Sam Goodchild ready for his first solo race on board MACIF Health Insurance

by IMOCA MACIF 27 Apr 12:46 BST 3 May 2026

The first solo race of the 2026 season, the 1000 Race (Port-la-Forêt - Fastnet Rock - Concarneau), will set sail on May 3rd from Port-la-Forêt, with qualification for the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe (starting November 1st) as the ultimate goal.

Eager and ready, Sam Goodchild will take the helm of MACIF Santé Prévoyance, the IMOCA that won the last Vendée Globe, for the first time on his own. He is thus beginning to build a true sailor-boat partnership, with a clear ambition: to increase performance, aim for excellence, and compete for the win.

The 1000 Race, with its 1,000 miles between Port-la-Forêt, the Fastnet Rock, and Concarneau, ticks all the boxes: getting back into the rhythm of solo sailing, validating routines, and qualifying for the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe. " It's very beneficial to do a solo race right now to get back into the swing of things and relearn all the routines, like managing life on board, sleep, food, and so on, " explains Sam Goodchild. The skipper and the boat have already been put to the test during demanding training sessions after the relaunch in early April: " We had 36 very intense hours, with 4 to 5-meter waves and up to 40 knots of wind, so I was thrown straight into the deep end! " A challenging but reassuring introduction: " I have 200% confidence in MACIF Santé Prévoyance."

Reliability, intensity and the pursuit of performance

"The boat hasn't changed much since the Transat Café L' Or, or even the last Vendée Globe... We've mainly focused on the details," explains the 37-year-old Franco-British sailor, highlighting the extensive work carried out throughout the winter at the shipyard with the technical team based in Concarneau. "Our strength is reliability. That's truly the boat's strong point. It allows us to sail in 40 knots without any worries," Sam continues.

Because when sailing solo, everything hinges on endurance and consistency: "More than seeking performance gains, you have to be fast all the time, at every point of sail, with the right sail configuration. Versatility and reliability are MACIF Santé Prévoyance's strengths," he emphasises. Facing a boat with an impressive track record, the pressure shifts: MACIF Santé Prévoyance has won almost everything, so now the pressure is on me! But I'm ready and confident," smiles Sam Goodchild.

Given the packed schedule of the coming weeks (the 1000 Race on May 3rd followed by the Vendée Arctique on June 7th), preparation isn't limited to technique. Sam relies on a structured physical program in Lorient, combining running, cycling, strength training, and stretching, complemented by mental preparation building on his experience from the last Vendée Globe. "They're long days, but I'm careful to find the right balance so I don't arrive at the starting line exhausted," he explains. Nutrition, recovery, lifestyle: everything is designed for endurance. "It's a question of lifestyle: the more you integrate it into your daily routine, the less energy you expend during the race." This discipline is essential before plunging back into the intensity of solo sailing: " I can't wait to get back to sailing. I'm especially eager to be alone at sea, competing," Sam emphasises.

The stated objective: to perform, to win... and to chart the course towards the holy grail of November 2026, the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe!