Route du Rhum: an unusual route and optimal start to the race

To guide him along the best possible route and ensure his safety around the clock, Charles Caudrelier is supported by his two guardian angels ashore, Erwan Israël and Julien Villion, an exceptional weather routing team. Both talented sailors are involved daily in the development of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. Today, they moved into their 'routing base' in Larmor-Plage, their headquarters for the next eight days. From there, they will be in direct contact with Gitana 18’s skipper throughout what promises to be an unusual Route du Rhum, far removed from the customary dash south to pick up the trade winds.

Traditionally, the opening days of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe race are synonymous with head-on encounters with autumnal weather systems… and stress for the sailors. Storm Austen, which struck the race village in Saint-Malo last week, is a reminder of what the weather can deliver at this time of year. So far, however, none of that is on the cards for this 13th edition.

A powerful high-pressure system over the British Isles is blocking the progress of a large low-pressure system near Greenland. Meanwhile, the very long front associated with that low extends as far south as the latitude of the Canary Islands, completely disrupting the formation of the trade winds. This relatively unusual weather pattern for the season looks set to favour a strategy that breaks with previous editions of the Route du Rhum.

A northerly route and maximum speeds downwind

“The models have been in agreement for several days now. We’re looking at a great-circle route — the shortest route to the Caribbean — passing north of the Azores, with a long stretch of high-speed downwind sailing at least as far as the Portuguese archipelago,” explains Erwan Israël, after reviewing the morning’s weather files.

“For now, that first section looks fairly clear-cut. Beyond the Azores, there is still too much uncertainty. That said, the conditions are quite favourable for the start of the race, with downwind sailing and calm seas,” adds Gitana 18’s test navigator and performance manager.

Past the Azores in two and a half days?

The start on Sunday 1 November at 13:02, is expected to take place in a north-easterly breeze of 10–15 knots. This opening phase will be neither the fastest nor the most straightforward. A couple of gybes may be needed before the first mark off Cap Fréhel, followed by a careful watch on shipping as the fleet heads out of the Channel and crosses the Ushant traffic separation zone.

The wind is expected to strengthen as the giant multihulls make their way west, before a gybe during the first night. They will then head south on port tack for a long, fast run towards the Portuguese islands.

“It would be hard to go much faster than in these conditions! We will certainly see the Ultims reaching 35–40 knots. In two and a half days, we should be past the Azores. After that, though, anything is possible: patches of light winds, headwinds or trade winds re-establishing themselves. That second section will be much more tactical. Some routing simulations suggest an arrival in Guadeloupe in under six days, but given the uncertainty surrounding the final stages, it’s difficult to put much confidence in that at this point,” Erwan continues.

A synergy of land and sea

The good news is that neither Charles Caudrelier nor his rivals should have to contend with bad weather straight out of the starting blocks. This is an important — and reassuring — factor for the skipper of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, who has yet to spend more than three days sailing solo aboard this revolutionary trimaran.

All things considered, the shore team’s role is crucial. Erwan Israël and Julien Villion will be tasked with keeping their skipper safe and easing his workload while maintaining a focus on performance. They will suggest when to carry out manoeuvres, encourage him to get some sleep, respond to any questions he may have, and monitor Gitana 18’s performance.

Charles Caudrelier knows he can rely on his guardian angels, in whom he has complete trust. Nevertheless, he alone will face the relentless physical toll of high-speed sailing and the challenge of handling his giant boat in the middle of the Atlantic. Ultimately, the final decisions — and their execution — will rest with him as he aims to reach Guadeloupe in the best possible position around 6 or 7 November.

*Erwan Israël works full-time with Gitana Team as a navigator and performance manager. He led the weather routing for Charles Caudrelier’s victory aboard Gitana 17 in the previous Route du Rhum. Alongside Julien Villion and Benjamin Schwartz, he also handled the routing for Caudrelier’s winning solo round-the-world campaign in the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE – Brest.