The crossing of the Rhum Route 2026 continues under demanding conditions for Alexia Barrier. Aboard the trimaran IDEC SPORT-CIC, the navigator from Antibes has had to deal with a weather front, gusts and a cross sea. Despite a restless night, the boat presents no technical problems and the skipper continues her progress towards Guadeloupe.
The passage of the weather front near the Azores imposed a new night of maneuvers for Alexia Barrier. After a previous day marked by beautiful conditions, the situation became more complicated with strengthening wind and a built-up sea. The navigator notably had to gradually reduce sail to adapt the trimaran to the conditions encountered.
« A night not at all restful with a small front ahead of the Azores while yesterday’s day was magnificent », she recounts in her latest message from the boat.
The passage had been anticipated with the technical team on shore. Clément Surtel, technical director of The Famous Project, clarifies that the sail changes had been prepared in advance. Alexia Barrier thus replaced the J1 with the J2, before taking a reef in the mainsail, then moving to the J3.
In the strongest gusts, the trimaran can reach 40 knots. The cross sea and accelerations make movements particularly delicate. The navigator must go out to adjust the sails, while protecting herself from the wind and the boat’s movements. « Because when you’re going at 30 knots of speed or more, you really have to hold on. And so I find that’s the most difficult thing because it takes a lot of energy, just to go adjust the sails without even mentioning turning the winches, but just going outside, sometimes it’s a bit intense », explains Alexia Barrier.
Sleep deprivation, a challenge ahead
This succession of maneuvers left little recovery time for the navigator from Antibes. After several disturbed nights since the start, sleep remains a significant difficulty. On a maxi-trimaran launched at high speed, each intervention requires energy and vigilance.
Nevertheless, the technical assessment remains reassuring this Thursday, November 5th. IDEC SPORT-CIC presents no damage and Alexia Barrier is well. The priority now is to take advantage of calmer periods to recover strength before the next weather difficulties.
The navigator is also awaiting the latest information from her weather experts, Louis and Christian Dumard, in order to define the strategy to adopt for the day. « I’ve slept little and now I’ll need to put up more sail. I need to flex the muscles. I’m waiting for news from my weather experts. And then we’ll tackle the day’s strategy », she explains.
IDEC SPORT-CIC continues its route towards Guadeloupe
While some staff members have already headed to Guadeloupe, Alexia Barrier is seeking to progress as quickly as possible towards the south and more favorable conditions. The trimaran is currently moving faster than the Ocean Fifty nearby, but the weather situation remains complex. The trade winds are not yet established and new difficulties could slow the progress of the Maralpine. In the standings, no change for Alexia Barrier who remains in 5th place but now 200 nautical miles behind Guirec Soudée.
Beyond sporting performance, this crossing also responds to a scientific objective as she had already done during her Vendée Globe in 2020. Alexia Barrier’s mission consists of collecting data at sea for researchers and students studying the ocean. An additional dimension to this participation in the Rhum Route 2026.
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