Le Cléac'h's Banque Populaire XI capsizes in the Route du Rhum

Armel Le Cléac'h, one of the pre-race favourites of the 2026 Route du Rhum, capsized on 4 November. The French solo transatlantic race, run from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe, was in its first week. The accident happened at night in the Atlantic, aboard his Maxi Banque Populaire XI, a giant foiling trimaran of the Ultim class.

According to the first reports, a strong gust of wind flipped the boat in a matter of seconds. Le Cléac'h triggered his distress beacon, which alerted his shore team and the race organisers, and a rescue operation was launched. Early reports said the skipper was safe and unhurt.

The capsize ended his race. He had been among the leaders of the Ultim fleet, battling with other top skippers, so his exit reshaped the fight for the front. It also revived memories of 2018, when his previous Banque Populaire trimaran was wrecked in the same race. The incident again highlighted the risks of sailing these very fast multihulls alone in the North Atlantic in autumn.