Press Releases

The Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale starts have always given rise to some unforgettable images and that of the ninth edition is certainly full of promise. Indeed on 31st October at 1302 hrs, after a week’s preparation, there will be no fewer than 68 solo sailors taking the race start offshore of the corsair city; setting sail on a competitor’s dream or fulfilling the objective of a whole lifetime. Professionals, renowned sailors, informed amateurs and enthusiasts, all will be competing in their own race, their own story. Four months prior to kick-off, the giants’ category is set to play host to seven ‘local’ sailors, including a recent entry from Servane Escoffier (Saint-Malo 2015). The latter joins an exceptional cast made up of the fastest men and women around the planet. The Rhum category meantime has attracted the attention of eight solo sailors, who will all be striving to write a new page in the history books between Saint-Malo and Pointe à Pitre. Furthermore, six sailors with some honed track records and clear ambitions, will be in the running amongst the Multi50s. Next, with three boats fresh out of their moulds and nine top riders, the Imoca class is also likely to put on a breathtaking performance. Finally, four years after their first tacks in the Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale, the Class 40s are back and boasting a contingent of over 30 boats. Such a record line-up speaks volumes about the skippers’ fondness for this great classic.

Qualifications: instructions for use

A compulsory passage for access to the start of all the great events, the qualifier course is, more than ever before, a key factor for those participating in the next Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale. Though some have already satisfied the qualification criteria, others should be devoting the summer period to it, with everyone required to satisfy these conditions prior to 1st October 2010. Jean Maurel, Race Director for the ninth edition of the event, explains how this process works: "The race has always been open to all and we really wanted to retain this spirit. As such the qualification format has been adapted to each person’s experience. Some, for example those who have already sailed around the world or covered numerous miles in solo configuration aboard their boat, are exempted, while others have to sail a 1,000 to 1,500 mile course chosen by themselves and scheduled in whenever they like. We are very flexible and we realise that sailors are so keen to participate in the Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale that such things will naturally take their course".

The era of digital convergence: For the very first time Pen Duick will share news of an oceanic race via smartphones.

At a time when the means available for monitoring offshore sailing events is constantly evolving and whilst the ninth edition of the most famous of these is set to reach record levels in terms of speed and action, Pen Duick, in agreement with the Banque Postale, this year intends to give spectators all the necessary viewing tools, as well as bringing digital convergence to the forefront. For this, some smartphone applications (iPhone and Blackberry) have been developed, in partnership with NIJI, in order to track the racing as closely as possible. With live audio of the start and via the cartography, daily radio sessions accessible in elapsed time throughout the duration of the race, as well as access to competitors’ progress from start to finish, there will be no excuse for not keeping track of proceedings. Photos and videos of the organisation and competitors will also be accessible from mobile phones. Finally, a few hours before the conclusion to the race in Pointe à Pitre, just a handful of miles from the "Tête à l'Anglais", the cartography will be updated in elapsed time. This will enable everyone to enjoy the privilege of following the action live, as the winner is decided!