Sam Goodchild skipper of MACIF Santé Prevoyance is one of the outstanding favourites to the win the IMOCA class on the Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe.
Goodchild has sailed in the Figaro, Class40, Ocean Fifty, and Ultim classes but has only been competing full-time in IMOCAs for four years. He has already built up an impressive record, with finishes in The Ocean Race (2nd in 2023), the Course des Caps (1st in 2024), and the Transat Café L’Or (3rd in 2025).
The 37 year old sailor who originates from England’s west country plays down being described as a favourite to win. He reminds us he was favourite to win the Ocean Fifty class four years ago and he did not get past Cape Frehel!
So, feet on the ground, head focused on ‘controlling the controllables’ . . . Goodchild will be using all of his experience to prevail this time.
We are aiming to win it. That’s very clearly the aim. We’ve no chance to forget that’s the aims as everyone reminds us regularly.
It’s true I didn’t get to experience much, but that’s part of offshore racing, and while these experiences are certainly painful, they’re useful for the future.
Experience is invaluable in our sport; we’re constantly learning, especially from setbacks. And my motivation is always to win!
We’ve got a good boat, a great team and we’ve got the tools to do it. But a race is a race. We’re happy with how we’re prepared and what we’ve changed on the boat.