Alexia Barrier brought IDEC Sport-CIC across the line in Pointe-a-Pitre after navigating 3,542 nautical miles from Saint-Malo in 10 days, 7 hours, and 40 minutes. She persevered through a torn mainsail and late winch malfunctions during a contest won in record time by fellow French sailor Tom Laperche. The grueling conditions caused three of the eight starting maxi-trimarans to abandon the transatlantic race entirely. Her fifth-place achievement builds on a career that includes finishing the Vendee Globe and leading an all-female crew around the Jules Verne Trophy route.
Key points
Barrier successfully navigated the oldest trimaran in the fleet to fifth place despite en…: Barrier successfully navigated the oldest trimaran in the fleet to fifth place despite enduring a torn mainsail and late winch problems.
The finish adds to Barrier's endurance sailing resume, which includes completing the Vend…: The finish adds to Barrier's endurance sailing resume, which includes completing the Vendee Globe and skippering an all-female Jules Verne Trophy crew.
Looking ahead from her transatlantic milestone, Barrier has set her sights on competing i…: Looking ahead from her transatlantic milestone, Barrier has set her sights on competing in the solo Arkea Ultim Challenge in January 2028.
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Sailing-France's Barrier first woman to finish Route du Rhum in Ultim class
PARIS, Nov 11 : France's Alexia Barrier became the first woman to complete the Route du Rhum in the Ultim class on Wednesday, finishing fifth after a punishing transatlantic race that forced three of the eight giant trimarans to retire.
The 46-year-old crossed the finish line in Pointe-a-Pitre at 1542 local time on Wednesday (1942 GMT) aboard IDEC Sport-CIC, completing the 3,542-nautical-mile race from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe in 10 days, 7 hours and 40 minutes.
She arrived more than three days behind her compatriot Tom Laperche, who skippered SVR-Lazartigue to victory in the Ultim class in record time.
Thomas Coville, aboard Sodebo Ultim 3, was second and Louis Burton, skipper of Armand Thiery, took third, with LIAMM skipper Guirec Soudee finishing just off the podium.
Barrier struggled to match the leaders aboard IDEC Sport-CIC, the oldest Ultim in the fleet, launched in 2006. Ultim trimarans can measure up to 32 metres long and 23 metres wide (105 feet by 75 feet).
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