Yann Guichard and Spindrift 2 successfully qualify for Route du Rhum

Loick Peyron replaces Armel Le Cléac'h in the Route du Rhum © Christophe Launay / www.sealaunay.com

Armel Le Cléac'h has to stand down from the Route du Rhum following a injury to his right hand. Loick Peyron will skipper Maxi Trimaran Solo Banque Populaire VII.

Yann Guichard and Spindrift 2 successfully qualified

Solo sailing a trimaran the size of Spindrift 2 requires complete physical commitment, " says Yann Guichard, who recently sailed from the Azores to La Trinité-sur-Mer, alone at the helm of the world's largest racing multihull. With two months to go before the start of the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe, the skipper arrived late Monday afternoon and appeared positive and satisfied with his single-handed sail. His arrival fulfils the compulsory qualification required for the event.

Since Spindrift 2 was launched in 2008, nobody has had the audacity to sail this maxi-trimaran single-handed. The 40 metres long Spindrift 2 was designed to be raced by crews and holds several respective major ocean-sailing records. Spindrift racing thought long and hard about taking part in the Route du Rhum, adapting the trimaran especially for this epic race which will commence on November 2nd this year. The cockpit has been redesigned for use by a single-handed sailor, with the commands placed suitably within reach. Meanwhile, the surface area of the sails has been reduced by around 20% and an ingenious autopilot system has been fitted. The trimaran has not been reduced in size, however, and Spindrift 2 remains by far the largest boat taking part in the 10th edition of the most iconic of transatlantic races.

Yann is a seasoned expert in all forms of multihull sailing. He is as cool as ice and has steadily improved. Spindrift 2 left Newport with a crew sailing in pseudo-single-handed mode, allowing Yann to drive and manoeuvre the trimaran on his own, facing varied weather conditions and winds ranging from light to strong.

In the Azores, the starboard rudder had to be changed due to a collision with a container drifting in the middle of the Atlantic. As soon as the boat was fully repaired, Yann departed Horta alone at the helm. " The Azores anticyclone was positioned over the Bay of Biscay, " he explains " so I had to sail west of it, taking a longer route to keep some wind. I have just spent six days alone aboard Spindrift 2, which is extremely tough, but feasible. The biggest unknown were the autopilots, which gave me great confidence and steered most of the time. I found my pace and, with time, you get used to the size of the boat. Anticipation remains the key, because the slightest manoeuvre requires an hour's work. You can't simply make one move after another, or waste all of your energy at once, because you have to stay lucid. When Spindrift 2 has the right sails up for the right weather, and you're gliding along over the waves, it's extremely satisfying and exhilarating. "

Now back in her home port of La Trinité-sur-Mer, the trimaran will undergo no further major technical changes, only minor tweaks. " Small improvements can still to be made to help me with manoeuvring the boat, or to make me more comfortable, but I am confident in many areas, " says Yann, who is reunited with his technical team at the Spindrift racing base conveniently located in Brittany. " I haven't done any close-hauled sailing in the breeze. By sailing regularly over the next few weeks, I will learn to do more things automatically and will become even more competitive. I will also continue to prepare myself physically, although in moderation, so that I remain suitably energised when I reach the start line. I need to be in good shape, ready to take on the challenge ahead. "

Almost 80 competitors registered in five boat classes for the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe will be required to arrive in Saint-Malo by Friday October 24th, the eve of the official opening of the village. Until then, the Spindrift racing team will juggle their efforts between preparing Yann and Spindrift 2 for the autumn transatlantic race and the end of the D35 season on Lake Léman. Last weekend in Versoix, Ladycat finished fourth in the Open Nationale Suisse. The action will recommence this Saturday in Geneva with the Grand Prix Grange & Cie.

Marc Guillemot and Safran on course

On November 2, the skipper of Safran will line up at the start of the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe. This will be Marc Guillemot's fifth appearance in the queen of the transats. It is a race he has particular affection for and for which he will be preparing hard after his IMOCA went back into the water on August 27 in La Trinité-sur-Mer.

Launched in 1978 with Michel Etevenon (the advertising executive who introduced sponsorship into competitive sailing) at the helm, the Route du Rhum is held every four years, drawing together professionals and amateurs on board monohulls and multihulls on the same start line. This solo transat introduced talented sailors to the public and created a profession. "I particularly love this race," Guillemot says. "The duel between Michael Malinowski and Mike Birch, who won by just 98 seconds at the finish in 1977, made a deep impression on me. I am part of the generation of skippers who started offshore racing just after that. The course is beautiful, dotted with intense moments like the big surfing in the trade winds. That takes incredible energy solo."

After a complete overhaul this summer, Guillemot's IMOCA has begun a series of solo and crewed tests. On the programme are: three courses at Port-La-Forêt to have some competition, the Défi Azimut on September 26, 27 and 28, and as much solo sailing as possible to get some miles under the belt to be ready on November 2 in Saint-Malo. Guillemot does not beat around the bush when asked about the goal: "Victory! I feel good, Safran is going fast and really well," he says. "The competition will be tough with Macif and PRB, which have also been completely overhauled, but I know that with Safran there is a real chance of getting to Guadeloupe first."

The strength of the Safran Sailing Team remains in the communication and sharing, no matter what the project (the Figaro circuit, the construction of the new IMOCA or preparation for the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe). Despite, or perhaps because of his 25 years of racing experience Guillemot did not hesitate to call on his two young team mates. "I suggested to Morgan and Gwénolé that they work with me on the weather for the start, particularly for leaving the Channel. I like to have a different view, a fresh eye on the route, it's always beneficial."

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