A temporary repair starts peeling away as rough weather sets in. With reduced speed and extra precautions, the sailor keeps navigating toward one goal: bringing the boat safely to the team's base in Lorient. #Sailing #RoughSeas #SailboatRepair #StormPreparation

From benign to brutal in just four days. The Route du Rhum 2026 has taken a dramatic turn. After a deceptively straightforward start off Saint-Malo, the world's biggest solo transatlantic race is beginning to show its teeth. Three multihull capsizes, major retirements and a string of setbacks have transformed the picture across the fleet. Even the offshore legends and rock stars have found themselves challenged, some have been forced to retire.. But it's not just the incidents making headlines. An awkward Atlantic weather pattern has created a tactical puzzle, with skippers choosing radically different routes, some making remarkable gains while others struggle to escape the light winds. In the Ultims, IMOCAs, Ocean Fifty trimarans and Class40s, fortunes are changing fast — and the race to Guadeloupe is far from settled. How did such a gentle beginning turn into such a demanding first four days? And what do the skippers themselves make of it all? In our second Route du Rhum 2026 race report we look at the latest developments, onboard accounts and analysis of a race that's already proving remarkably unpredictable. CHAPTERS 00:00 From Benign to Brutal – Three Capsizes in Four Days 01:35 Armel Le Cléac'h – The Banque Populaire Capsize 03:32 Ultim Race – Tom Laperche Leads, Coville Heads South 04:43 Thomas Coville – A Rival in Trouble 08:36 Technical Troubles and Ocean Fifty Drama 11:07 IMOCA – Beyou Retires, Horeau Breaks Away 13:47 The Atlantic Weather Trap – Chasing the Wind 16:13 Frustration at Sea – A Race Against the Front 20:20 Damage, Repairs and the Fight to Stay Racing 21:49 Life Aboard – Survival, Strategy and the Miles Ahead Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

Sunshine, flat seas and a gentle following breeze. The Route du Rhum 2026 couldn't have started in more benign conditions. But it didn’t last long. For the fleet of 115 boats in six classes the 6km start line saw a single mass start. And as the gun was fired the world's biggest single-handed transatlantic race was underway off Saint-Malo in spectacular style. But within hours, the first setbacks were beginning to emerge. A collision, a dismasting, serious technical problems and a dramatic rescue would all feature in the opening 48 hours. Meanwhile, the racing was already heating up. The giant Ultim trimarans were stretching their legs, the IMOCA fleet was developing into a fascinating contest and the Class40s were proving just how closely matched they could be. And then there was the weather. With an unusually complicated Atlantic pattern and the traditional route to Guadeloupe looking far from straightforward, this could be a very different Route du Rhum. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Route du Rhum 2026: A Calm Before the Storm 01:12 – 115 Boats, One Start, and Early Drama 02:40 – The Race Takes a Dramatic Turn 03:02 – Violette Dorange and Romain Pilliard Collide 05:19 – Class40 Drama and the Ultim Leaders 07:06 – Foil Damage Threatens Anthony Marchand’s Race 08:08 – High-Speed Racing and Fierce Competition 09:45 – Rescues, Retirements and an Uncertain Atlantic

