Magazine examines race's broader impacts
Issue 873 of Sport Stratégies explores the environmental and financial aspects of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, going beyond the race itself to consider its long-term effects, including budgetary costs, carbon emissions, and the future of the boats used in the event.New trimaran joins the competition
The magazine highlights the Gitana 18, a new maxi-trimaran developed for the race, which Charles Caudrelier will sail for the first time in a full-scale event. The boat required 18 million euros in funding, over 200,000 hours of work, and involved more than 200 people. The previous boat, Gitana 17, which won in 2022, will now be sailed by Actual.Environmental impact under scrutiny
A key focus of the issue is the environmental footprint of the 2022 race, which was calculated at 53,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by Carbone 4. Nearly 77 percent of these emissions came from the movement of the boats, and 49 percent from road trips to the start village. Stéphane Bourrut Lacouture noted that half of the upcoming emissions reductions are not entirely within the organizers' control.Sustainability initiatives featured
The magazine spotlights several sustainability efforts, including Ocean Fifty's proposal to introduce a "sobriety ranking" into the championship with the same weight as a Grand Prix. UpWind by MerConcept highlights Anne-Claire Le Berre, one of only seven women to compete in a multihull, and also collects phytoplankton for research. Use It Again features Romain and Titouan Pilliard, who sail restored boats, while Tara Océan warns against superficial "greenwashing" of environmental claims.Financial and sponsorship angles
The issue also delves into the financial and sponsorship aspects of the race. Nicolas Rouger discusses the Freelance.com, a boat that won the Route du Rhum in 2010, and how its sail was sold by the square meter. IBA Capital Partners and KIASSURE invested in the artwork before funding the sports program. ZEISS Vision Care joins as a partner due to its location near Saint-Malo and its network of opticians.Educational and technological elements
The FFVoile schoolbag program is included, engaging 175,000 students through the Virtual Vendée Globe. OC Sport Pen Duick has extended the program with a map designed for younger audiences. Other topics include François Gabart's wooden bike and Conrad Colman's fundraising for The Ocean Race, along with interviews with athletes and experts on various aspects of sailing and technology.
