Maxi Banque Populaire XI has arrived in Saint-Malo ahead of the 1 November solo transatlantic start, with Ireland’s Pamela Lee preparing for a potentially historic Class40 debut
French offshore sailor Armel Le Cléac’h has brought Maxi Banque Populaire XI into Saint-Malo ahead of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, which starts on Sunday, 1 November.
The Ultim trimaran completed a passage of approximately 15 hours from Lorient before passing through the Saint-Malo locks on Monday (19 October) and berthing at Quai Vauban.
Le Cléac’h is among the contenders in the Ultim division, where defending champion Charles Caudrelier is also preparing for the Atlantic crossing. As previously reported by Afloat, the 2026 event has attracted 118 solo skippers across six divisions.
Ultim Trimaran in Final Configuration
Following a second-place finish in the 24 Hours Ultim, a training camp at Port-la-Forêt and further offshore sailing, Le Cléac’h says the team's technical preparations are complete.
“We took advantage of this time to do a lot of small jobs, adjustments, and fine-tune certain details,” he said. “Now, the boat is ready, and the die is cast.”
The team has finalised the main decisions on appendages, sail selection and technical options. Attention now turns to the weather forecasts and the opening hours of the race.
“We've made significant progress in understanding, mastering, and improving the boat's performance,” Le Cléac’h said.
Pamela Lee Prepares for Irish Route du Rhum Debut
Irish offshore sailor Pamela Lee is also preparing for the race, aboard her Class40 #EMPOWHER (FRA178). The Wicklow skipper believes she will become the first Irish skipper to compete in the Route du Rhum, having found no record of an earlier Irish participant.
Lee clarified the distinction directly to Afloat.ie earlier this month, saying: “I believe I will be the first Irish Skipper (rather than Irish woman) to compete in the RdR. I haven't found any previous Irish sailors to have done it.”
Her entry follows a season of preparation for the solo Atlantic challenge and a Dún Laoghaire send-off earlier this month. Class40 is the event's largest division, with 49 entries.
Saint-Malo Countdown
With the boats assembling in Saint-Malo, Le Cléac’h is seeking to conserve energy before the 1 November departure for Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe.
“As soon as the weather starts to become clearer, I'll get more focused on the race,” he said. “It's crucial not to waste energy and to have the clearest possible vision of the first few hours after the start.”
Further coverage is available in Afloat's Route du Rhum archive, including the latest on the Irish campaign and the international fleet.
