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The Route du Rhum: On the road again
The “Route du Rhum” is probably one of the most famous sailing events of the world. Every four years, this transatlantic single-handed yacht race sets sail from the French town of Saint-Malo, in Brittany, and finishes at Pointe-à-Pitre, in Guadeloupe. Behind this astonishing sporting competition lies an unusual story.
As it’s name suggests the ‘Route du Rhum’, which is the French for the ‘Rum Route’ or ‘Rum Road’, is an event that was created by true rum aficionados. In 1975, the Corporate Secretary of the Caribbean Sugar and Rum Producers Union, Bernard Haas, was looking for an idea to promote the rum industry. Together with French sailor Florent de Kersauson, they imagined a yacht race that would end in the Caribbean, the birthplace of rum. After a few negative replies- including one from the famous late Eric Tabarly- they eventually found the sponsor they were looking for: Michel Etevenon, sponsor of Florent’s older brother, Olivier de Kersauson, and thus the “Route du Rhum” was born.
The first edition of the competition took place in 1978 during which sailor Alain Colas and his boat, the Manureva, tragically disappeared during the crossing. Back during the early era of the race, the competitors would take more than 23 days to arrive at their destination. Today, they take roughly half as much time: the event’s all-time record, acheived by Lionel Lemonchois in 2006, is 7 days and 17 hours. Franck Cammas won this year’s competition in 9 days and 3 hours.
Who ever said that rum and sport don’t make a good match?
As it’s name suggests the ‘Route du Rhum’, which is the French for the ‘Rum Route’ or ‘Rum Road’, is an event that was created by true rum aficionados. In 1975, the Corporate Secretary of the Caribbean Sugar and Rum Producers Union, Bernard Haas, was looking for an idea to promote the rum industry. Together with French sailor Florent de Kersauson, they imagined a yacht race that would end in the Caribbean, the birthplace of rum. After a few negative replies- including one from the famous late Eric Tabarly- they eventually found the sponsor they were looking for: Michel Etevenon, sponsor of Florent’s older brother, Olivier de Kersauson, and thus the “Route du Rhum” was born.
The first edition of the competition took place in 1978 during which sailor Alain Colas and his boat, the Manureva, tragically disappeared during the crossing. Back during the early era of the race, the competitors would take more than 23 days to arrive at their destination. Today, they take roughly half as much time: the event’s all-time record, acheived by Lionel Lemonchois in 2006, is 7 days and 17 hours. Franck Cammas won this year’s competition in 9 days and 3 hours.
Who ever said that rum and sport don’t make a good match?
By Thomas
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