How extreme can offshore racing monohulls get? And when the boats are this fast, what does it take to win? In Part 3 of our Route du Rhum 2026 coverage, we take a close look at the extraordinary monohull fleets preparing for the 3,500-mile solo transatlantic race from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe. From the latest foiling IMOCA 60s to the radical scow-bowed Class40s and the remarkable variety of vintage monohulls, this is a fascinating story of design evolution, fierce competition and the sailors pushing these boats to their limits. We catch up with Sam Goodchild, who explains why his current IMOCA MACIF remains competitive, what the team has learned about flying offshore and why the Route du Rhum could be a very different contest from the races we've seen this season. Sam also assesses the competition, including Jérémie Beyou, Boris Herrmann, Sébastien Simon and Francesca Clapcich, and explains how an unusual Atlantic weather pattern could influence the race. Then we turn to the 49 strong Class40 fleet, where the design revolution has produced some extraordinary hull shapes. Why have scow bows become so dominant? How do these almost square-looking boats perform upwind? And what's it actually like living aboard a boat that slams from wave to wave? We hear from one of the leading Class40 skippers Pep Costa about the remarkable performance of the latest designs, the compromises they demand and why there could be as many as 10–15 serious contenders. We also take a closer look at the subtle details separating different generations of Class40s, including the increasingly aggressive chines and the design trade-offs between upwind and downwind performance. Finally, we explore the vintage monohulls, where legendary sailors and extraordinary boats provide a wonderful contrast to the latest offshore racing machines — from Cigare Rouge to the unmistakable aluminium Kriter VIII. Different generations, different design philosophies and some of the most competitive racing in the entire fleet. Welcome to the monohulls of the Route du Rhum 2026. CHAPTERS 00:00 Route du Rhum 2026: The monohulls 01:24 IMOCA: Sam Goodchild on the competition 02:40 Finding the final 5% of performance 04:01 Who are the IMOCA favourites? 06:31 An unusual Atlantic weather forecast 07:43 Class40: The design revolution 09:40 Why scow bows changed everything 13:21 Who can win in Class40? 15:14 The secrets of modern Class40 hulls 16:56 Vintage monohulls and legendary boats 17:39 The start and the race ahead

Eight giant Ultims, a fleet of spectacular Ocean 50s and a collection of legendary Vintage Multis. In the Route du Rhum 2026, no two multihulls are quite alike and picking a winner is anything but straightforward. From the latest generation of giant foiling trimarans to proven ocean record-breakers, the multihull fleet is a fascinating mix of radical design, raw power, experience and ambition. But which approach will prove fastest on the solo Atlantic crossing from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe? In Part 2 of our Route du Rhum 2026 series, we take a closer look at the extraordinary variety of boats preparing for one of offshore sailing's biggest events. We hear from the skipper of the fastest team to sail around the world and the holders of the Jules Verne trophy Thomas Coville about why the Ultim fleet is so difficult to predict. Plus, we consider the arrival of Gitana 18 on the scene and the influence that Charles Caudrelier’s radical new machine may have in the race. We also look at the formidable Ocean Fifty trimarans — half the length of the Ultims but exceptionally powerful, demanding boats. We swing by the Vintage Multis, where legendary machines from an earlier era of offshore racing continue to draw some of the biggest names in the sport with the likes of Francis Joyon and Damien Seguin, offering a fascinating contrast with today's cutting-edge foilers. And we meet solo record holder Guirec Soudée, whose extraordinary adventures include sailing his Ultim around the world against the prevailing winds and currents. He explains the challenges of handling such a powerful boat alone and why he's taking on the Route du Rhum. Different generations. Different technologies. Different ambitions but one extraordinary race across the Atlantic. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction – Exploring the Route du Rhum Fleet 01:35 Sodebo and Thomas Coville Interview 04:40 SVR-Lazartigue, Gitana 18 and Charles Caudrelier 08:02 Banque Populaire, Actual and IDEC Sport 11:55 Foiling Technology and the Ocean50 Class 13:00 Vintage Multihulls and ORMA 60s 14:59 Guirec Soudée's Ultim and Round-the-World Challenge 16:06 Cape Horn, Weather Routing and Ocean Records 19:29 Route du Rhum Race Strategy and Weather 21:00 Arkéa Ultim Challenge, Capsize Risks and Final Thoughts

'if you're in a hurry, take your time." Handling a giant boat means making rapid decisions while watching the weather, instruments, and nearby vessels. Before each gybe, careful preparation helps conserve energy and protect both sailor and boat. 🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/xcQwK1w0VjU #Sailing #OffshoreSailing #SailingSkills #BoatHandling

A 34-meter mast and a 120-kilo sail reveal the scale of this boat. Hoisting a JZero takes an hour—from hauling it out of the bag to unfurling and trimming it. 🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/xcQwK1w0VjU #Sailing #Sailboat #OceanRacing #SailingLife

The Route du Rhum is no ordinary race. Every four years, the French port of St Malo becomes the centre of the offshore sailing world as huge crowds gather to watch a fleet of solo skippers prepare to race 3,500 miles across the Atlantic to Guadeloupe. But behind the spectacle are the individual stories of the sailors who have spent years working towards this moment.

