Sam Goodchild and MACIF Santé Prévoyance heading for a 100% solo season

Sam Goodchild © Ronan Gladu / disobey / MACIF

In a month the IMOCA MACIF Santé Prévoyance will return to the water after a meticulous winter refit at the MerConcept shipyard in Concarneau. There is barely time to get reacquainted with the boat before the first major event looms: the 1000 Race, starting on May 3rd. For Sam Goodchild, now the project's skipper, 2026 will be a solo year, with the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe on November 1st firmly in his sights. A busy, demanding season, with a clear ambition: to win.

A month after officially taking the helm of MACIF Santé Prévoyance, Sam is fully embracing his new role. The handover has been seamless, with the aim of maintaining the momentum built last year: "I'm extremely proud that Team MACIF chose me to take the helm this season. The transition with Charlie Dalin was gradual and natural. He set the bar very high, pushing everyone towards excellence. It's up to us to continue this momentum."

The upcoming season will be entirely focused on solo sailing, a format Sam particularly enjoys. "The idea is to keep the momentum going and aim for victory. I want to win. We have the means to achieve our ambitions: a great team, solid resources, a high-performance boat. It's up to us to make the most of it."

A winter to get to grips with the boat down to the smallest detail

Winter was dedicated to a complete overhaul of the IMOCA: unstepping the mast, removing the keel, structural checks, and a complete dismantling of the hydraulic and electronic systems. This thorough overhaul was essential after an intense 2025 season and two demanding transatlantic races. "After a busy 2025 season, we had to check everything, understand what worked, and what could be improved," says Sam.

Beyond the technical aspects, this refit was also a time for getting to know the boat. Being present, understanding each part, each system, to gain control once at sea: "I followed the refit closely. It's essential to learn the boat inside and out: understanding why a particular part broke, how each system works. The more you know your IMOCA, the further you can push it," he adds.

Building momentum up to the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe

From the moment the boat is relaunched in early April, the pace will quicken. Training, getting reacquainted with the boat, final adjustments, and then very quickly the first competition in the 1000 Race on May 3rd. Sam is enthusiastic: "It's perfect for creating a boat-skipper connection, getting my bearings on board alone, both physically and mentally. I haven't sailed solo since the Vendée Globe, so this is a return to sailing and my first time sailing solo aboard MACIF Santé Prévoyance.

"Sailing solo is never insignificant, especially in terms of managing sleep and maintaining a personal balance. This year, I experienced the winter refit; I've been here from the start. And that changes everything."

The rest of the program will continue this ramp-up: according to Sam, the Vendée Arctique "is probably the longest race of the year, with complex conditions and a very open tactical game" followed by the Défi Azimut in September.

And finally, November. The big sprint to Guadeloupe. A race that means a great deal to the British skipper. "I've already participated in Class40 and Ocean Fifty, but I missed the start each time due to dismasting and injury. This time in an IMOCA, I want to be there. 'The third time's the charm,' as we say."

Sam's objective for 2026 is therefore clear: to continue on the current trajectory and aim for victory, as he fully intends to be at the forefront: "We are not embarking on a phase of major changes, but rather one of stability and optimisation. Stability is a real strength. It's up to us to perform at the key moments."