Route du Rhum: Alexia Barrier, the Ultimate Navigator

Route du Rhum: Alexia Barrier, the Ultimate Navigator
Published on: 17/10/2026

The "Mondial Sports" program featured an interview with Alexia Barrier, a sailor embarking on an unprecedented adventure. Alexia Barrier planned to participate in the Route du Rhum, a notable transatlantic race, making her the first woman to undertake this challenge in the Ultim class, the most prestigious category of the event. She prepared to take the helm of her 32-meter trimaran, IDEC Sport – CIC, as the first woman in history to start the Route du Rhum at the controls of an Ultim multihull.

The race is set to begin on November 1, with over a hundred sailors launching from the west coast of France to the Caribbean, specifically from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe. This marks the first time since the race's inception in 1970 that a woman will command one of the largest boats in the competition, representing the pinnacle of the event.

At 46 years old, Alexia Barrier aimed to add some nautical miles to her already exceptional career. Earlier in 2026, she achieved a significant milestone by completing a round-the-world trip led by an all-female crew during the Trophée Jules-Verne, another famous race. This historical journey was documented in a book she recently published with Glénat, titled "À jamais les premières".

In the episode of "Mondial Sports," Alexia discussed her extraordinary journey, from discovering her calling on the shores of the Mediterranean to her greatest achievements at sea. The program also paid tribute to prominent figures in the sailing world, including the late Florence Arthaud and Charlie Dalin. Additionally, Guirec Soudée, another participant in the upcoming Route du Rhum, joined the conversation in the second part of the show.