Sam Goodchild is charging through the Atlantic in third place in the Route du Rhum IMOCA class aboard MACIF Santé Prévoyance, posting impressive speeds as the fleet races towards Guadeloupe. Sitting around 300 miles behind the leader at the latest position report, the British skipper is satisfied with how the second half of his crossing has unfolded after a difficult start in the North Atlantic.
Goodchild began his first Route du Rhum in an IMOCA among the frontrunners but lost ground on Monday evening southwest of Ireland after waiting too long to head south. It is a tactical decision he openly regrets, though it has not knocked him out of contention. He passed just two miles ahead of Corentin before the misstep and initially believed the northern option would carry less risk. A brief dip in morale followed, but with the race only in its second day, Goodchild quickly refocused, rolling up his sleeves with the goal of reaching Guadeloupe as fast as possible while sailing cleanly and seizing every opportunity.
Since that setback, MACIF Santé Prévoyance has been flying. In a north-northwesterly wind, Goodchild is averaging 25 knots as he arrows towards the Caribbean. Seas that had been punishing over recent hours, with waves exceeding four metres, have eased to around 2.5 to 3 metres, offering some relief. Still, focus on board remains intense. Finding the right rhythm, looking after the boat, and managing rest are all critical as this leg stretches over two and a half days.
The 36-year-old skipper is pushing his IMOCA hard while keeping a careful eye on its condition. He reports that the boat is holding up well, and his priority is maintaining pace with the competition while preserving MACIF Santé Prévoyance in good shape for the final stretch.
A significant strategic challenge lies ahead. A new low-pressure system has formed north of Guadeloupe, sitting almost directly on the competitors’ route. Whether to go around it to the south or attempt to punch through it remains an open question. Goodchild noted that Tom Laperche had decided to cross the system, and he plans to watch how others handle it before committing to his own approach. A gybe is planned for tonight as he angles south.
At this stage of the race, predicting the final rankings is nearly impossible. Between technical and physical issues faced by some competitors, varying weather options, and the potential for light winds on the approach to Guadeloupe, nothing is settled. Goodchild acknowledges that anything is still possible and is keeping his attention firmly on his own race and the goal of reaching the finish.
This first Route du Rhum in an IMOCA is also proving to be a valuable learning experience for Goodchild, whose next boat is currently under construction. While MACIF Santé Prévoyance is confirming its speed credentials, the skipper is using the solo crossing to reflect on practical improvements. His thoughts centre on usability and life on board, such as adding a handrail or better ways to secure sails, the kinds of details that inform the design of a future campaign boat.
For now, Goodchild presses on at full speed. With one more low-pressure system to negotiate and miles still to make up, the closing stages of this Atlantic crossing promise to be anything but straightforward.
In other news from the fleet, Violette Dorange and Initiatives-Cœur have been forced to retire from the race. Following a collision on 1 November off Bréhat, Dorange and her team did everything possible to get the boat back into competition, but ultimately had to withdraw.
