Sam Goodchild determined to perform well in the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe
by IMOCA MACIF 31 Oct 04:58 PDT
1 November 2026
Sam Goodchild on Macif is set for the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe © Ronan Gladu / Disobey / Macif
Ahead of the start, on Sunday, November 1st at 1:02 PM, Sam Goodchild is more than ready to embark on his first Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe in an IMOCA.
At the helm of MACIF Santé Prévoyance, the boat that won the last Vendée Globe and has been further optimized since, the Franco-British skipper is among the top favorites. After two disappointing participations in the legendary transatlantic race, he returns with a strong desire to do well and the confidence of a team that has left nothing to chance. This transatlantic race will also mark the boat's last race under the MACIF Santé Prévoyance banner.
A contender for the title, but nothing is written yet
Sam Goodchild makes no secret of it. Aboard a high-performance IMOCA, surrounded by an experienced team, the Franco-British sailor knows he has what it takes to be at the forefront. He welcomes this status as favorite, without forgetting the inherent uncertainties of the race: "Being designated as the competitor to beat doesn't really mean much in the end. We're being watched, that's for sure, but I wear it with pride. The team has worked so well that we're seen at the top of the rankings. After all, in the Route du Rhum, we know anything can happen. We control what we can, the rest will unfold next week."
This third participation also has a taste of revenge. In 2018, Sam Goodchild dismasted. Four years later, his race ended with a helicopter evacuation to the hospital in Saint-Malo. Two editions that left him with bitter memories, but in no way diminished his desire to shine in this legendary transatlantic race. "I haven't had any luck in my last two Route du Rhum participations. But this time, I'm back with a great team, a boat I trust, and a huge desire to do well. We know there will be unforeseen events; that's part of the game," says Sam.
And the competition promises to be fierce, as there are many contenders for victory. "The field is very strong; we'll have to watch out for everyone. Charal and Allagrande Mapei will be pushing hard. There are also the new boats, notably Malizia 4, which we've never sailed against. Boris (Herrmann) has a lot of experience, and we also know that Seb (Simon) never gives up. And then Violette (Dorange) and Élodie (Bonafous) have fantastic boats, and if they don't make any mistakes, they can go far. It's going to be interesting!" explains the skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance.
A versatile boat for a race full of uncertainties
Winner of the last Vendée Globe, MACIF Santé Prévoyance has continued to evolve in recent months. Without modifying its hull, the team has worked on a multitude of details to further improve its performance. This versatility could make all the difference in the Route du Rhum, whose scenario promises to be unusual, as Sam explains: "We have a very competitive boat, with consistent performance. This downwind start isn't necessarily my preferred conditions, but we've made a lot of progress with the team in these conditions. We might find ourselves with more boats at the front of the fleet."
For Sunday's start, conditions will be quite favourable, with a flat sea and a north-easterly wind of 10 to 20 knots. A rare situation for early November, but one that could quickly become more complex. "It's an atypical situation for the Route du Rhum, with a high-pressure system over England and fairly reliable conditions in terms of wind direction and strength. It's ideal! After that, things get complicated, with low-pressure systems that are somewhat stalled. This part of the weather forecast is still unclear," continued the skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance.
Victory in sight, enjoyment as the guiding principle
For this final race for MACIF Santé Prévoyance under its current colors, the objective is clear: to compete for victory in the IMOCA class. "If I win the Route du Rhum, it will be my greatest victory. But you can also have a great race without winning. My goal is to enjoy myself and be proud of my performance at the finish."
Sam Goodchild also draws his desire to do things well from the energy of his team and the encounters that have punctuated his final days in Saint-Malo. Children coming to discover the boat, 150 MACIF employees welcomed on board: all these are opportunities to share what drives him. "I love sharing my passion. Every time, people are interested, curious to discover what we experience at sea. I try to pass on this passion to them. We want to do things right. My team is giving everything for this project, and I want to do my job to the same standard."
The weather at the start and during the first 48 hours of the race with Thierry Douillard, team manager of the IMOCA MACIF Santé Prévoyance
"We're facing a unique situation for early November, as a powerful anticyclone is settled over England. It's stuck, it's not moving. The starting conditions are therefore very clear: it will be a downwind leg with a north-easterly wind, followed by a tack to round Cape Fréhel. The wind will gradually increase as they approach the exit from the English Channel, and the competitors will likely hug the English coast to find the anticyclonic curve. They might even sail as far north as the Irish Sea."
The route to reach the Antilles will be very northerly, close to the great circle, and will pass north of the Azores. The start of the race is likely to be fast, but what follows remains uncertain, with low-pressure systems moving from north to south. It's truly an unprecedented scenario, as there are no trade winds or low-pressure systems to chase from the outset.