Route du Rhum 2026: Victories, Injuries and a Dramatic Rescue

The Route du Rhum 2026 is taking its toll. And the Atlantic isn't finished yet. Capsizes, broken boats, serious injuries and a dramatic mid-ocean rescue, the four yearly solo transatlantic race has a reputation for just this, but 2026 has been different. From a new record to a string of high profile retirements and a disturbing number of speed related injuries, the news has been streaming back from the Atlantic. We take a look at what’s been happening through the eyes and mouths of the competitors over the last week. Typically the most brutal part of this race is exiting the English Channel and Western Approaches, after that things usually get progressively better as the fleet heads south west to Guadeloupe. Not this year. Complex weather systems have made life hard work for all forcing big diversions and large variations in conditions. The risk of falling off the southbound conveyor belt has been high and the pressure on skippers relentless. Add to this a fleet of highly advanced, machines that take performance onto another level with all the associated risks and the result has been breakdowns and injuries along with a number of capsizes. But this year has seen a new record too and some incredible performances across the 115 boat fleet. Here’s how line honours was secured and how Week 2 has played out. CHAPTERS 00:00 Taking Its Toll – Victories, Injuries & Rescues 00:23 Armel Le Cléac'h – The Banque Populaire Capsize 00:50 Class40 – The Atlantic Takes Its Toll 02:24 Tom Laperche – A Record-Breaking Ultim Victory 04:05 Thomas Coville & Louis Burton – The Ultim Podium 07:17 IMOCA – Horeau Leads as the Weather Turns 10:08 Sam Goodchild – Repairs and Survival at Sea 12:59 IMOCA Injuries – Beccaria and Beyou Forced Out 13:50 Ocean Fifty – Basile Bourgnon Under Pressure 18:30 Class40 – A Dramatic Rescue and a Fierce Battle DOCKTALK 22:12 Finn – A Remarkable Performance Cruising Trimaran 23:21 Balance 464 – Lighter, Faster, Smarter 24:26 Zhik – Technical Clothing for the 52 Super Series 25:35 Ronstan – High-Performance Mainsail Batten Cars #RouteDuRhum2026 #RouteDuRhum #PlanetSail #OffshoreSailing #SoloSailing #Ultim #IMOCA #OceanFifty #Class40