9-23 NOVEMBER 2002
ROUTE DU RHUM
CREW
Single-handed transatlantic race
SUMMARY
The Route du Rhum is probably the most famous event in France/ Europe after the Vendée Globe. It is a premier event with top competition. The event has a long and illustrious history. The format is simple, starting from St Malo the boats head into Biscay, which in November can present very tough conditions. The boats then turn south into the Atlantic on route to Guadeloupe, passing the Canaries and Cape Verde islands before turning west towards the Caribbean. The race is both tactical and tough and produces great stories. Both monohulls and multihulls of over 40 feet compete with both amateur and professional skippers.
In a race of attrition, Golding fought gale force storms, emerging with a broken daggerboard. The battle for survival then became a battle for the lead. Golding and fellow Briton, Ellen MacArthur, broke away from the pack, putting hundreds of miles between them, swapping the lead for a great deal of the race. In the final stages though Golding suffered two blown spinnakers but still finished an admirable second
out of the 59 starters. Out of the original 18 multihulls, only 3 finished the race.
