French skipper Maxime Sorel took fifth place in the IMOCA class on the 12th Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe when he crossed the finish line on his new V and B-Monbana-Mayenne at 22:14:42hrs UTC. 18:14:42 local time. He finished into Pointe-à-Pitre 15 hours 23 minutes and 17 seconds after the winner Thomas Ruyant (LinkedOut). His race time is 12 days, 08 hours, 59 minutes and 42 seconds.

He completed the 3,542 miles of the course between Saint-Malo and Pointe-à-Pitre at a speed of 11.93 knots on the great circle (direct route). He actually covered 4,203.12 miles at an average speed of 14.15 knots (on the water)

Maxime Sorel's first words on the dock

“I raced most of all to experience my magnificent new boat. I wanted to finish, to qualify for the Vendée Globe. I knew that this IMOCA had geat potential. I was wondering if I was going to be able to set the right level through all the first fronts we passed. I had lots of questions. It's just incredible, from the first day, around Brittany I fought with the pack in front, until now at the finish it never stopped! Even in the trade winds I pushed the boat very hard we had to be careful. Four days before the finish, I took 5th place then I had pilot issues I had to stop. Paul Meilhat overtook me. I put the foot back down hard and it worked, I got back in front

“The Route du Rhum is an incredible sprint”

"I was so tired that I couldn't sleep, I was in a daze. The only time I could fall asleep was when I was doing the weather, it's a bit of a shame (laughs). As soon as I moved the mouse, I fell asleep. I have never psuhed so far and hard in a race, I have never put so much intensity into a solo race. The Route du Rhum is just one incredible sprint. I am happy to have been able to hold on to the leaders in front. Thomas Ruyant was outstanding, I'm happy not to be very far away. »

“These boats are really difficult, stressful”

“Downwind I did a lot of tests on the boat, I worked a lot. I learned a lot. Now we still have to work, to analyze everything well. Clearly we have made a jump forward. These boats are really difficult, stressful. I have not eaten half of the food on board, I changed very little. Everything is difficult to do on board. It's an amazing life on board, I still can't really imagine myself on a round the world trip. »