Two remarkable sailors. Two ambitious campaigns. One of the biggest challenges in offshore racing. The Route du Rhum is no ordinary race. Every four years, the French port of St Malo becomes the centre of the offshore sailing world as huge crowds gather to watch a fleet of solo skippers prepare to race 3,500 miles across the Atlantic to Guadeloupe. But behind the spectacle are the individual stories of the sailors who have spent years working towards this moment. In the first of our PlanetSail Route du Rhum 2026 previews, we catch up with Alexia Barrier and Francesca Clapcich, two impressive offshore racers whose determination, experience and ambition reveal just what it takes to mount a campaign for this legendary event. How have their campaigns developed? What have been the biggest challenges along the way? And how do they see the race ahead? We hear their stories and discover what drives them to take on one of the most demanding races in the sport. Over the coming days we'll be looking at the fleets, the favourites, the technology and the personalities before following the race across the Atlantic in the 2026 Route du Rhumb. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:32 Why the Route du Rhum is such a big deal 02:27 Francesca Clapcich – A remarkable season 05:08 Building momentum towards the Route du Rhum 07:01 The challenge of racing solo across the Atlantic 10:17 Alexia Barrier – From round-the-world record to the Rhum 13:03 Getting to grips with a giant Ultim 16:03 The challenges of competing in the Ultim fleet 18:45 Childhood dreams and future ambitions

Having flown Gitana 18 we also discovered what the key people behind this extraordinary new Ultim really think of her. Following on from our previous feature, We Fly Gitana 18, we go behind the scenes with skipper Charles Caudrelier and Design Office Director Sébastien Sainson to hear their firsthand assessment of the radical 32-metre foiling trimaran as the team prepares for its first major challenge: the Route du Rhum. And there are some fascinating revelations. From extraordinary stability and control at speeds of 45 knots and beyond to the complex new foil and rudder systems, Gitana 18 is already delivering some remarkable results — including a few surprises for the team itself. But not everything is perfect. There are compromises, technical challenges and a huge amount still to learn. Charles believes it will take at least two years to unlock the boat's full potential. At the point where we sailed her, the team had just weeks before the start of the Route du Rhum….now it’s just days. So how ready is Gitana 18? What's working better than expected? Where are the weaknesses? And how much more performance is still to come? In this exclusive follow-up, we hear directly from the skipper and design office director about the realities of developing one of the most ambitious offshore racing boats ever built. Watch our first feature, We Fly Gitana 18: [Insert link] #Gitana18 #RouteDuRhum #CharlesCaudrelier #Ultim #Foiling #OffshoreSailing CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction — Gitana 18: The Real Story 01:28 Charles Caudrelier — Learning a New Ultim 01:54 Why Gitana 18 Is Still a Work in Progress 03:59 The Challenge of Sailing Such a Complex Boat 05:30 Designing Systems for Solo Sailing 06:24 Development Plans and the Round-the-World Challenge 07:12 Revolutionary Rudders — Control at 40+ Knots 09:30 The Challenges of Manoeuvring at Low Speed 10:55 Flying Higher and Faster in Heavy Seas 12:10 Inside Gitana 18's Revolutionary Foils 14:25 The Central Daggerboard — A Technical Challenge 15:28 Developing the Rudders and Steering Systems 17:40 The Transition to Foiling 19:30 Autopilot, Rig Stiffness and the Adjustable Mast 20:40 Changing Sail Power While Foiling 22:15 What's Next for Gitana 18? 23:05 Final Thoughts with Charles Caudrelier 23:35 Docktalk - Nautor Swan — A Different Kind of Performance Yacht MORE ON GITANA 18 We Fly Gitana 18 https://youtu.be/KFIqv2fRm1M Gitana 18 flies for the first time - Plus we get inside https://youtu.be/exDf7YPiNtA On Board Face to face with the skipper of Gitana 18 Charles Caudrelier https://youtu.be/g09UFIk7lvQ Next Generation Beasts https://youtu.be/ZjiGtwd8q4Q Launched Why Gitana 18 could be the fastest offshore boat ever and how to sleep at over 40 knots...alone https://youtu.be/7Kt2FmSijbs Gitana 18 - Is this the world’s fastest offshore trimaran? https://youtu.be/sTS31Tpi6uM

