12th Route du Rhum: Impressive start, Goodchild injured, many early starters
The 12th Route du Rhum began with impressive images of the record fleet of 138 soloists and their boats. The starting line, which was 6.5 kilometres long in total, had been divided into sections for the six classes beforehand. This meant that all 131 skippers and seven female skippers were able to start at the same time. Nevertheless, some of them missed the start early. The long-awaited start was even more dramatic for the Brit Sam Goodchild even before the starting signal.
Soon after the start, the first frightening news came from both the race organisers and Sam Goodchild's team. According to initial reports, the 32-year-old "Leyton" skipper had sustained injuries in the pre-start phase. He was immediately sent a doctor on board. The 2019 Transat Vabre runner-up was still preparing for the Route du Rhum start as a starter in the Ocean Fifty class when the accident occurred. His shore crew immediately took control of the trimaran "Leyton".
The French daily newspaper "Ouest France" reported in more detail in the late afternoon: "On Wednesday 9 November, Sam Goodchild had to retire during the start phase of the 12th edition of the Route du Rhum. The skipper of the Ocean Fifty 'Leyton' injured his arms and face. He was evacuated from his trimaran and treated by a civil defence helicopter." Goodchild has since been taken to hospital in Saint-Malo. Further information has been announced.
At the same time, a number of favourites had already taken the lead in their respective classes. Charles Caudrelier, for example, had rapidly pulled away from the entire field on his Ultim giant "Maxi Edmond de Rothschild". Class 40 co-favourite Yoann Richomme had also positioned himself in the leading group. However, according to initial reports in France, both could be among the many early starters who will have to reckon with a harsh four-hour time penalty. In the early evening, the race organisers were still busy identifying all the early starters and publishing a corresponding list.
As expected, Charlie Dalin initially set the tone for the Imocas on "Apivia". Behind him were the usual suspects, Louis Burton ("Bureau Vallée"), Jérémie Beyou ("Charal") and Thomas Ruyant ("Linked Out"). Boris Herrmann had already worked his way up to sixth place with his new build "Malizia - Seaexplorer" four hours after his solid start in choppy seas. Isabelle Joschke was in 22nd place in the field of 38 Imocas shortly after 6 p.m. on the start day.
UPDATE, 9 November, 9.14 p.m.
After the accident of "Leyton" skipper Sam Goodchild in the starting phase of the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe The Briton had to be rescued and taken to hospital, but his team issued a statement in the evening with more information: "While trimming the sails of his Ocean Fifty 'Leyton' during the start phase, Sam Goodchild suffered injuries to his arms and face. A technical problem caused the powered winch to run backwards and he was hit hard by the handles of the grinder column. He was evacuated from the boat and taken to hospital by medics. He was able to see his family. We are very sad that he has to give up the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe."
UPDATE, 9 November, 10 p.m.: Favourites Caudrelier and Richomme under heavy pressure
The race organisers had identified an incredible 17 early starters by the late evening of the start day, each with a painful four-hour time penalty. The most prominent early starter is actually Ultim and Line Honours top favourite Charles Caudrelier on "Maxi Edmond de Rothschild". In the Imocas, "Kattan" and "Demain c'est loin" were ahead. In the Rhum Mono division, "Pen Duick 3" was too early. In the Rhum Multis, Philippe Poupon on "Flo", Roland Jourdain on "We explore", Harvard Marie on "GDD", Brieuc Maisonneuve on "CM Île de France 60.000 rebonds" and Christophe Bogrand on "Château du Launay" wanted to leave too early. In Class 40, eight soloists caught the four-hour penalty: "Conscious Planet", "Project Rescue Ocean", "Yoda", "Full Save", "Dopamine Sailing Team", "Isa Group", "E. Leclerc Ville La Grand" and co-favourite Yann Richomme with "Paprec Arkéa".
