Legend Loïck Peyron Returning to Route du Rhum

Call it a unique opportunity to own a legendary racer’s iconic yacht.

That’s what just about anyone would tell you if they knew the history behind Loïck Peyron’s Custom 39 named HAPPY, which was designed by Walter Greene and is a sistership to OLYMPUS PHOTO, the ground-breaking boat Canadian Mike Birch sailed to a stunning victory in the first Route du Rhum in 1978.

Back to His Roots

Of course, Peyron is no stranger himself to the storied transatlantic competition, having entered it several times before, even earning the top spot in 2014 – in record time no less (see video below).

He’d planned to race HAPPY that year, but after Armel Le Cléac’h suffered a hand injury and needed a relief skipper aboard his giant, 103′ mulithull called MAXI SOLO BANQUE POPULAIRE VII, Peyron abandoned the idea of what would have been one of the oldest, slowest and, perhaps, smallest yachts ever to enter. 

As it turns out, the roughly 40-year-old wooden trimaran will have another opportunity at the spotlight, given Peyron is headed back to his roots in November and will put his 39′ throw-back to the test for the 2018 edition of the Route du Rhum.

For the Love of Racing

But he won’t exactly be gunning for first place again. In fact, Denison yacht broker Jean-Marie Cabri, who is representing the sale of Peyron’s Custom 39, said his efforts this year will be about “the love of the race and the love of sailing.”

It’s certainly not as if the former Artemis Racing America’s Cup team helmsman, who’s also been called the “greatest living sailor,” needs to prove anything, to anyone, at this point. But just so those following the upcoming Route du Rhum understand how skillful of a sailor Peyron truly is, he’ll be making the transatlantic haul “with no GPS on board, no modern electronics, and only equipped with what was available or allowed at the time of the first race, a half a century ago,” Jean-Marie noted. 

The boat will be available in Guadeloupe after the November race. To set up a private showing, email Jean-Marie or call (310) 600-9670.