I've sailed some extraordinary high-performance boats over the years, but Gitana 18 is on another level. Having followed this remarkable project from the earliest design stages, I was invited aboard to sail her and take the helm. With the Route du Rhum fast approaching, we were given a rare opportunity to join Charles Caudrelier and the Gitana team for one of their final days of sea trials off Lorient, France. For a boat that has already generated so much interest, this was a very special invitation — and an extraordinary opportunity to discover first-hand what Gitana 18 is really like under sail. And then we started flying. From her extraordinary foiling systems and innovative rudders to the remarkably light and responsive steering, Gitana 18 represents a major step forward in the development of offshore racing trimarans. The Route du Rhum will be Gitana 18's first major competitive test, and with so much anticipation surrounding this groundbreaking boat, all eyes will be on how she performs. So, here's what we found out about the giant blue beast. Plus, we have another helping of Docktalk too CHAPTERS 00:00 First Sail on Gitana 18 01:33 Introducing the Radical New Trimaran 02:35 Leaving the Dock and Hoisting Sail 04:25 The Revolutionary Foil Design 06:00 How Gitana 18's Foils Work 10:45 Rudders, Steering and Boat Handling 13:00 Tacking a Giant Racing Trimaran 17:00 Mast Trim and Electric Steering 20:30 Building Speed – Gitana 18 Takes Flight! 24:20 Final Impressions and the Technology Behind Gitana 18 DOCKTALK 25:52 – Quantum - A new approach for performance cats 26:57 – Advanced Mechanical Solutions More on Gitana 18 Gitana 18 flies for the first time - Plus we get inside https://youtu.be/exDf7YPiNtA On Board Face to face with the skipper of Gitana 18 Charles Caudrelier https://youtu.be/g09UFIk7lvQ Next Generation Beasts https://youtu.be/ZjiGtwd8q4Q Launched Why Gitana 18 could be the fastest offshore boat ever and how to sleep at over 40 knots...alone https://youtu.be/7Kt2FmSijbs Gitana 18 - Is this the world’s fastest offshore trimaran? https://youtu.be/sTS31Tpi6uM

We go behind the scenes at the French America’s Cup base in Naples for a first look at how the team is preparing for the 38th America’s Cup. The French are ahead of the game. They’re the first team to have an AC75 inside their Naples base, the boat had already completed around 10–12 days of sailing before it arrived and now the team is preparing to get back on the water in Naples in the coming weeks. We meet Head of Operations Emilie Llorens to find out what it takes to build and run an America’s Cup base, and Technical Director Antoine Carraz explains where the team is with its AC75 and what comes next. It’s a very different picture from their last America’s Cup campaign, when the French arrived last into Barcelona with a new boat to an existing Kiwi design but they were the first team to be eliminated. This time they have more time, more preparation and some valuable miles already under their belt. There’s still a long way to go, but one thing is clear: the French are giving us plenty of reasons to take them seriously this time around. CHAPTERS 00:29 – Inside the French America’s Cup Base 02:42 – France Gets a Head Start 03:44 – Building an America’s Cup Base 05:56 – First AC75 in the Base 08:36 – What Happens Next? 09:17 – From Last to First 12:39 – Why the French Look Serious Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

Who Rules Naples? The final day of the AC Preliminary Regatta in Naples delivered the showdown the home crowd had been hoping for. After a shifting south-westerly breeze delayed the start, Luna Rossa came out firing. A superb pin-end start set up victory in Race 7, before another commanding performance in Race 8 confirmed what had been apparent throughout the regatta: the Italians had serious pace. Then came the final. Luna Rossa versus Emirates Team New Zealand — a match-up carrying plenty of history and featuring former teammates going head-to-head once again. The Kiwis controlled the approach to the start, but Luna Rossa hit the line better and never looked back. They stretched their advantage around the course, eventually leading by more than 300 metres as the Naples crowd celebrated a memorable home victory. Behind the leading pair, the French continued to impress, overcoming two retirements during the regatta to finish third overall. Naples has given us our first clues about the new America’s Cup pecking order. Luna Rossa looked fast, polished and confident. The Kiwis remain firmly in the picture. The French have shown they are a team to watch. But the next stage raises the stakes again, as the teams move into their newly reconfigured AC75s. CHAPTERS 00:00 Race Day 3 – The Decider 00:30 A Change in the Weather 01:01 Race 7 – Luna Rossa vs the Kiwis 02:37 Race 8 – One Last Fleet Battle 03:35 The French Fight Back 04:55 GB1 – A Game of Inches 06:37 The Final – Luna Rossa vs ETNZ 08:20 Kiwis React to the Final 09:57 From AC40s to AC75s 11:17 What We Learned in Naples 12:13 What Comes Next Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

