Sailorz asks experts on Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe 2026

Sailorz, a sailing publication, invited a group of experts to analyze the upcoming Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe 2026 in the Imoca class. The panel included past winners like Paul Meilhat (2018) and Thomas Ruyant (2022), as well as current skippers such as Yoann Richomme, Nicolas Lunven, Romain Attanasio, and Justine Mettraux.

Fewer competitors in 2026

The 2026 edition of the race will see 22 Imoca boats starting from Saint-Malo on November 1st, heading to Pointe-à-Pitre. This is a significant drop from the record 38 participants in 2022. Thomas Ruyant, the reigning champion, explained that many skippers are unable to commit due to economic uncertainty, despite growing public interest in the event.

Top favorites identified

Experts agree on the top contenders for the race: Jérémie Beyou, Sam Goodchild, and Ambrogio Beccaria. Jérémie Beyou, cited as the favorite four times out of six, has a strong case due to his boat, Charal, which underwent a major overhaul. His performance in recent races, particularly the Transat Café L'Or, has impressed many, including Nicolas Lunven, who praised the boat's rudder system.

Charal's strengths and challenges

Thomas Ruyant noted that Jérémie Beyou has become the most mature skipper-boat pair, and the Route du Rhum suits him well due to its intensity. Paul Meilhat, however, pointed out that the Manuard plan used by Beyou is more complex for solo sailing, requiring significant steering. Meilhat also suggested that Beyou's motivation to win his last race with Charal could be a key factor.

Sam Goodchild's reliability

Sam Goodchild is seen as a safe bet by many experts, including Romain Attanasio, who praised his consistency and the performance of his boat, Macif Santé Prévoyance. Nicolas Lunven highlighted the boat's advantage in downwind legs and transitions. Justine Mettraux noted that if conditions are favorable, Goodchild could take an early lead.

Ambrogio Beccaria's potential

Ambrogio Beccaria is also considered a strong contender. Yoann Richomme noted that while Beccaria still has to improve his boat's performance in downwind legs, his aggressive style and recent victory in the Vendée Arctique have boosted his confidence. Thomas Ruyant praised his former boat, Koch, which has been optimized for speed.

Other contenders

Several other skippers are mentioned as potential top-5 finishers, including Corentin Horeau, whose boat has shown strong performance in heavy weather. The new Imoca boats, Malizia 4 and Groupe Dubreuil-Air Caraïbes, are still being tested, and their reliability is uncertain. Experts believe Boris Herrmann might be a disruptor, while Sébastien Simon's chances are less certain.

Women in the race

Female skippers such as Violette Dorange, Elodie Bonafous, and Francesca Clapcich are gaining recognition. Experts like Nicolas Lunven and Justine Mettraux praised their progress and potential, noting that more women are competing at the top level, which is a positive development for the sport.

Expert predictions

Based on the analysis, the top three predicted finishers are Jérémie Beyou, Sam Goodchild, and Ambrogio Beccaria.