Skipper Francis Joyon capsizes in the Route du Rhum, rescue operation launched
Veteran sailor Francis Joyon was uninjured after his multihull capsized in the Celtic Sea during the Route du Rhum, prompting a rescue operation.
- 70-year-old skipper Francis Joyon capsized in the Celtic Sea just over 24 hours into the 2026 Route du Rhum.
- Joyon reported no injuries, and a rescue operation was coordinated with maritime rescue services and British authorities.
- The 2018 champion was running in third place in the Vintage Multi category before the incident occurred.
The organizers of the offshore race announced that the 70-year-old skipper was uninjured and awaiting rescue while competing in the Vintage Multi class.
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Francis Joyon, aged 70, suffered a major setback after a strong start in the 2026 Route du Rhum. The experienced skipper, who won the Ultim category in 2018, capsized on Monday, November 2, just over 24 hours after the start of the race. Race organizers announced that Joyon, one of the leading contenders in the "Vintage Multi" category, had his "Orma Océan trimaran capsize" in the waters of the Celtic Sea. Joyon confirmed that he was "uninjured." A rescue operation was launched to assist him "in coordination with the CROSS rescue coordination center and British authorities."
The former round-the-world record holder was still in third place in the race at 4:40 p.m., behind Damien Seguin (Groupe Apicil - Handicap International) and Éric Péron (French Touch - Océania Hotels). Despite relatively favorable weather conditions, with winds around 40 km/h and two-meter waves, the conditions seem to have gotten the better of one of the fleet's most seasoned sailors. Francis Joyon won the Route du Rhum in 2018 aboard "IDEC Sport" in one of the most thrilling finishes ever seen in offshore sailing, edging out François Gabart by just seven minutes.
After finishing fourth in the 2022 edition, he had previously experienced a similar accident in the 2002 Route du Rhum when his boat capsized off the Bay of Biscay, forcing him to spend several hours inside his cabin before being rescued. The 2026 Route du Rhum has already seen several incidents; on Sunday, Violette Dorange and Romain Pilliard collided and were forced to return to port to repair their boats. Earlier on Monday, the hopes of Anthony Marchand, one of the contenders for the overall title in the Ultim category, were dashed by a rudder problem.
Source: France Info
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