Captured on camera: solo ocean racing pt2

In part two of Christian Fevrier's gallery, in association with the Blue Green photo agency, we look at the 1980s and 90s

One of the most extraordinary yacht races ever held was the 1986 Route du Rhum, the fleet pictured her in St Malo prior to the start. At this time the maximum size limit in the multihull class was 85ft while the smaller 60footers raced in class two. The 85 footers, the forebearers of the present generation of giant catamarans, were absolute beasts. Most had 120ft tall wingmasts as seen on Elf Aquitaine (bottom right), while the biggest mast of all was fitted to Royale four boats to her right. Remember, these boats had to be sailed singlehanded...

Tragically Royale capsized with the loss of her skipper Loic Caradec. This led to a rationalisation in the class, with the size limit ultimately ending up at its present limit of 60ft.



Cup final day? Only matched in recent years by the Vendee Globe, the popularity of the Route du Rhum among the public in France cannot be underestimated as seen here by the turn out on a nearby headland to watch the start. We can expect to see similar scenes for this year's event.