Louis Burton has swapped the IMOCA class for an Ultim, taking the helm of a new multihull campaign for his fifth tilt at the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe.
At 41, the Saint-Malo sailor is doing something he has never done before. After four Vendée Globe campaigns and a long-standing partnership with Bureau Vallée, Burton has jumped ship, literally, into the biggest class in ocean racing.
He now helms the former Actual Ultim 3, launched for François Gabart back in 2015 and long regarded as one of the fleet's most reliable platforms. The boat has been rebranded ULTIM Armand Thiery under its new backer. Burton wants a top five finish, and a programme built for the long haul.
"What dominates is a great collective pride," Burton said. "We managed to change category and launch into this great adventure. And let's not forget, this will be our first race in Ultim! I am very happy to be in this category and now able to fight for the scratch time!"
With the Bureau Vallée chapter ending, Burton had a rare moment of freedom to work out what he actually wanted, for himself, his team and his backers.
"I quickly realised that the Ultim class ticked every box," he said. The boats themselves were part of the pull. "In terms of technique and sensations of speed, they are extraordinary." So was the chance to race solo and crewed, chase records, and mix it in multi-class events. "And then, racing the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe on a multihull, that was also part of the adventures I dreamed of."
He's candid about the physical toll. "Physically, these are extremely demanding boats, with a lot of tension and load." The speed, he says, feels almost deceptive given the boat measures 30 metres long and 23 metres wide.
His old reputation for audacity in IMOCA doesn't translate directly. "Clearly, it's less possible. It's not the same approach, you need a lot of humility. The manoeuvres are slower and it's important not to make mistakes in weather calls." His plan for the start, by his own admission, is caution rather than flair.
Burton already holds the Channel record, set in 4 hours 4 minutes between Cowes and Dinard, and makes no secret of wanting more from this boat. Development, he says, is still in its early stages.
His best Route du Rhum finish remains fifth, back in 2014. Priority one this time is simply getting the boat across with as little damage as possible. Everything else is a bonus.
Saint-Malo itself still means something. "The fact of being moored under the ramparts and then heading out to open water, that's something very powerful," he said. "Each Route du Rhum, we feel more than ever like a child of this town."
