28 November 1978

In an incredibly close sprint to the line Mike BIRCH (CAN) on his trimaran Olympus Photo sped past the much bigger monohull Kriter V to win the first edition of the Route du Rhum – adding an emphatic visual blow to the case for multihull superiority.

The 3,500 nm race from St Malo, France to Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe ended in a monohull versus multihull sprint finish which instantly thrust the race into the forefront of the sailing world.

Undeterred by the poor weather prevalent during north Atlantic crossings during November, 39 starters lined up for the inaugural Route du Rhum race in November 1978. Whilst the majority of the fleet where monohulls, a strong line up of 13 trimarans and a catamaran where also challenging for honours. Amongst those on three hulls was 47 year old Canadian Mike BIRCH, sailing his friend Walter GREENE’s A Capella, renamed Olympus Photo for the race.

Bad weather at the start forced many early retirements, but BIRCH and Olympus Photo pressed on, taking the safer southern route across the Atlantic. The group taking the potentially faster northern option included Michel MALINOVSKI (FRA) on the 70 foot monohull Kriter V and Alain COLAS (FRA) on the trimaran Manureva, the winner of the 1972 OSTAR.

Seven days into the race and MALINOVSKI and COLAS were heading to the north of the Azores, whilst to the south BIRCH was trailing Olivier DE KERSAUSON (FRA) in the trimaran Kriter IV. As the race progressed, communications became more and more irregular. COLAS disappeared without a trace, casting a tragic shadow over the race. BIRCH also caused concern as the race organizers awaited news from the Canadian.

After 25 days reconnaissance flights located MALINOVSKI and BIRCH, who had remained on their respective north and south headings, and were now almost equidistant from the finish. As the miles ticked down the two boats continued to converge and the crowds gathered on the Guadeloupe cliffs to watch the fight to the finish.

Kriter V was first to appear at the northern point of Guadeloupe, but MALINOVSKI’s joy was to be short-lived. The Frenchman struggled for pace as he beat upwind at 8 knots and the small yellow ship powered up behind him. Reaching at 17 knots, Olympus Photo sped past the monohull as the finish line approached and recorded a famous victory in 23 days, 6 hours, 57 minutes and 35 seconds – just 98 seconds ahead of MALINOVSKI.

Where Are They Now

Mike BIRCH’s win catapulted him into the forefront of the sailing world and his enthusiasm for multihulls both large and small has been evident ever since. He helmed the maxi catamaran Formule Tag in the 1980s and was a regular competitor in the world’s great ocean races.

ISAF In 1978

In 1978, the Netherlands hosted the first ever IYRU Women's Sailing World Championship, with gold medals going to Lyndal COXON (AUS) in the Laser and Cathy FOSTER and Wendy HILDER (GBR) in the 420.

Current ISAF President Göran PETERSSON (SWE) also joined the IYRU in 1978, which was then led by Beppe CROCE (ITA).