After a difficult opener, the second day of the Americas Cup Preliminary Regatta in Naples looked set to be a belter. Decent breeze, sunshine and a race course with plenty of options, Naples looked set to deliver a superb spectacle for the weekend. And that’s precisely what happened. Four races back to back and more place changes than we’re used to seeing in a season of racing, Day 2 in Naples was special. Here’s how the day panned out along with the comments and analysis of of the key players in the teams themselves.

AC38 Preliminary #2 got off to a frustrating start as light and fickle winds left the fleet waiting for hours – and forced two races to be abandoned. But when the breeze finally arrived, the action came alive. ARC Team USA kept their cool to take a landmark victory in their first official race of the America’s Cup cycle, holding off Peter Burling’s Luna Rossa and GB2. Race 2 brought more drama as the breeze built to 18 knots. The French jumped the start before a dramatic nose dive and capsize ended their day, while Luna Rossa took control at the front and stretched away to another impressive win. Two very different races, a breakthrough American victory, a French capsize and plenty of high-speed action once the wind finally decided to play ball. Here’s how Day 1 of AC38 Preliminary #2 unfolded. CHAPTERS 01:51 Third Time Lucky 02:08 USA Takes Control 02:33 USA Strikes First 02:45 Inside USA’s Breakthrough Win 04:20 Race 2 – 18 Knots & Drama 04:26 French Capsize 05:20 Luna Rossa Takes Control 06:19 The Kiwis React 07:45 Day 1 Standings Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

Practice day has given us our first real opportunity to watch the teams on the same waters ahead of the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta — and to start looking for the early signs of form. Who looks settled? Who looks fast? And what, if anything, can we read into the performances before the racing begins? We take a snapshot of the fleet after practice and look at the first indications from Naples. Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

America’s Cup racing comes to Naples this week, with the second preliminary event giving us our first real taste of what’s to come when the city hosts the America’s Cup in 2027. But what will an America’s Cup in Naples actually look and feel like — and what should you know if you’re planning to come next year? We take to the streets to experience Naples from an America’s Cup visitor’s perspective, before making the journey out to Bagnoli — the future heart of the event and home to the team bases and main America’s Cup centre. Right now, it’s very much a work in progress. We see Bagnoli as it stands today, get a sense of the scale of the transformation underway and take a first-person look at the huge waterfront site that will become the centrepiece of the 2027 America’s Cup. And then there’s one of the big practical questions for fans: how do you actually get there? Bagnoli is around six miles from the centre of Naples, so we make the journey ourselves and explore what getting to the Cup could involve. With racing taking place in Naples this week, this is our first look at the city that will host the America’s Cup next year — on the ground, as it is today, and with an eye on what awaits in 2027. CHAPTERS 00:00 America’s Cup Naples – First Look 00:44 Exploring Naples Ahead of 2027 01:44 Why Bagnoli Changes Everything 02:55 What Will Naples Be Like for the Cup? 03:38 Getting to Bagnoli 04:29 We Arrive at the America’s Cup Site 05:02 Bagnoli – The Future Home of the Cup 06:44 The Best Way Back to Naples 07:35 Why Naples Could Be Something Special 08:18 Preliminary Regatta #2 – What to Expect 08:50 The Teams Racing in Naples 09:52 Conditions & What’s Ahead Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

