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The race - History of the Route du Rhum
1982
This second edition was once again a popular success with 52 competitors, 300 journalists and thousands of spectators turning up for the start. A new era had begun with the launch of the Argos system to ensure safety and to promote the race with daily updates on positions.
All the great names of French and international yachting were present for this race, which had already become a legendary event in the ocean racing calendar.
The race only really began a week after the start and a number of yachtsmen were forced to retire due to a series of low-pressure areas in the first few days. By then, it was Marc Pajot, who had already experienced problems with the structure of his catamaran Elf Aquitaine, who was leading the race.
Pajot would only announce the problems he was having at the point when he would have to leave his boat, and a 35-minute stopover for repairs in Martinique allowed him to reach Guadeloupe and win the race after 18 days of sailing, ten hours or so ahead of Bruno Peyron and Mike Birch.
This edition led to a wave of enthusiasm for catamarans in the next series of designs and would be remembered for the determination of Philippe Poupon, who finished ninth, after sailing almost all the race with half a rudder and half a daggerboard.
There was also a lot of debate about the rescue of the Australian Ian Johnston, following his capsize, by Olivier Moussy, who in the end remained unranked because of his rescue mission.
The rankings
| Rank | Skipper | Boat | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marc Pajot | Elf-Aquitaine | 18j 01h38'00" |
| 2 | Bruno Peyron | Jaz | 18j 11h46'22" |
| 3 | Mike Birch | Vital | 18j 13h44'06" |
| 4 | Eric Loizeau | Gauloises IV | 19j 00h27'26" |
| 5 | Alain Gabbay | Charles-Heidsieck | 19j 00h41'00" |
| 6 | Jacques Petith | Kriter X | 19j 06h45'01" |
| 7 | Olivier de Kersauson | Jacques-Ribourel | 19j 12h59'10" |
| 8 | Yvon Fauconnier | Umupro-Jardin | 19j 06h45'01" |
| 9 | Philippe Poupon | Fleury Michon | 19j 15h55'56" |
| 10 | Michel Malinovski | Kriter VIII | 19j 16h15'38" |
| 11 | Yves Le Cornec | Télégramme de Brest | 19j 18h57'22" |
| 12 | Loïc Caradec | Royale | 20j 01h09'08" |
| 13 | Y. Gallot-Lavallée | C.G.A | 20j 12h59'05" |
| 14 | Robin Knox Johnston | Olympus III | 20j 20h19'50" |
| 15 | Olivier Moussy* | Sharp Vidéo | 20j 21h23'49" |
| 16 | François Forestier | Lejaby-Rasurel | 21j 16h07'27" |
| 17 | Loïc Peyron | La Baule-Télétota | 21j 20h55'32" |
| 18 | Eugène Riguidel | William-Saurin | 22j 01h28'11" |
| 19 | Pierre Follenfant | Charente-Maritime | 22j 02h36'10" |
| 20 | Florence Arthaud | Biotherm II | 22j 05h36'49" |
| 21 | Jean-Claude Parisis | Champagne-Charlie | 22j 15h19'02" |
| 22 | Joël Charpentier | Wild Rocket | 23j 03h48'32" |
| 23 | Philippe Walwyn | Skyjack | 23j 12h10'32" |
| 24 | Klaus Schrodt | Aspen | 23j 18h25'12" |
| 25 | Walter Green | As-Eco | 24j 03h31'44" |
| 26 | -Patrice Carpentier | Spra-1 | 24j 16h47'05" |
| 27 | J.B. Mothes-Massé | Dirickx | 24j 18h02'00" |
| 28 | J.P. Derunes | Le Monde de la Mer | 24j 19h52'22" |
| 29 | Michel Ralys | Créateur d'Entreprises | 25j 07h31'19" |
| 30 | Hervé Laurent | Société-Collyer | 26j 07h41'35" |
| 31 | Jacques Pallasset | Brise | 28j 03h09'00" |
| - | P. Sciarretta | Vigorosol | abandon |
| - | R.I. Johnston | Rennie | abandon |
| - | Marc Linsky | Pantashop | abandon |
| - | Didier Munduteguy | Côte Basque | abandon |
| - | François Boucher | SV Caddy | abandon |
| - | Patrick Morvan | Jet Services | abandon |
| - | Thierry Caroni | Filtrasol | abandon |
| - | Daniel Gilard | BAI Britany Ferries | abandon |
| - | Jacques Dewez | Cenet | abandon |
| - | J.M. Carpentier | SPRA II | abandon |
