On 1 November, Charlie Capelle will set off solo on his seventh Route du Rhum, sailing from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre aboard Acapella. As the countdown to joining the pontoons of the Corsair City begins, Proludic, together with La Chaîne de l’Espoir, is looking forward to sharing the excitement of the official race village and the departure festivities. Final adjustments, final checks and final training sails are now underway as Charlie enters the last phase of a long and meticulous preparation. The sailor, renowned for the deep affection he has for his “Stradivarius of the oceans”, is approaching this final stretch with the determination that defines him.
Since Acapella was launched, I’ve continued preparing the boat every day, going out to sea to fine-tune the settings, check the sails and rigging, and above all learn how to operate the completely renewed electrical and electronic systems
explains Charlie. Acapella has regained all of her former splendour and is certain to stand out among the fleet of 118 boats, representing every size and generation, expected on the starting line of the legendary transatlantic race this autumn.
Thorough physical and medical preparation
Time seems to have no effect on the little yellow trimaran, despite the fact that it holds the record for the greatest number of Route du Rhum participations. Nor does it seem to affect her skipper, who is preparing to start the race in the best possible condition.
At 71 years old, Charlie Capelle will be the oldest competitor in the 13th edition of the Route du Rhum— a distinction he embraces with discipline, leaving nothing to chance over the past four years.
In addition to the thousands of hours devoted to the complete restoration of his faithful companion, Charlie has followed a long-term physical training programme tailored to his needs.
“My secret is practising aquabike and Pilates on a regular basis. Both activities strengthen the deep muscles without putting strain on the body. They’ve become part of my daily routine over the past two years,” explains the sailor, whose greatest source of energy remains the simple pleasure of sailing aboard Acapella.
Crossing the Atlantic alone aboard an 11.5-metre trimaran remains a formidable challenge. At his age, there was no question of embarking on such an adventure without a comprehensive medical assessment.
To prepare, Charlie completed a three-week programme at the Kerpape Rehabilitation Centre in Ploemeur, one of France’s leading sports rehabilitation facilities. Following an extensive health assessment, including advanced biological examinations supervised by Dr Thierry Charland, the reference physician for offshore racing, Charlie was declared to be in excellent condition.
“The verdict is clear: I’m fit for duty!” smiles the skipper of Acapella, who also attributes his readiness to a healthy lifestyle and particular attention to nutrition.
Summer races
Confident and eager to once again experience the unique atmosphere of the transatlantic race linking Brittany to Guadeloupe, Charlie has lined up for several preparatory events. At the end of June, Acapella competed with a crew in the Ronde Sénane, the traditional race around the island of Sein starting from Audierne—an event Charlie has taken part in for many years.
The second major milestone was the Drheam Cup, sailed double-handed between Cherbourg and Lorient through the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay.
“It was a great course and, above all, an excellent validation test ahead of the major challenge awaiting me in November,” says Charlie.
Over four days at sea and nearly 700 nautical miles (approximately 1,300 km) sailed in highly varied weather conditions—almost a quarter of an Atlantic crossing—the crew enjoyed an intense race. Apart from a minor halyard issue, the boat suffered no damage.
“The boat is in perfect condition.”
The sporting result reflected the quality of the preparation, with a hard-fought race that finished just short of a podium place.
Next step: solo sailing
The countdown has now truly begun.
From early August, Charlie will complete a solo qualifying passage along a route defined by the Route du Rhum Race Director. The programme includes between 1,000 and 1,500 nautical miles through the Bay of Biscay on a course specifically designed to provide a full-scale rehearsal of solo manoeuvres.
One final step before reaching the starting line off Saint-Malo on 1 November, where the trimaran proudly carrying the colours of La Chaîne de l’Espoir and Proludic—the race’s most faithful participant—is already eagerly awaited by supporters and sailing enthusiasts alike.
