The Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe race village opened in Saint-Malo this week, bringing together 115 solo skippers and their boats ahead of the 3,542-nautical-mile transatlantic race starting on Sunday, 1 November.
The 71,000-square-metre village, described by organisers as the largest ever created for an ocean race, opened on Tuesday, 20 October, with 150 exhibitors and free public admission.
Among the competitors is Wicklow offshore sailor Pamela Lee, who is preparing to become the first Irish skipper to compete in the Route du Rhum aboard her Class40 EmpowHer (FRA178).
The opening begins 13 days of public events, allowing visitors to see the racing yachts, meet skippers and follow preparations for the solo crossing from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe.
Racing Fleet Gathers in Saint-Malo
Spectators gathered around Saint-Malo's sea locks on Tuesday to watch Ocean Fifty trimarans, Vintage Multihulls and IMOCA yachts enter the harbour, following the arrival of the giant Ultim multihulls the previous day.
The yachts were berthed along the Duguay-Trouin and Saint-Louis quays, while tiered spectator seating overlooking the locks provided a view of the arrivals.
Irish Interest in Solo Atlantic Race
Lee will race in the Class40 division, the largest fleet at the event. Her preparations and the wider entry list have featured in Afloat's September fleet preview, while her Dún Laoghaire send-off was held in the run-up to the race.
Although 118 skippers were listed at the September presentation, the organisers' opening-week release now refers to 115 solo skippers. The reason for the change has not been specified.
The race, first held in 1978, attracts professional and amateur sailors across multiple divisions. Further coverage is available in Afloat's Route du Rhum news hub and Class40 hub.
Thirteen Days of Public Events
The village offers concerts, exhibitions, skipper appearances and activities for visitors. A wider programme branded Off du Rhum brings together events in Saint-Malo's walled city and neighbouring communities.
Organisers expect more than 1.2 million visitors during the 13 days. The village is scheduled to open daily from 10am to 8pm, with catering areas remaining open until 1am, although adverse weather could prompt temporary closures.
The fleet is scheduled to start on Sunday, 1 November, bound for Guadeloupe. The official event programme provides visitor information.
