Route du Rhum 2026: Alexia Barrier anticipates a tropical depression and fights fatigue

Just days before arriving in Guadeloupe, Alexia Barrier must face a new challenge on the 2026 Rhum Route. Aboard the maxi-trimaran ULTIM IDEC SPORT-CIC, the navigator from Antibes is preparing to face a tropical depression accompanied by strengthening winds and rougher seas. A new demanding sequence that comes after several days of particularly fragmented sleep.

Micro-naps to last until arrival

Fatigue is beginning to weigh on the navigator. Since the start of the Rhum Route, opportunities to sleep for more than twenty consecutive minutes have been rare. To endure over the long term, Alexia Barrier has therefore adopted a method based on very short rest periods, repeated throughout the day. “I’m doing lots and lots of micro-naps, between two and ten minutes, to try to recharge my batteries as much as possible,” describes the native of Maralps.

When fatigue becomes too great, a few minutes of additional sleep become necessary, even when the timing isn’t ideal. The navigator also uses music to maintain her attention and stay awake. “The other option, I turn the music up loud and I sing. Try it if you need to stay awake, but don’t try it while driving, it’s super dangerous,” she says with humor.

This sleep management constitutes an important issue for the rest of the crossing. Alone on board, Alexia Barrier must maintain enough lucidity to perform maneuvers and make the right decisions, despite the accumulation of sailing hours.

A tropical depression to navigate around

This Saturday, November 7, a new weather difficulty looms ahead of IDEC SPORT-CIC. The trimaran is heading toward a tropical depression that the team has chosen to circumnavigate. The passage must be accompanied by strengthening winds, with gusts capable of reaching 45 knots, as well as rougher seas.

To avoid finding herself in difficulty when conditions deteriorate, Alexia Barrier has begun progressively reducing sail. The navigator notably rolled her headsail, the J1, before continuing adjustments with the J2 and a first reef in the mainsail.

A second reduction of the mainsail is planned if the wind continues to strengthen. Switching to the J3 can also be considered when conditions require it. “We did the same thing last night and actually, I don’t have the timing down for all the maneuvers solo, so we try, we anticipate sometimes, sometimes a little too much, but that’s better than the opposite,” explains the navigator.

Experience shows that an anticipated maneuver remains preferable to an intervention performed in urgency, when wind and sea already complicate movements on the boat.

Alexia Barrier still in fifth place at 940 nautical miles from finish

As Alexia Barrier continues her crossing, the race leader is drawing closer to Pointe-à-Pitre. Tom Laperche is expected in Guadeloupe within the next four to five hours. Barring any unexpected turn of events, the skipper of SVR-Lazartigue should win this 2026 edition of the Rhum Route.

For her part, Alexia Barrier continues to hold fifth place in the ULTIM category. Aboard IDEC SPORT-CIC, the navigator from Antibes is still 940 nautical miles from the finish. Guadeloupe therefore remains at a distance, with several hundred miles to cover and a tropical depression to negotiate.

Despite the difficulties encountered since the start, the technical assessment remains positive. “The boat is still going at 100%,” indicates Clément Surtel, technical director of The Famous Project. No damage has been reported aboard the maxi-trimaran.

The challenge is now to pass through this depression without compromising the integrity of the boat, while allowing Alexia Barrier to conserve enough energy for the final days of racing. The route to Pointe-à-Pitre continues, but the final miles of the 2026 Rhum Route promise to be demanding.