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- La Route du Rhum:
La Route du Rhum:
The race to Guadeloupe begins
AHOY! This is I'dRatherBeSailing, we serve you ice-cold-fresh-coconut sailing emails with a cherry on top, just like a painkiller. And we never, ever, forget the nutmeg.
Speaking of rum, in todays email:
La Route du Rhum: The legendary race kicks off
Dear Rhum Diary: Take me cruising in Guadeloupe
A Rhum Recipe: Messing with the classics
Yacht Rock: A hilarious yacht rock station
A Legend from a Promotion
La Route du Rhum
The Story: It's 1975. Sales of Rhum are luffing. Bernard Hass, the Secretary General of the Syndicat des Producteurs de Sucre du Rhum des Antilles, wants a unique advertising campaign to jump start Rhum sales. But he wants something totally unique, something never done before. His dream is to launch a race connecting France, and the West Indies, home of Rhum production. After three years of failed negotiations and discussions with Parisian advertising agencies, La Route du Rhum is finally born in 1978.
The Race: Solo. Offshore. The Route du Rhum is one of the largest single skipper, trans-Atlantic race and only takes place every four years. All competitors must travel 3,543 nautical miles. Everyone starts on the same line, at the same time. The first to reach Guadeloupe wins.
Below are the routes of past winners.
https://www.routedurhum.com/fr
The Boats: This year, 138 Sailboats and 138 skippers age 19-69 will depart Saint-Malo, and try to reach Guadeloupe. This is the most that have ever attempted. Below, a breakdown of the classes ⬇, and a link to the official site breakdown.
6 Boat Classes
8 in Ultims 32/23
8 in Ocean Fifty
37 in IMOCA
55 in Class 40
16 in Rhum Multi
14 in Rhum Mono
Follow Along: Here are some links to explore for more detailed info. The Official Route du Rhum page has a countdown clock, as well as bios on all the skippers, and synopsis of previous races. The page is in french, but visit on a desktop, and click the translate icon on the far right of the search bar, and Google will translate the page. There are youtube videos embedded in the site as well, also in French. Handy Tip: To watch the subtitles in English, click Settings>Close Caption>Auto Translate>English
The Rhum Diaries
Yacht Rock: These guys created the ultimate Yacht Rock playlist, rating songs as Yacht or Nyacht. Kenny Loggins in the top 10? You betchya. This is fully I'dRatherBeSailing Approved 👍
Ti Punch: Served warm, every sip burns, and you can't do Guadeloupe without it. If you haven't had one, this is a video of three ways to make it, from (mostly) traditional, to definitely-not-boat-friendly. But, fun to watch anyways!
My favorite Ti Punch? Served in a small paper cup for 3 Euros at a tiny little beach bar on a tiny little island just off Guadeloupe. Ask for the Mango infused Ti Punch. Then, find the guy churning homemade vanilla ice cream, and buy a cup for 1 euro. Pour the Mango Ti Punch on top of the Ice cream. You now have your own frozen drink in paradise. You're welcome.
Ilet du Gosier: This is the island. Drop anchor just off this island, and snorkel to shore with the sea turtles. You know someone is trying to keep a location from tourists when they label it as 'a playground' on google maps.
Your Own Route du Rhum: Don't have time to solo sail from France? Guadeloupe is an incredible cruising ground, and Dream Yacht Charter has a base in Bas du Fort Marina. Check out their fleet here 👇.
Go For: Ti Punch, unlimited fresh Baguettes, and Creole food. The shoulder season prices for a monohull are reasonable, and the trick to getting to Guadeloupe for a steal is a direct flight from NYC. Search for JFK-PTP, and you'll find non-stop flights for sub-$300.
Some say it's about the destination, not the journey. But for sailors, it's both. Some race alone across oceans. Some seek a solitary anchorage. Whichever course you steer, may the wind always be 45° off your bow, and the sunsets rum-punch-red.
Stay salty, and see y'all in a few days!
A Quick Adieu
An epic shot of Florence Arthaud entering Guadeloupe in 1990 on her Golden Trimaran. She was the first woman to win La Route du Rhum, and set a record time of 14 days, 10 hours, 8 minutes. If you'd like your favorite newsletter to cover her life and victories in more depth, let us know in the feedback section at the end!
Florence Arthaud, Route du Rhum, 1990
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