A record smashed, a family legacy elevated and a new generation making its mark at the pinnacle of offshore racing. By winning the 13th Route du Rhum, Tom Laperche, Basile Bourgnon and Corentin Horeau – each in their respective class – have left their mark on an exceptional edition.
Tom Laperche: Speed runs in the family
6 days, 13 hours, 27 minutes and 40 seconds. When Tom Laperche crossed the finish line on 8 November, he took the Route du Rhum to a whole new level. At 29, the skipper of SVR-Lazartigue smashed Charles Caudrelier’s previous record, set in 2022, by more than six hours. An outstanding achievement in his first participation in this solo transatlantic race. In the lead from the very first hours, the Breton never relinquished his grip on the race. Having covered 4,308 miles at an average speed of 27.18 knots, with peak speeds approaching 49 knots, he made the most of his Ultim trimaran’s full potential.
Behind him, the race proved considerably more eventful. Armel Le Cléac’h’s capsize northwest of the Azores and the retirements of Charles Caudrelier and Anthony Marchand were stark reminders of the extreme demands placed on these giants of the sea. Thomas Coville eventually secured second place ahead of Louis Burton, who delivered a remarkable performance, and Alexia Barrier (still racing), the first woman to start in the Ultim class.
Basile Bourgnon: The legend lives on
For Swiss sailing enthusiasts, Basile Bourgnon’s victory has a particularly special significance. Twenty-eight years after his father Laurent’s second triumph, the 24-year-old skipper won the Route du Rhum in the Ocean Fifty class aboard Edenred, after 9 days and 17 hours at sea. Raised in the rhythm of the oceans and family sailing trips, just like his father and uncle Yvan before him, Basile Bourgnon has patiently built his career. Backed by Edenred since his early days, he had already demonstrated his potential by winning the Drheam Cup 2026. His victory in Pointe-à-Pitre rewards both his tactical maturity and his ability to handle a demanding multihull in sometimes challenging conditions. Basile Bourgnon has now confirmed his place among the leading figures in offshore racing. He is expected to finish ahead of Thibaut Vauchel-Camus (Solidaires en Peloton) and Pierre Quiroga (Wewise), who are due to arrive in Guadeloupe during the day on Wednesday.
Corentin Horeau: The breakthrough in the IMOCA class
Just two minutes after Basile Bourgnon, Corentin Horeau crossed the finish line. At 37, the winner of the 2023 Solitaire du Figaro claimed his first Route du Rhum victory in the IMOCA class aboard MACSF, in 9 days, 17 hours, 12 minutes and 9 seconds. Taking the lead on the third day, the sailor from Morbihan built his victory on a particularly astute weather strategy and outstanding management of his monohull. In an exceptionally competitive fleet, where the retirements of Jérémie Beyou and Ambrogio Beccaria reshuffled the standings, Horeau confirmed his ability to compete with the very best offshore racing specialists. A prestigious victory that naturally fuels his ambitions for the 2028 Vendée Globe… He is expected to be joined on the podium by Boris Herrmann (Malizia) and Élodie Bonafous (Association Petits Princes–Quéguiner), who are still racing and due to arrive in Guadeloupe in the coming hours.
Follow the upcoming finishers: routedurhum.com
