The Jersey-born sailor previously won the Route du Rhum in 18 days 10 hours 21 minutes 18 seconds in 2006, the first year for a Class 40 division in this race, and after competing in just one solo race, the 2005 Mini Transat, Phil made it to the start line of the Route du Rhum to join a fleet of 25 boats. , Phil crossed the finish line in Guadeloupe almost a whole day ahead of second place.

The single-handed race, which is marking its 40th anniversary this year, will start on 4 November from St. Malo, with Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) as final destination. Over 120 boats across six race classes are expected on the start line, and once again, the Class 40 will represent the largest fleet with 50 entries.

The current record is held by French sailor Loïck Peyron who finished the course in seven days 15h 8m 32s in 2014.

After storming back on to the Class 40 scene two years ago with a podium finish in the gruelling solo Transat bakerly, Phil says he feels qualified for the Route du Rhum. While there are still 200 days to go before the race, preparation is focussed on sailing single-handed.

Route du Rhum race route

Pictured: The Route du Rhum sees sailors leave from St. Malo to reach Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe.

With the arrival of additional latest generation Class 40 boats, repeating the success of last year will certainly fit Phil’s constant pursuit for a challenge. This, coupled with the demands of solo racing is expected to make the battle to win the 2018 Championship a bittersweet cocktail of relentless endurance, strategic genius, 24/7 maximum boat speed, and punishing sleep deprivation.

While Phil may not be equipped with the fastest boat, his team says his reputation for sheer determination and personal drive should not be looked upon lightly by competitors.

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Pictured: Phil Sharp will be tackling the 2018 Championship aboard his Class 40 Imerys Clean Energy.

Racing aboard Imerys Clean Energy, Phil will be competing in four events prior to November’s grand-slam. The season kicks off  in just over a week with a solo warm-up on 23 April: the 1000 Milles des Sables, where skippers will be provided with the race route just days before.

A month later on 27 May, Phil will return to the battle of the Channel, with the double-handed Normandy Channel Race. After winning last year’s edition in record breaking time, the core objective will be to defend this race win for 2018.

In July, Phil will go back to solo configuration for the Drheam Cup from La Trinité-sur-Mer to Cherbourg, after rounding Fastnet Rock. This race, departing on 21 July, will mark the final showdown of solo preparation amongst the Class 40s prior to the Route du Rhum, and ahead of the final crewed race of the year, the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland race, starting on 12 August.