François Gabart, so close to the unbelievable, finished 7 minutes behind Francis Joyon.
In the lead since the thirtieth hour of the race, but slowed down by a cascade of damages, François Gabart didn't give up until the finish line, but this didn't allow him to make the difference. He ended up conceding victory in the Ultime category to Francis Joyon in the final miles. The skipper of the MACIF trimaran finished second after 7 days 14 hours 28 minutes and 55 seconds of racing.
On Monday 12th November, at 0428 hours (French time), François Gabart crossed the finish line of the 11th Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe in 2nd place in the Ultime category, aboard the trimaran MACIF.
After 7 days 14 hours, 28 minutes and 55 seconds of racing, he conceded 7 minutes and 08 seconds to the winner, Francis Joyon (IDEC Sport), the new reference time holder in 7 days 14 hours 21 minutes and 47 seconds.
Penalized by a problem with the headsail, which was rendered unusable; but also the loss of the starboard foil from the second night; the loss of the port rudder on Tuesday; and recurrent problems with the mainsail battens; the MACIF trimaran was never able to express her full potential. This second place therefore takes on a whole new flavour against IDEC Sport, a boat that has won the Route du Rhum three times, since Loïck Peyron in 2014 and Franck Cammas in 2010 had already brought her to triumph.
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