Jérémie Beyou's final Route du Rhum

Jérémie Beyou is preparing for his fifth Route du Rhum, a solo transatlantic race from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe. This will be his last race with his longtime boat, Charal, before he moves to the Ultim class, a category of much larger and faster yachts.

Beyou's goals and reflections

Beyou told AFP that he wants to improve on his previous results and feels he has the advantages to succeed. He has been sailing with Charal for nearly a decade and won the last major race between Imoca monohulls, the Transat Café L'Or, at the end of 2025.

Route du Rhum and Beyou's legacy

The 13th edition of the Route du Rhum will start on November 1st. Beyou sees this race as completing a cycle, eight years after he launched the first Imoca with large foils in the 2018 edition, a technology now widely used in the class.

Refit and upgrades to Charal 2

After his recent victory in Martinique, Beyou ensured the Charal 2 underwent a six-month refit in Lorient. The boat was modified to be more stable at high speeds and reduce drag, involving cutting the hull in half and replacing it, a significant engineering effort at a lower cost than building a new boat.

Beyou's recent sailing activities

To stay connected to the sea, Beyou briefly returned to the Figaro circuit this year, a class he knows well from his three Solitaire victories. He said this helped him regain his reflexes and prepare for the challenges of the Route du Rhum.

Beyou's future in Ultim class

After thirty years of racing, including five Vendée Globe participations, Beyou remains passionate about sailing. He now aims to secure financial support for his transition to the Ultim class, where he hopes to prove his capabilities with a strong performance in the Route du Rhum.