The international jury for the Route du Rhum has officially ruled that Violette Dorange, skipper of the IMOCA Initiatives-Cœur, was at fault in the collision with Romain Pilliard’s trimaran Use It Again.
The incident occurred shortly after the race start on November 1, leading to Dorange’s retirement.
Collision Impacts Vendée Globe Plans and Project Visibility
- Strategic Rebuild: Violette Dorange’s early exit forces an immediate pivot to the 2028 Vendée Globe qualification cycle.
- Pilliard Resilience: Romain Pilliard’s successful return to the water keeps the Use It Again project viable after he repaired his maxi-trimaran in Roscoff following a collision with Violette Dorange.
- Social Media ROI: The incident has inadvertently boosted the visibility of the Pilliard family’s circular economy project, with Titouan Pilliard reporting a surge to over 30,000 followers following the collision with Violette Dorange.
Jury Findings on RIPAM Violations
The international jury, presided over by Georges Priol, concluded that Initiatives-Cœur failed to adhere to standard maritime regulations. The jury’s analysis determined that the IMOCA, as the overtaking vessel, failed to clear the path of Use It Again, violating Rule 13(a) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (RIPAM).
Furthermore, the jury said that Initiatives-Cœur did not maintain a proper visual or auditory watch, a breach of RIPAM Rule 5.
The ruling also clarified the obligations of the privileged vessel. When Use It Again executed a bear-away maneuver, it found itself on a converging course. Under Rule 17(a), Pilliard was required to maintain his heading and speed.
The jury concluded that once it became apparent a collision was inevitable and that Initiatives-Cœur was failing to take corrective action, no further reasonable maneuver could have been executed by Pilliard to avoid the impact, satisfying the conditions of Rule 17(b).
The Road to Recovery and Qualification
While Dorange has been declared at fault, her withdrawal from the race renders further on-water penalties moot. The focus for her team now shifts toward the requirements for the 2028 Vendée Globe. To qualify, she must complete a Grade 2 IMOCA event and maintain a position within the top 37 of the Imoca Globe Series. Her schedule now includes the Transat Café l’Or in October 2027 and the Transat CIC in May 2028.
Romain Pilliard’s team completed an intensive week of composite repairs in Roscoff to return to the Atlantic, supported by nearly 1,000 contributions. Meanwhile, his son Titouan, competing in the Vintage Mono category, has overcome his own technical failures, including a broken steering linkage and autopilot issues.
| Skipper | Vessel | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Violette Dorange | Initiatives-Cœur | Retired (Collision) |
| Romain Pilliard | Use It Again | Active (Post-Repair) |
| Titouan Pilliard | Use It Again for Youth | Active |
Operational Outcomes for the Pilliard Project
Parce qu’il y avait forcément beaucoup de médias qui attendaient au ponton, de ce que j’ai entendu en tout cas,” Titouan Pilliard told Ouest-France.
Romain Pilliard remains focused on the long-term goal of finishing the race alongside his son. “Il y a peut-être une chance qu’il me dépasse ou qu’on arrive à peu près en même temps en Guadeloupe,” Romain Pilliard said in an interview. As of November 10, the two skippers continue their separate routes, with Titouan having approximately 1,900 nautical miles remaining and Romain facing nearly 3,000 miles to reach Pointe-à-Pitre.
The international jury is still considering a request for time reparation submitted by Romain Pilliard. The final standing for his race duration remains subject to this ongoing deliberation.
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