Irish offshore sailor Pamela Lee received a family and diplomatic send-off in Saint-Malo early on Sunday morning (1 November) as she prepared for the start of the Route du Rhum solo transatlantic race aboard her DFDS-backed Class40 yacht EmpowHer.
Lee left the dock at approximately 06:15, with Ireland's Ambassador to France, Alison Milton, among those supporting the Greystones sailor ahead of the race to Guadeloupe.
Family members at the send-off included her father Norman, a GP14 champion sailor, her mother Una and brother Rob Lee. Irish supporters also waved tricolours as the yacht prepared to depart.
Flying the Flag – Family and supporters gather with Irish tricolours in Saint-Malo in the early hours of Sunday morning to cheer on Pamela Lee ahead of the 2026 Route du Rhum solo transatlantic race.
Foundation Support for Irish Campaign
Enda O'Coineen and Niamh Tyrrell attended on behalf of the Atlantic Shackleton Youth Foundation, whose supporters, according to O'Coineen, have contributed more than €20,000 to help Lee on her way.
Lee is also an ambassador for the foundation and has joined its Grace O'Malley fleet initiative, celebrating Ireland's maritime heritage and encouraging future generations of sailors.
Before departing, Lee thanked her supporters. O'Coineen singled out Brodie Seeeney, Cathal Friel, Liavan Mallin, John Burke, Sean Lemass and John Killeen.
Lee's campaign follows earlier send-off and fundraising efforts in Dún Laoghaire, while DFDS and Dubarry has backed her offshore sailing campaign.
Her entry has been highlighted as a historic first for an Irish woman in the Route du Rhum. For more on the race's Breton departure port, read Afloat's Saint-Malo feature.
