Aina Bouza has been selected for the 2026 Route du Rhum, marking the culmination of her progress in ocean sailing following her grueling participation in the Transat Café L’Or.
Ocean sailing is a discipline built on stages, where every mile covered and every strategic decision paves the way toward new challenges. In this process of constant evolution, Aina Bouza’s career continues to gain momentum on the international circuit.
Last year, Bouza took a decisive step by participating in the Transat Café L’Or alongside Axelle Pillain. It was a grueling race that put her technical skills and endurance to the test in ocean conditions. That experience was made possible by the Cap pour Elles – Engie program, an initiative aimed at promoting female talent in sailing.
This progress in her sailing career continues with the confirmation of her registration and selection for the 2026 Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, one of the most iconic solo races on the calendar. The race will depart from Saint-Malo and head to Guadeloupe, a transatlantic voyage in which Aina Bouza will have to manage all aspects of the navigation on her own: strategy, weather, and boat performance.
This year’s race will feature 129 sailors, only ten of whom are women—a figure that underscores the competition’s demanding nature and the need to continue making progress toward gender equality in ocean sailing. In this vein, Bouza has reaffirmed her commitment as an ambassador for the Alice Milliat Foundation, working to create more opportunities for women in the sport.
A project at its most critical stage
With qualification secured, Aina Bouza’s project now enters its most challenging phase: ensuring the team is in top form by race day. This period is critical from both a technical and organizational standpoint, as it involves optimizing the boat, planning logistics, and securing financial backing.
In this context, the project remains open to new partnerships and sponsors who wish to be part of a highly competitive challenge with an international reach and a clear commitment to developing female talent in ocean sailing.