GYC member Simon Koster sailing solo across the Atlantic
Professional sailor Simon Koster began on 9 November an unprecedented Transatlantic challenge. After successful results with second place in the Transat Jacques Fabre 2021 and 1st place in the Normandie Channel Race, Simon Koster felt ready to brave the elements once again.

Normally a member of the Rösti Sailing Team, with skipper and partner Valentin Gautier, he set out alone on their Class40 boat “Banque du Leman” to sail the “Route du Rhum” from St. Malo, France to Guadeloupe, also known as the Queen of the Transatlantic Solo Races.

This epic regatta, which had the highest number of solo sailors (138) in its 44-year history, started on November 9 to cross the Atlantic between Saint-Malo and Pointe-à-Pitre. The Route du Rhum is a race against the elements and against the clock, crowning the fastest in each category. The race is held in six different boat classes and has the largest fleet of ocean sailors of all classes on the same starting line ever.

This transatlantic race, with a total distance of 3542 nautical miles, has become legendary because of the diversity of the different boat classes and the mix of participants. Some of the best soloists in the sailing world, professionals and amateurs, meet every four years to experience “the magic of Rhum”.

The fact that each skipper must come face-to-face with the ocean, and take on their own human adventure, puts everyone on the same footing. Here, some of the most incredible stories of ocean racing have been written.

After 14 days, 18 hours and 45 minutes at sea, Simon finally arrived in Guadeloupe aboard his Class40 Banque du Léman. The Swiss sailor finished the famous one-hand regatta, which also meant the final chord for the Rösti Sailing Team project, in a fantastic fourth place, achieving the best result for Switzerland at the famous route of rum - destination Guadeloupe. “I’m very satisfied with my race,” explained Simon afterwards. “The placement is within the framework of my expectations.”

GSTAAD YACHT CLUB