Cap Fréhel (France) (AFP) – “It’s a human challenge, we find it crazy”: under a bright sun, several thousand people – regulars and newbies – gathered on Sunday at Cap Fréhel for the passage of the 115 boats of the 13th Route du Rhum.

Published on: 01/11/2026 - 16:25 Modified on: 01/11/2026 - 18:58

Some follow the race from their radio, others on their phone, but when the sailboats arrive in front of Cape Town at the end of a first leg from the starting line off the coast of Saint-Malo, the crowd - 11,000 people according to the prefecture - applauds warmly and comments on the first duels.

“There is one facing the wind and the other with the wind at their back,” explains a spectator. “Which is the smartest?” asks another. “We’ll see,” the first responds.

As we pass the Fréhel gate, it is Armel Le Cléac'h (Banque Populaire) who has a little lead. But he quickly gave up the lead to Tom Laperche (SVR-Lazartigue).

"It's the first time I've come. My grandparents and parents came and told me 'we have to do it'," Mathilde Bourdared, 26, who came with her partner, told AFP. Wrapped up in a parka, cap and hood on her head, blanket on her knees, she arrived at 7:00 a.m. from Rennes.

“We took crosswords, books, the switch (game console) and we have something to eat too,” she lists facing out to sea.

Traffic blocked

The crowd arrived little by little in the morning at Cap Fréhel, a protected natural area where traffic was blocked three kilometers upstream and the paths were marked. Part of Cape Town, affected by fires this summer, is prohibited.

The bravest got up very early to secure the best places like Myriam and Yves Smaj, 58 and 63 years old, who are on their “fourth or fifth” time. “As soon as there’s a boat somewhere, we go there,” laughs Myriam. Each equipped with a pair of binoculars, the camera at hand, a thermos of coffee at their feet, these sailing enthusiasts came from Orne.

Next to them, Jean-Michel Villelonge, 73, who came for the first time, was also among the first to settle on the rocks overlooking the sea where a white line was drawn not to be exceeded to avoid falling.

He traveled 700 km from Auvergne to take part in the event and spent the last three days in the village in Saint-Malo, "to see the boats". According to the organizers, “more than a million people” have passed through the village since its opening on October 20.

“I came to do some scouting, I didn’t know Cap Fréhel,” Jean-Michel, a motorsport enthusiast converted to sailing, told AFP. His favorite skipper "died this year (...) it was Charlie Dalin". “He was a great guy, he had everything, navigation, he was a nautical engineer, he was a great guy,” he remembers.

Today he has no preference: “may the best win”.

- "I will come back in four years" -

Myriam and Yves lean “for Jean Le Cam, the elders”. “We had difficulty doing our three kilometers on foot so doing a race”, at her age (67), “you have to do it”, admires Myriam. “But we love them all,” she adds, “it’s a human challenge, we find it crazy.”

The Breton flag planted behind him, a sleeping bag "for a nap", Breton pound cake accompanied by coffee, tea and rum "for fuel": Jérôme Dubrief, 51, and his family waited firmly for the boats to pass. His daughter and nieces even made a “Bon vent! Long live Rhum” banner for the occasion.

“We have planned enough to last the day,” laughs Jérôme Dubrief, who came from Soissons (Aisne), invited by his brother-in-law “who loves sailing and has his catamaran”. “It’s the first time I’ve come and I’ll come back in four years,” he assures.

“Skippers who set off alone are impressive, it creates an emotion, we become attached,” he says, with a preference for “Thomas... how else?”. “Thomas Coville” his daughter calls out to him. “And Violette Dorange too, we had already followed her on TV when she did the Vendée Globe,” adds Jérôme.

© 2026 AFP

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