Alexis Loison has been forced to turn back on the fourth day of the Route du Rhum 2026 after losing his safran, Le Télégramme reports. The French skipper's race ended early when the foil-like appendage was torn from his boat, leaving him no option but to head back.
The same day brought a more serious incident at sea. According to Route du Rhum, the Maxi Banque Populaire XI, skippered by Armel Le Cléac'h, capsized during the night. Le Parisien reports that Le Cléac'h had taken precautions intended to prevent exactly this kind of capsize, which nonetheless occurred.
The two setbacks are part of a race that L'Équipe describes as having produced dramatic incidents — capsizes, a dismasting and a collision — while noting that the number of such troubles has so far been relatively low compared with previous editions of the event.
The 2026 edition is still in its early stages, with the fleet several days into the crossing. The losses of Loison and Le Cléac'h remove two experienced competitors from the running and reshape the picture at the front of the fleet.
Attention now turns to the condition of Le Cléac'h and his boat after the capsize, and to whether the remaining skippers can avoid further damage as the race continues.
