Corentin Horeau interviewed after winning IMCOA class in the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe
by IMOCA Globe Series 11 Nov 15:36 UTC
11 November 2026
Corentin Horeau wins IMCOA class in the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe © Vincent Curutchet
A decisive move backed up by speed and a consistent attack gives Horeau the title and a race record. Facing a very unusual, atypical weather picture Corentin Horeau won the IMOCA class on his first-ever Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe. Sailing MACSF. As a newcomer to solo IMOCA racing, he proved himself strategically sharp, inspired, and commanding, securing a resounding win.
Starting as an underdog in Saint-Malo, Corentin Horeau crossed the finish line as a true champion at 01:14hrs local time (05:14hrs UTC), lighting up the night in Guadeloupe. At 37 years old he sailed the former Paprec Arkéa, which he took the helm of just this year under MACSF's sponsorship, and was able to quickly capitalise on and early break which he turned into a substantial margin by the finish line, setting a new IMOCA record for the course from Saint Malo to Pointe a Pitre.
"It didn't come out of nowhere; I had to go all out."
Looking jubilant on the dock he said, "It was, in a way, a dream run. Even in my wildest dreams, I couldn't have imagined it. By the time I made my move, I was already well in the mix, having decided to set the fastest pace possible right from the start. Ambrogio (Beccaria) and Sam (Goodchild) were slightly ahead of me. They made the decision to gybe right in front of me—I didn't quite understand why. I went back to my computer and told myself, 'I want to cross this front as quickly as I can.'
"At one point, I saw them on the AIS, and after that, I never saw them again. I'm not sure if it was a gamble; I don't feel like I took any greater risk than usual. It's as if something was watching over me. Now, it's time to savour it!"
He added, "To have a debut like this with MACSF is just incredible. I'm so happy they gave me this opportunity. During our first team meeting, I told everyone that we had a real shot at something special in this Route du Rhum with this boat—before the new generation of boats arrived. So yes, arriving here with the record—it's like a dream!"
"I felt completely at peace with myself. For two or three days, it was as if I were somehow above everything else—a truly pleasant sensation. I seized every opportunity that came my way. I didn't fundamentally change the way I sail, but sometimes you reach a state of grace—you just have that perfect feel for it."
His race in numbers:
- Finish time (Pointe-à-Pitre/UTC): 01:14 / 05:14
- Race duration: 9 days, 17 hours, 12 minutes, and 11 seconds
- Distance covered: 4,073 nautical miles
- Average speed (great-circle route): 15.14 knots
- Average speed (actual): 17.47 knots