2026 Route du Rhum: breakdowns, capsizings and rescue operations

On November 4, 2026, Alexis Loison diverts after tearing off his starboard rudder on an unidentified object, while rescue operations are organized after the capsizings of Armel Le Cléac'h, Matthieu Perraut and Francis Joyon and Alexis Thomas calls in Spain after a breakdown. On November 5, a security setup is put in place around Guadeloupe for the skippers' arrival, then Violette Dorange makes her withdrawal official on November 6 after a collision at the start. On November 7, Tom Laperche is in the lead and expected in Pointe-à-Pitre, race direction reports a distress signal from Benoît Sineau without communication established, and Guadeloupe struggles to develop its offshore racing infrastructure. On November 8 and 9, Pierre Quiroga and Var skippers recount having crossed a storm, the recovery of Armel Le Cléac'h's sailboat is launched and Gilles Lamiré suffers a breakdown with breakage of his port float. On November 10 and 11, the Pilliard father and son continue despite collisions and breakdowns, four artificial intelligences take part in the race, the Var skippers progress, then Alexia Barrier becomes the first woman to finish in the Ultim category.