{"id":15287,"date":"2026-11-05T15:22:06","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T14:22:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/route-du-rhum-2026-djemila-tassins-gear-sailiz\/"},"modified":"2026-11-05T15:22:39","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T14:22:39","slug":"route-du-rhum-2026-djemila-tassins-gear-sailiz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/en\/route-du-rhum-2026-djemila-tassins-gear-sailiz\/","title":{"rendered":"Route du Rhum 2026: Djemila Tassin&#8217;s Gear | Sailiz"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In brief<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Djemila Tassin, the first Belgian woman to start the Route du Rhum, sails her Class40 <em>Magenta<\/em> in Sailiz gear, custom-designed based on her measurements and sea trials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Three criteria guided the design: <strong>safety<\/strong> (gear that doesn&#8217;t hinder movement), <strong>durability<\/strong> (PFAS-free Tempest 3L membrane, lifetime repairs), and <strong>performance<\/strong> (cuts tailored to the female morphology).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Pro Racing<\/strong> smock and bib, born from this collaboration, are now open for pre-order for Spring-Summer 2027 delivery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Route du Rhum \u2013 Destination Guadeloupe is a solo transatlantic race held every four years since 1978. The 13th edition started on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 1:02 PM, departing from Saint-Malo.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">The Route du Rhum 2026 in figures<\/h2>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Key Info<\/th><th>2026 Edition<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Start<\/td><td>Saint-Malo, Sunday, November 1, 2026, 1:02 PM<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Finish<\/td><td>Pointe-\u00e0-Pitre (Guadeloupe)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Distance<\/td><td>3,542 miles, approximately 6,560 km<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Format<\/td><td>Solo, non-stop, unassisted<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Classes<\/td><td>Ultim, Ocean Fifty, IMOCA, Class40, Vintage Mono, Vintage Multi<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Registered Skippers<\/td><td>118 (including 49 in Class40)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Why is this edition historic for gender diversity?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eleven female sailors were entered in 2026, a record for the race. There were only two in the first edition in 1978. The female presence is strongest in the Class40, with six female skippers: Djemila Tassin, Th\u00e9a Khelif, Aina Bauza, Sophie Faguet, Pamela Lee, and Sasha Lani\u00e8ce.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This record says something about the sport, but also about what surrounds it. When more women sail at high intensity, their gear stops being a detail: it becomes a matter of safety and performance.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DSC4265_Sailiz_by_Mathieu_koiko-1-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"Pro Racing set\" class=\"wp-image-15191\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DSC4265_Sailiz_by_Mathieu_koiko-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DSC4265_Sailiz_by_Mathieu_koiko-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DSC4265_Sailiz_by_Mathieu_koiko-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DSC4265_Sailiz_by_Mathieu_koiko-1-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DSC4265_Sailiz_by_Mathieu_koiko-1-2048x1366.webp 2048w, https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DSC4265_Sailiz_by_Mathieu_koiko-1-600x400.webp 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Who is Djemila Tassin?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Djemila Tassin is 31 years old. Belgian-born, she grew up in the Canary Islands on the island of La Palma before turning to offshore racing. She competed in her first Mini Transat in 2021 and became the first Belgian woman to start the Route du Rhum.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She races on <em>Magenta<\/em> (BEL153), a Mach40.3 Class40 designed by Sam Manuard, built by JPS Production, and launched in 2018. Her home port is Lorient, just like Sailiz. She is also preparing for the 2027 Global Solo Challenge, a solo round-the-world race.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the morning of November 5, she held 24th place out of 49 in the Class40 after four days of racing.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">How was Djemila&#8217;s gear designed?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Sailiz, we didn&#8217;t just adapt an existing garment for her. We built the outfit with her over several months, based on her measurements, her program, and her offshore experience. She tested it at sea, and every piece of feedback modified the next prototype. The prototypes were black; the final series is orange.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three criteria guided this work.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:15px\">1. Safety<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ill-fitting gear is dangerous: sleeves that are too long and get caught, restricted movement on deck, or hoods and collars that limit vision. When sailing solo with no one to help, these details matter. Our pieces are designed with over 300 female sailors and tested in real conditions.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:15px\">2. Durability<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The gear uses a <strong>PFAS-free Tempest 3L<\/strong> membrane and recyclable materials. It is repairable for life through our partnership with Les R\u00e9parables. Gear you repair is gear you keep\u2014which matters when every piece is expensive and travels far.