French offshore sailor Tom Laperche has claimed a spectacular victory in the 2026 Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, crossing the finish line off Pointe-à-Pitre aboard the Ultim trimaran SVR-Lazartigue on Saturday at 22:31:40 local time.
On his first participation in the legendary solo transatlantic race, Laperche produced an outstanding performance, leading the fleet from the early stages and maintaining control throughout an exceptionally demanding Atlantic crossing.
His winning time of 6 days, 13 hours, 27 minutes and 40 seconds establishes a new race record, underlining both the speed of the latest generation of Ultim multihulls and the quality of his sailing.
A Record-Breaking Atlantic Crossing
The 3,542-nautical-mile race started in Saint-Malo on 1 November, with 115 boats competing across six classes. Laperche took the lead at Cap Fréhel, just 16 nautical miles after the start, and never relinquished it.
His performance was particularly impressive given the unusual weather conditions. The absence of the expected trade winds forced competitors onto a more northerly route, with frequent sail changes, complex transitions and demanding manoeuvres throughout the crossing.
Laperche covered 4,308.32 nautical miles, achieving an average speed of 27.18 knots over the actual distance sailed, and 22.27 knots based on the great-circle route.
His victory also makes him the youngest Route du Rhum winner since the late Swiss sailor Laurent Bourgnon, who was 28 when he secured the first of his two consecutive victories in 1994.
A Race Marked by Drama and Determination
Despite controlling the race from the opening stages, Laperche faced a serious emotional challenge when his closest rival, Armel Le Cléac’h, capsized aboard Banque Populaire XI on Wednesday and had to be rescued.
The incident was a stark reminder of the risks involved in offshore multihull racing. Laperche admitted that learning about the accident while alone at sea was deeply unsettling, before he managed to refocus on the competition.
The skipper also had to contend with a significant tropical storm during the final part of the crossing, less than 24 hours before reaching Guadeloupe.
Reflecting on the experience, he described the race as an extraordinary physical and mental challenge, requiring constant concentration and the ability to adapt to changing conditions.
The Dream Behind the Victory
For Laperche, the result represents the fulfilment of a childhood ambition.
Growing up in La Trinité-sur-Mer, he watched footage of previous Route du Rhum champions and dreamed of one day competing in the race himself. To win on his first attempt, aboard what he described as the most magnificent boat in the 2026 fleet, made the achievement even more special.
He spoke of the connection he developed with SVR-Lazartigue throughout the crossing, describing how every gust of wind and every sail change brought him into complete harmony with the boat.
The victory also reflects years of preparation and the work of an exceptional shore team. Laperche credited the technical team for five years of development and commitment, emphasising that although he was alone at sea, the achievement was the result of a collective effort.
He also acknowledged the influence of his mentors, particularly François Gabart, who believed in his ability to handle large multihulls, as well as Pascal Bidégorry and Franck Cammas, who contributed to his development and supported the routing effort during the race.
A Champion with Ambitions Beyond the Atlantic
The Route du Rhum victory adds another major achievement to Laperche’s offshore racing career. One year earlier, he won the two-handed race from Le Havre to Martinique aboard SVR-Lazartigue alongside co-skipper Franck Cammas.
Despite his historic success, the young French skipper is already looking towards new challenges. Completing a full circumnavigation of the globe aboard one of these giant multihulls remains an ambition he has yet to achieve.
For now, however, the focus is on a remarkable achievement: a first Route du Rhum participation, a dominant solo performance and a new course record.
Tom Laperche and SVR-Lazartigue have delivered one of the defining performances of the 2026 offshore racing season, writing a new chapter in the history of the Route du Rhum.
