Corentin Horeau (MACSF) wins the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe in the IMOCA class
by La Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe 11 Nov 18:27 AEDT
11 November 2026
French skipper Corentin Horeau (MACSF) had to draw on all of his reserves of patience and focus to secure the biggest win of his career so far, triumphing in the IMOCA class on the 13th edition of the Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe when he finally ghosted across the finish line off Pointe a Pitre at 01:14 hrs early this Wednesday morning.
The final miles into and around Guadeloupe were painfully slow in very calm conditions. But the solo skipper, who is 37, held his nerve to still deliver one of the most resounding victories in the history of the race (the result is subject to any jury decision).
Corentin Horeau's victory in numbers:
- Finish time (in Pointe-à-Pitre): 01 h 14 min 09 sec
- Finish time (UTC): 05 h 14 min 09 sec
- Elapsed time: 09 days, 17 h 12 min 9 sec
- Distance covered: 4 073,18 nautical miles
- Average speed (great-circle route): 15,14 knots
- Average speed (actual distance): 17,47 knots
A winner of the legendary French multi stage one design offshore race, La Solitaire du Figaro, in the summer of 2023, Horeau's long years in the Figaro class were followed by a five year hiatus during which he broadened his horizons, sailing everything from giant Ultims on round the world challenges to small one design sports trimarans.
Selected by MACSF to their programme aiming at the 2028 Vendée Globe, he wins this globally renowned solo race at his first attempt on the boat which Yoann Richomme took to second place in the last Vendée Globe.
Horeau made a key break two days after leaving Saint Malo's start on Sunday 1st November. When his nearest rivals, leaders Franco Brit Sam Goodchild (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) and Italian Ambrogio Beccaria (Allagrande Mapei) both made a move to the north seeking a shorter passage through a zone of light winds, Horeau held a direct, straight course and came out ahead.
He was then able to chain together multiple fast gybes down a narrow corridor of stronger breeze which allowed him a massive lead, over 300 miles, over his pursuers at one point. His standout performance marks is surely just the start of a stellar career in the IMOCA 60 footer class.
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