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:15px\">3. Performance<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cuts follow the female morphology: the gear stays in place during tacks and on deck, without gaping or riding up. For a female skipper maneuvering alone for over a week, freedom of movement saves both energy and time.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Why is adapted gear a matter of sea safety?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a long time, most technical sailing clothes were designed using male patterns and then scaled down to smaller sizes. The result is well-known to female sailors: sleeves and legs that are too long, misplaced waistlines, and floating shoulders.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is first a comfort issue, but at sea, gear that hinders grip, slows down a movement, or lets in water in the wrong place leads to fatigue and error. Safety isn&#8217;t limited to life jackets and tethers: it starts with what you wear on your body for days on end.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">What is the link between gender diversity and gear?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A sport is truly diverse when women can practice under equivalent conditions, including equipment. Gear, training, representation, communication: equipment is a concrete lever, and it can be fixed.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the core of the Sailiz approach: a Breton brand based in Lorient, created by a female sailor, designing technical gear with and for women. Its founder, Sol\u00e8ne Saclier, notably received the &#8220;Jury&#8217;s Favorite&#8221; award in Bpifrance&#8217;s 101 Femmes competition for a bib designed by and for female sailors.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Where can you find Djemila&#8217;s gear?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Pro Racing<\/strong> smock and bib, resulting from this work, are open for pre-order, with delivery scheduled for Spring-Summer 2027. <a href=\"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/en\/product-category\/racing\/\">Pre-order the Pro Racing smock and bib<\/a><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To start sailing now, the <strong>Element offshore<\/strong> range includes an offshore jacket and bib, available in the <a href=\"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/en\/shop\/\">Sailiz shop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Who is the first Belgian woman to participate in the Route du Rhum?<\/strong> Djemila Tassin, 31, skipper of the Class40 <em>Magenta<\/em>, is competing in the Route du Rhum 2026. She grew up in the Canary Islands and her home port is Lorient.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many women are participating in the Route du Rhum 2026?<\/strong> Eleven female sailors are entered, a record for the race. There were two in 1978. Six of them are racing in Class40.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is the distance of the Route du Rhum 2026?<\/strong> The course between Saint-Malo and Pointe-\u00e0-Pitre is 3,542 miles, approximately 6,560 km, solo, non-stop, and unassisted.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why is gear a safety issue for female sailors?<\/strong> Clothing that is too long, too wide, or that restricts movement hinders maneuvers and increases fatigue. In a solo race, these flaws have direct consequences. That is why Djemila&#8217;s gear was custom-designed and tested at sea.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is the PFAS-free Tempest 3L membrane?<\/strong> It is a three-layer (3L) waterproof membrane manufactured without per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). it is used in the Sailiz gear worn by Djemila Tassin.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can I buy Djemila Tassin&#8217;s gear?<\/strong> The Pro Racing smock and bib are available for pre-order, with delivery in Spring-Summer 2027. The Element offshore range is available immediately.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Follow Djemila during the crossing<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We post updates on Djemila in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/sailiz_voile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a> stories. Official race tracking is available at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.routedurhum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">routedurhum.com<\/a>. You can also watch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DfHbUCFtfJb\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">onboard gear trials<\/a> filmed before the start.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Djemila Tassin, the first Belgian woman to start the Route du Rhum, sails in Sailiz gear. Safety, diversity, durability: how the equipment was designed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15174,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[156,157],"class_list":["post-15287","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-non-categorise","tag-news","tag-offshore-racing"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15287","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15287"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15287\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15288,"href":"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15287\/revisions\/15288"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15287"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15287"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sailiz.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}