The Race
Presentation
1-Organisation
The Route du Rhum is an event organised by Promovoile S.A., a subsidiary of the Pen Duick S.A.S. company with the participation of the City of Saint-Malo for the starting procedures and the Guadeloupe Regional Authority for the arrival phase, along with their sports clubs, in conjunction with the French Ocean Racing Association (the “UNCL”).
The race is sponsored by La Banque Postale.
Course: 3510 miles
The official race name and the only authorised one is the Route du Rhum – La Banque Postale..
The Route du Rhum is a top-level sailing event for solo yachtsmen and takes place every four years.
Its goal is to provide a showcase for sailors and boat owners, the City of Saint-Malo and the Guadeloupe Region, as well as its title partner and the other private partners responsible for financially supporting and promoting the project.
This event is included in the following calendars:
- FICO (International Forum of Ocean Races) and gives rise to the awarding of points for the FICO World Championships for racers and brands,
- ORMA
- IMOCA and gives rise to the awarding of points for the IMOCA monohull world championships.
2-Race schedule
Friday 20th October 2006
12h00 : The boats must be accessible to the race committee in the Vauban and Duguay-Trouin docks in Saint Malo harbour and if this is not the case they run the risk of being eliminated from the race. However, the organisers may grant an exemption to this clause in particular cases, if the explanation given is valid, while at the same time imposing a fine which cannot be less than 1000 euros for each twenty-four hour period overdue.
The organisers draw up a chart showing the mooring positions for the boats, which the skippers must respect.
18h00 : Reception briefing for the skippers.
Saturday 21st October 2006
9h30 :Start of the checks. The presence of the skipper is compulsory for the boat’s first check.
Special promotional event for the skippers.
Sunday 22nd October 2006
Special promotional event for the skippers.
Wednesday 25th October 2006
10h00 : Safety briefing for the skippers (attendance is compulsory).
Thursday 26th October 2006
13h00 : The boats may no longer leave harbour unless a special written permit is granted by the Race Committee.
Friday 27th October 2006
18h00 : End of the checks: The boats which have not completed the checking procedures by this time will not be allowed to line up for the start.
Time by which the official start papers must be handed in.
Saturday 28th October 2006
9h00 : The first boats leave the harbour.
16h30 : Final briefing.
Sunday 29th October 2006
6h00 : The boats leave the harbour.
13h00 : The race start.
3-Experience required
Each boat with the skipper taking part in the race must carry out a qualifying run the precise details of which will be decided beforehand with the Race Committee. The course, the distance, date and start time must be agreed with the race committee at least one week before the planned start date.
This qualifying run must take place in the boat that is registered with the same minimum conditions as those laid down for the Route du Rhum – La Banque Postale with Inmarsat monitoring..
4-Navigational aids
All types of navigational aid are allowed including in particular routing.
5-Trophies and prizes
Only those boats that have completed the Route du Rhum – La Banque Postale within the time limit can be considered for trophies and prizes.
The amount and details concerning the awarding of prizes as well as the trophies offered by the race sponsors will be indicated in the race rules.