| - | D. Gautron | Contest | abandon |
| - | R. James | Colt Cars | abandon |
| - | A. Renouard | Chaînegaz | abandon |
| - | A. Labbé | Club Montanier | abandon |
| - | D. Le Méné | Edonil | abandon |
| - | Yvan Griboval | Maison Phénix | abandon |
| - | J.Y. Terlain | Gauthier III | abandon |
| - | Guy Delage | Rosière | abandon |
| - | Eric Tabarly | Paul Ricard | abandon |
* Non officiellement classé selon la décision du Comité de Course après le sauvetage le 18 novembre de l'australien Ian Johnston
Vincent Riou (FRA) (PRB) takes fifth place in the IMOCA Open 60 Class in the 9th Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale
Breaking the finish line off Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe at 07hrs 05mins 52 mins today (Monday, CET/Paris) (Monday 06 hrs 05mins 52 mins GMT/ Local 03hrs 05mins 52mins (CET -4hrs)) Vincent Riou on the IMOCA 60 PRB took fifth place in the IMOCA Class in the 9th Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale solo Transatlantic race which started from Saint-Malo, France at 1302hrs (CET) Sunday 31st October.
The elapsed time for PRB is 14 days 18 heures 03 minutes 52 seconds
His average speed is 11.37kts for the distance he sailed of 4026 miles.
Over the theoretical course distance of 3539 miles Vincent Riou’s average speed is 10.00knots
Riou finished 01 day 00 hours 52mins 56secs after IMOCA Open 60 winner Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement
Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA) (Virbac-Paprec 3) takes fourth place in the IMOCA Open 60 Class in the 9th Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale
Breaking the finish line off Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe at 04hrs 13mins 13 mins today (Monday, CET/Paris) (Monday 03 hrs 13mins 13 mins GMT/ Monday 23hrs 13mins 13 mins (CET -4hrs)) Jean-Pierre Dick on the IMOCA 60 Virbac Paprec 3 took fourth place in the IMOCA Class in the 9th Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale solo Transatlantic race which started from Saint-Malo, France at 1302hrs (CET) Sunday 31st October.
The elapsed time for Virbac –Paprec 3 is 14 days 15hours 11minutes 13seconds
His average speed is 11.36kts for the distance he sailed of 3998 miles.
Over the theoretical course distance of 3539 miles Jean Pierre Dick’s average speed is 10.08knots
Dick finished 22hrs 00mins 17 secs after IMOCA Open 60 winner Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement
Rookie IMOCA Open 60 skipper Christopher Pratt is suffering from a complete lack of power on DCNS 1000 due to a problem with the engine of his boat.
The engine failed Thursday and since then he has been running with almost no power. He is navigating off a small hand held GPS.
“Thursday morning I tried to repair the engine but it is the injection pump and so I have been unable to use it and so have no means of recharging the batteries. I have been in virtual blackout since then. I have a little help from the solar power but have been racing with no computer, no pilot, no keel motor, no nav station. There is just the small hand held GPS which I have a waypoint in, and with a little sun have managed to fire up the computer a couple of times. I have been carefully trying to build up enough power in the batteries to use the pilot a little and navigate a little.
But the last two days there has been really very little wind. As soon as I drop the helm it goes through 360 degrees, so I have to steer all the time. I have tried everything. Ive had a pouffe at the helm and steered with my feet as well as my arms and hands. I have not been able to move off the helm much since Thursday. I just go to make some food, then get back to the helm and sleep there. I think I should get to Guadeloupe Tuesday evening.”