Armel Le Cléac’h's Banque Populaire XI Capsizes in Atlantic

4th November 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Atlantic Emergency: Armel Le Cléac’h is safe but awaiting rescue after his Ultim trimaran Maxi Banque Populaire XI capsized north-west of the Azores during the Route du Rhum

Atlantic emergency: Armel Le Cléac’h is awaiting rescue after his Ultim trimaran Maxi Banque Populaire XI capsized north-west of the Azores during the 2026 Route du Rhum Credit: Vincent Curutchet

Armel Le Cléac’h’s Maxi Banque Populaire XI has capsized approximately 550 nautical miles north-west of the Azores during the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, triggering an emergency rescue operation in the Atlantic.

The Ultim trimaran overturned at approximately 5.30am on Wednesday, 4 November, according to an official statement from race organisers.

Le Cléac’h is reported to be uninjured and safe inside the overturned boat. He has activated his emergency distress beacon and remains in contact with his shore-based technical team.

A rescue operation is being coordinated by CROSS Jobourg and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Boston, in consultation with race management.

The cause of the capsize has not been established.

The incident follows the earlier capsize of Francis Joyon in the Vintage Multi class. Joyon was subsequently rescued by a cargo ship and was reported to be heading for Ireland.

As Afloat reported on Tuesday, Le Cléac’h had described sailing downwind at 30–35 knots in a chaotic sea state. The Ultim fleet has encountered complicated Atlantic weather systems during the opening days of the solo race from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe.

Race organisers say further information will follow as the rescue operation develops.

Published in La Route du Rhum Race

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About The Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe

Created in 1978 by Michel Etevenon, La Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe is regarded as the queen of solo transatlantic races.

For 44 years, the race has joined Saint-Malo in Brittany to Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe. It musters the biggest fleet ocean racing fleet of all levels on the same starting line. This transatlantic course at a total distance of 3,542 miles has become legendary as its unique magic is all about the range of different classes and the mix of competitors.

Some of the best solo racers in the world of sailing, professionals and amateurs, meet every four years to taste "the magic of the Rhum".

On November 6 2022, this legendary race will set off once again, taking on the Atlantic whilst appealing to a broad mass of public fans and followers. They are offered the chance to dream, to escape and share the wonder with the solo racers who are all ready to go to sea and challenge the Autumn Atlantic.