Route du rum. “I’ll be there in four, eight, twelve years…” concludes the indomitable Frances Joyon at the foot of the podium.

Special Envoy at Pointe-à-Pitre

“Le Menhir” is still standing, straighter than ever. In the dark night of the Antilles on Friday, just before four in the morning (France time), Francis Joyon, winner of the Route du rhum in 2018, finished fourth in the event at the helm of his faithful Idec Sport. Another impressive speech from the sailor who celebrated his 66th birthday last May.

Embarking on the famous transatlantic crossing for the eighth time, 32 years after his first attempt (!), the Lochmariaker sailor completed his journey in 8 days, 13 hours, 41 minutes and 40 seconds to the sound of Hugo’s famous composition, Santiano. Aufrei sang his relatives. A better time than four years ago, which allowed him to beat the new record of 7d 14h 21m 47s set by Charles Caudrelier on Wednesday (6d 19h 47m 25s).

Read alsoRoute du rum. direct, boat positions and ratings on 12th edition cartography

Physically damaged, his voice still so soft on his boat, he confirmed that this edition need not be his last. “I’ll be there in four years, eight years, twelve years…joked the captain, still as fond of solitary sailing. “I learned a lot of things on the boat, like how to sail without a winch because half of them didn’t work anymore– he added humorously.

“It was a difficult transatlantic race, not because of bad weather, but because it is a difficult boat to sail. The fact that there were so many passes was a bit of hell“, commented the captain, admitting his identity.”very tiredespecially after his recent mano with Yves Le Blevec.

I found he had a lot of guts, would make a very good winner

Francis Joyon on Francois Gabart

Joyon also paid tribute to Francois Gabart, with whom he is close, with whom he “admire the courage“:”My dear, you know who it is. He lost a sponsor, then found another, managed to finish his ship, which was half-abandoned during construction. He found himself in trouble against his rivals… I found he had a lot of courage, he would have made a very good winner.

François Gabart was right there, at the foot of the red giant of the seas, to meet him. The navigator, who was second in the 2022 edition, was able to talk to the man who robbed him of victory on the wire four years ago. “We experienced something incredible then” explained Charles Coderlier’s dolphin. “Sailing to 66 is pretty fabulous. My father turned 70 last week. I try to project myself a little. if my father had made Route du rhum four years ago… That’s a very nice message.“, he added.

In control of a ship with a well-established reputation (three-time winner in the last three editions: 2010, 2014 and 2018), Joyon had very little chance of winning this year against the latest flying machines. generation, much faster. The sailor was counting on the durability of his Ultim and possible disruptions in the competition ranks to possibly pull off another surprise. But with the exception of Francois Gabart’s foiling SVR Lazartigue, the top three were able to rely on ultra-endurance Atlantic boats.

Fifth Bleveque on the night of Guadeloupe

Yves Le Blevec (57) also crossed the ocean behind Joyon. The actual Ultim 3 completed the test in 8 days, 15 hours 49 minutes and 01 seconds just after six in the morning. A result below the expectations of the people of Palaiseau (Essonne), who dreamed of being involved, why not, in the fight for the podium with the former boat of François Gabart.

The sailors who wrote the legend of the Route du rhum since 1978

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