Corentin Horeau is leading the IMOCA fleet aboard MACSF as he continues his Atlantic crossing in the Route du Rhum, and the French skipper has sent word from well out at sea.
Racing at the front of the class remains tight. Horeau's position at the head of the fleet hasn't come easily, and he knows there's still plenty of ocean left to defend it.
Staying out front is never straightforward, as this edition of the race has already shown across the other classes. Guillaume Pirouelle, who leads the Class40 fleet aboard Sogestran Seafrigo, has spoken of the relentless sail changes needed just to hold pace through the same stretch of ocean Horeau is now navigating.
Rivals are never far behind, and the tactical picture can shift quickly depending on how the Atlantic weather systems develop over the coming days. For a solo skipper, that means constant trimming, routing decisions, and precious little rest. Images sent back from across the fleet on day four of the race showed tired faces and snatched sleep between watches.
MACSF has proven a strong platform through the opening stages. Followers of the IMOCA class will be watching Horeau's form at the front closely, in a division that draws heavily on design and technology links shared with New Zealand's own offshore sailing scene.
No word yet on how long he can hold the lead.
The Route du Rhum, raced solo from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe, remains one of ocean racing's toughest tests, and leading the IMOCA fleet partway across the Atlantic is no small achievement. The race has already shown how quickly fortunes can turn. Anthony Marchand's Ultim campaign ended early after rudder damage near Galway proved irreparable, and Armel Le Cléac'h required rescue at sea after a Panamanian cargo ship was diverted to reach him. With that in mind, Horeau will be keeping a close eye on the chasing pack as the fleet pushes further offshore.