French offshore sailor Alexia Barrier is set to become the first woman to compete in the ULTIM class at the Route du Rhum–Destination Guadeloupe. Barrier will line up for the 2026 transatlantic race at the helm of the legendary IDEC SPORT – CIC, one of the most successful maxi trimarans in the event's history.
The announcement comes after Barrier helped set the first Jules Verne Trophy round-the-world record by an all-female crew, adding another landmark to her offshore sailing career.
Sailing solo, she will face some of the sport's leading skippers aboard the 32-metre flying trimaran, which can exceed 40 knots. The challenge demands complete technical, physical and mental preparation, with the ULTIM fleet regarded as the pinnacle of solo ocean racing.
Ocean Giant: IDEC SPORT – CIC, the 32-metre ULTIM trimaran that has won the Route du Rhum three times, will be sailed solo by Alexia Barrier in 2026 as she becomes the first woman to compete in the race's premier class. Photo: Jean-Marie Liot
IDEC SPORT – CIC has already claimed three Route du Rhum victories under previous names and skippers, winning in 2010 with Franck Cammas, in 2014 with Loïck Peyron and in 2018 with Francis Joyon.
By taking the start in Saint-Malo, Barrier will become the first female skipper to contest the race's premier ULTIM division, marking a historic milestone for one of offshore sailing's most prestigious events.
