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Route du Rhum: live, the positions and rankings of the boats on the cartography of the 12th edition
"Le Menhir" is still standing, straighter than ever!
In the dark night of the Antilles on Friday, just before four in the morning (French time), Francis Joyon, winner of the Route du rhum in 2018, took fourth place in the event at the helm of his faithful boat Idec Sport.
Another impressive performance from the sailor who celebrated his 66th birthday last May.
Engaged for the eighth time in the famous transatlantic, 32 years after his first participation (!), the navigator from Lochmariaquer completed his journey in 8 days, 13 hours, 41 minutes and 40 seconds to the sound of Santiano, the famous piece by Hugues Aufray sung by his relatives.
A better time than four years ago which allowed him to set a new record in 7 days 14 hours 21 minutes and 47 seconds beaten by Charles Caudrelier on Wednesday (in 6 days 19 hours 47 minutes and 25 seconds).
Read alsoRoute du rhum: live, the positions and rankings of the boats on the cartography of the 12th edition
Physically damaged, voice still so soft sitting on his boat, he confirmed that this edition would not necessarily be the last.
"
I'll be there in four years, in eight years, in twelve years...
", joked the skipper, still just as fond of solo sailing.
"
I learned a lot of things on the boat, like sailing without a winch because half of them were no longer working
", he added with a hint of humour.
“
It was a difficult transatlantic race, not because of the bad weather but because it's a tough boat to handle.
Doing so many tacks was a bit of hell
,” commented the skipper, admitting to being “
very tired
” especially after his last mano to mano with Yves Le Blevec.
I found that he had a lot of courage, he would have made a very good winner
Francis Joyon about François Gabart
Joyon also paid tribute to François Gabart, to whom he is close, whose
courage he “admired
”: “
My favorite, you know who it is.
He had lost a sponsor then found another, he managed to finish his boat which was half abandoned in its construction.
He found himself in difficulty against his competitors... I found that 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 welcome him.
The navigator, second in the 2022 edition, was able to discuss with the one who had robbed him of the victory on the wire four years ago.
"
At the time, we had experienced something incredible
," explained Charles Caudrelier's dauphin.
“
Sailing until you're 66 is quite fabulous.
My dad turned 70 last week.
I try to project myself a little: if my father had done the Route du rhum four years ago... It's a very nice message
, ”he added.
At the controls of a boat whose reputation is well established (triple winner of 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 robustness of his Ultim and possible glitches in the ranks of the competition to, perhaps, once again create a surprise.
But with the exception of a foil on François Gabart's SVR Lazartigue, the top three were able to count on ultra-resistant boats in the Atlantic.
The fifth Blevec in the Guadeloupe night
Behind Joyon, Yves Le Blevec (57) has also finished crossing the ocean.
Actual Ultim 3 completed the test in 8 days, 15 hours 49 minutes and 01 second shortly after six o'clock in the morning.
A result below the hopes of the native of Palaiseau (Essonne) who dreamed of getting involved, why not, in the fight for the podium with the former boat of François Gabart.
The sailors who have written the legend of the Route du rhum since 1978
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