where he finished 18th. Hulin is one of 11 sailors competing in the Ocean Fifty class, a category designed for solo racing yachts. The race, which starts from Saint-Malo in Brittany and ends in Guadeloupe, is one of the most prestigious solo sailing events in the world. Hulin joined the Viabilis Océans team in 2024 after Pierre Quiroga, the originally chosen skipper, stepped down. He described his transition as challenging, requiring a lot of effort to gain control of the boat and learn from experienced sailors such as Corentin Horeau, Léonard Legrand, Yann Eliès, and Thomas Rouxel. Hulin and Rouxel sailed together for a year, and their partnership continues both on the water and on land, providing Hulin with valuable support and experience. To prepare for the race, Hulin and his team restructured their operations, working closely with Arnaud Gotreau, the president of Viabilis. The boat was relaunched on June 12, and Hulin took his first solo sailing trip through the Fastnet, a significant milestone that boosted his confidence. He finished fourth in the Dream-Cup, a small victory considering the limited time for preparation. Throughout the summer, the team focused on making the most of available wind conditions, sailing in winds exceeding 20 knots whenever possible. Last week, they concluded their preparation with the 24h Ultim race, where Hulin was disappointed with his seventh-place finish but saw it as an opportunity to identify areas for improvement. Hulin believes that nearly all the competitors are capable of winning, with 4-5 teams having a realistic chance to secure the top spot. He noted that the class has seen a significant influx of new talent, with nine of the 11 competitors being newcomers. This indicates that younger sailors are making a strong impact in the race. For Hulin, the Route du Rhum is more than just a competition; it is a deeply personal event. Although he is not originally from Saint-Malo, he has fond memories of the city and its maritime culture from his childhood. He is excited that the event is taking place at home, adding to his sense of confidence and motivation. Hulin also expressed admiration for Franck Cammas' victory on Groupama 3 and recalled the challenges of the 2018 race, which was marked by dangerous conditions and several capsizes. Over the past three years, he has worked to overcome his fears, and he plans to remain calm and vigilant if the race starts in challenging weather conditions. Hulin's long-term goal is to return in four years and evolve the Viabilis Océans project, potentially opening it to new partners. The success of the current boat, which has performed well in major offshore races since 2017, will influence whether the team continues to use the same Ocean Fifty model for the next cycle.