A new IMOCA cycle is underway and the Défi Azimut offered the first real glimpse of what could be coming. With new boats, heavily modified machines and some of offshore sailing’s biggest names lining up in Lorient, the 2026 Défi Azimut was far more than a showcase. The event began with the spectacular speed runs, where the 17-boat fleet completed 80 runs in just three hours. Sam Goodchild and MACIF Santé Prévoyance topped the rankings with an extraordinary average of 32.1 knots over the one-mile course — a new event record. Then came the main test: a 560-mile solo race into the Bay of Biscay. Goodchild once again set the pace, battling Ambrogio Beccaria, Jérémie Beyou, Corentin Horeau, Violette Dorange and a fleet packed with new and updated IMOCAs. After one day and 14 hours at sea, Goodchild crossed the finish line first before completing a dominant Défi Azimut with another victory in the Tour de Groix. But behind the results lies a bigger story. With the 2028 Vendée Globe cycle now underway and the Route du Rhum approaching, new boats, new names and a changing IMOCA pecking order are beginning to emerge. This is what the Défi Azimut revealed about the fleet — and why this short, intense event matters far beyond Lorient. 00:00 Why This 48-Hour Race Matters 01:47 IMOCA Speed Runs 02:56 Sam Goodchild Sets a New Record 03:50 560 Miles Solo in the Atlantic 05:18 The Race Turns Tactical 07:01 Winners, Rivals and What’s Next Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is one of the biggest showcases of high-performance maxi yacht racing and this year, one radical new arrival turned heads from the moment she hit the racecourse. This year the 2026 event attracted 50 yachts racing across six classes, including a multihull fleet as Porto Cervo once again brought together some of the most spectacular carbon-fibre racing machines in the world. But two yachts stood out. The all-new 76ft Judel/Vrolijk-designed North Star III arrived with an extraordinary specification. Developed and built in secret over two years, she features a canting keel, a fully powered deck layout with no conventional grinding pedestals, a twistable mast, a distinctive sunken deck and an innovative central pit pod. It’s an ambitious approach — and one that comes with the highest rating in the Maxi Grand Prix class. So, for her first event, there was one big question: would the gamble pay off? At the other end of the spectrum, the 19-year-old Leopard 3 proved that you don’t have to be new to attract attention. Continually reconfigured and refined throughout her career, she remains one of the most recognisable maxis in the fleet, with an impressive list of victories and records behind her. We take a closer look at the boats, technology and racing that made the 2026 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup one to remember. CHAPTERS 00:00 Extreme Machines 00:29 The Heart of Maxi Racing 02:14 Inside the Grand Prix Fleet 03:22 NorthStar III: The Radical Newcomer 03:35 What Makes NorthStar III Different? 04:35 Would the Gamble Pay Off? 05:25 Leopard 3: The 19-Year-Old Legend 05:45 19 Years of Evolution 06:39 Has the Maxi Game Changed? Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan

A fast Atlantic sprint. Punishing conditions. Breakdowns, tactical reshuffles and a four-boat fight that went right down to the wire. But most of all, the big question on many people’s minds, are the new boats quicker? The Ocean Race Atlantic from New York to Lorient may have been short by IMOCA standards, but it delivered plenty of drama. Boris Herrmann’s Malizia saw their charge compromised after hitting something in the water and damaging the system controlling the port foil. Embrace the Challenge suffered a blown-out mainsail. And at the front, shifting winds and a high-pressure system compressed the fleet and turned the final stages into an intense tactical battle. With 11th Hour Racing, DMG MORI, Malizia and Paul Meilhat’s United by the Ocean fighting for the podium, crews pushed hard — even switching off the autopilot and steering by hand in search of every last fraction of speed. But there was another story playing out alongside the sprint to the finish. When the breeze was on and the sea state became more demanding, the pace of the latest boats offered a tantalising glimpse of what this new generation might be capable of. But, as the results rolled in the IMOCA form guide was still far from sorted . So, while the racing was closer than ever and went right down to the wire, the Ocean Race Atlantic delivered as many questions as answers at the end of the 3,000 mile sprint. CHAPTERS 00:00 The Final Sprint 00:40 Malizia’s Foil Problems 02:11 The Fleet Compresses 03:21 A Complicated Run to the Finish 04:58 Embrace the Challenge Strikes Back 05:44 Humans vs Autopilot 07:10 Four Boats, One Finish 07:27 United by the Ocean Takes the Win 09:00 The Rest of the Podium 09:42 What Malizia Learned 10:42 So, Are the New Boats Quicker? Facebook - @planetsail.org Website - www.planetsail.co.uk Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-sheahan Instagram - matthewsheahan