Better weather brought the crowds back to the Route du Rhum village in Saint-Malo on Tuesday, and this year they have somewhere new to take the kids. Rhum Park, a dedicated children's zone, is making its debut at this edition of the race.
The zone sits past the Pertuis bridge, along the Quai Surcouf, directly opposite the Ocean Fifty trimarans moored on the far side of the Duguay-Trouin basin. Its centrepiece is a 40-metre Ferris wheel, and the 30 gondolas have barely had a spare seat all day.
"It's brilliant, it lets us see the whole village and be higher than the boat," said eleven-year-old Nathan. His father added that at least now they'd know which boat to go back and look at up close later.
Laeticia, who came with friends, described the feeling of rising above the crowd as "like being in a bubble, really nice."
Just behind the wheel, there's more height to be gained. Charal has set up its now-famous zip line, 90 metres long and promising a serious thrill for anyone willing to queue. Thirteen-year-old Edgar called it "incredible, everything flew past so fast." The wait is long, but Rhum Park has quickly become one of the must-visit spots in a village that keeps getting busier.
Organisers have responded to the crowds by extending hours. On Wednesday and Thursday, exhibitors can stay open until 10pm so more visitors get the chance to see every stand.
The concert schedule is locked in too. Ramoneurs de menhirs play Thursday from 8pm, Mask ha gazh takes the stage Friday, and the group Deluxe closes things out from 8pm. All concerts are free.
Two Class40 christenings took place on Tuesday. William Mathelin-Moreau named his boat Patapain, Les Invincibles in the morning, while fellow Class40 skipper Mathieu Claveau christened Phare40, Inherent in the afternoon. The daily Route du Rhum broadcast on the main stage drew a big crowd too, with Saint-Malo-based skippers joined by Miss and Mister Guadeloupe.
On the water, there were more outings around Saint-Malo's harbour, including sailing trips for people with disabilities and a demonstration from the classic Muscadet keelboats. Signing sessions brought fans face to face with Yannick Rebuffat (Mussulo40, Class40), David Ducosson (Trilogik, Vintage Multi), Lucas Rosetti (Maccaferri Futura, Class40) and Christophe Bogrand (Des enfants et des arbres, Vintage Multi).
Among the Guadeloupean sailors heading into the fleet is Keni Piperol, racing Drépavoile in Class40. Well known on the pontoons by now, he's about to start his second Route du Rhum, and his tenth transatlantic crossing overall.
Piperol relocated to mainland France to chase ocean racing, working his way up through two Mini Transats, including a fourth place in 2019, then a win in Class Open at the Québec-Saint-Malo race, before gaining further experience alongside Lalou Roucayrol. His first Route du Rhum four years ago was brutal: a buoy strike during the delivery trip, ten days of repairs, catching Covid in Saint-Malo, then a stopover for a structural issue. He still finished, 37th, and the warmth of the Guadeloupean crowd on his return made it all worthwhile.
"Today I'm arriving with real ambition, a real desire to perform," he told Guadeloupe la 1ère. "There's a certain consistency, a certain progression. I don't rule anything out, and I tell myself anything is possible."
