A full debrief and the results of a really exceptional edition !

With a record 138 solo sailors at the start line for the transatlantic race, 103 made the finish. There were six different classes and therefore six winners: Charles Caudrelier - Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, in Ultim 32/23, Erwan Le Roux – Koesio, in Ocean Fifty, Thomas Ruyant – LinkedOut, in IMOCA, Yoann Richomme - Paprec Arkéa, in Class40, Loïc Escoffier - Lodigroup, in Rhum Multi, Jean-Pierre Dick - Notre Méditerranée – Ville de Nice, in Rhum Mono. The race between Saint-Malo and Pointe-à-Pitre record dropped under seven days for the first time, now at 6 days 19 hours 47 minutes and 25 seconds or the winner Charles Caudrelier.

And the media return also set records: Nearly 2 million viewers watched the start on November 9 despite it being postponed for 3 days for the very first time in the history of the race, there were around 1,100 accredited journalists, there were 5 million unique visitors on the official site and 167,000 downloads of the official application. That equates to a total of around 266 million euros in media coverage, meaning the event was one of the most followed French sporting events... These figures are worth noting but most of all the huge popularity of the event is underlined on the docks before and during the start in Saint Malo

There were around 1.5 million visitors to Saint Malo and the immediate area over the thirteen days the village was open. The Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe was one of the biggest French sports gatherings of the year 2022. Attracting, hosting, informing and entertaining a bigger number of visitors was one of the core targets of the City of Saint-Malo and OC Sport Pen Duick, the organizer. Hence the increased area of the village, from 50,000 to 70,000 m2 which required an overall overhaul of the site ergonomics and circulation through the event space as well as the creation of new points of interest, including the Rocabey area with the Big Wheel CIC - Le Télégramme. And especially popular this time were the staging of the incoming and outgoing passages of the Saint-Malo locks. These offered visitors unforgettable moments seen from the vantage points in the stands or in front of the giant screens installed on either side of the Naye lock. And another popular first was having the Ultim 32/23 come into the basins of Saint-Malo where there were seen up close at the docks. Another new feature welcomed by all were the parades which gave visitors the opportunity to see the competitors evolve in front of Saint-Malo

For four years since the 2018 edition Guadeloupeans awaited the return of the race, the fastest boats as well as their seven ‘local hero’ skippers. Three official villages were set up at the Memorial ACTe, in Basse-Terre and at the Marina du Bas du Fort, and a village in Sainte-Anne. 305,000 visitors enjoyed the finishes of the boats for 3 weeks and until the line finally closed on December 7, 2022. Two prizegiving ceremonies were organized by the Guadeloupe Region with each attracting an audience of several thousand people. This 12th edition also made it possible to create a link between Rhum sailors and local nautical societies during the organization of the Saintoises Trophies in Sainte-Anne, Basse-Terre and Deshaies, when the traditional local boats were highlighted.

The family of sponsors and partners really worked tirelessly to ensure that the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe was a success. OC Sport Pen Duick says a big thank you to the partners, without whom this event would not have had the success it deserved!
Among them are Guadeloupe Region - Exclusive Major Partner, main partners - Saint Malo, Brittany Region, CIC. There are consistent, historical partners and newcomers, OC Sport Pen Duick offer their sincere thanks. On this 2022 edition, 52 public and private partners made their commitment to the organizer to support most beautiful edition of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe. They also salute the 400 volunteers of the SNBSM (Société Nautique de la Baie de Saint-Malo) for their commitment, also the Port of Saint-Malo - property of the Brittany Region, Main Partner of the race - who made it possible to welcome the 138 sailors and their boats.

Aware of the fact that events such as La Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe must, in the future, pave the way for increasingly responsible, sustainable gatherings, OC Sport Pen Duick and the stakeholders laid down the foundations of a sustainable course for the future. Among the initiatives were the tollaboration with Surfrider Foundation Europe, an NGO Partner who helped in setting up many awareness-raising actions. They had a big, busy stand in the village in Saint-Malo, a day of conferences, a stand in Guadeloupe. Such commitments areipart of a long-term vision and the areas of expertise of these environmental partners will provide concrete solutions en route to a more virtuous Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe.