Setting course for the Route du Rhum 2026 with Titouan, a student at Excelia and committed sailor

« At just 20 years old, Titouan Pilliard is about to become the youngest participant in the legendary Route du Rhum 2026. An extraordinary student project that shows how to combine studies, a passion for sailing and environmental commitment. »

A Bachelor in Business student at Excelia Business School, Titouan Pilliard is about to take on an XXL challenge: taking part in the Route du Rhum 2026 aboard his monohull Use It Again for Youth. On 1^st November, he will set off from Saint-Malo alongside his father Romain, for an unprecedented father-son adventure that will fly the flag for the circular economy and ocean protection.

A 12-year-old passion

Born in Brittany and introduced to sailing at a very young age (dinghy, windsurfing or windsurf foil), Titouan embodies the new generation of eco-responsible skippers. Since he was 12, he has been actively involved in the Use It Again project, led by his family, which aims to renovate a trimaran from 2003 in line with circular economy principles. Hulls, mast, cables and sails recovered… every element has been reused or upcycled to reduce the environmental impact.

A constant learning journey

Alongside his studies at Excelia Business School, Titouan has progressively evolved from the role of spectator to that of an accomplished sailor. After following two Routes du Rhum (2018, 2022) and a round-the-world voyage in reverse in 2022, he took the helm of the family trimaran during several races in 2023. Managing his schedule between classes, training and boat preparation requires rigour and organisation, skills he develops on a daily basis in this dual life as a student and sailor.

A responsible approach to offshore racing

Use It Again for Youth goes far beyond the sporting framework. This project embodies a desire to sail differently, placing commitment and respect for the environment at the heart of performance. Titouan does not simply race: he takes action and raises awareness.

Ambassador for Children for the Oceans, he works with primary school pupils to convey the challenges of ocean preservation. Involved in Youth for Climate, a group of activists mobilised across Europe, he shares his experience at international events to encourage young people to mobilise in the face of the climate emergency.

• Ambassador for Children for the Oceans: raising awareness among hundreds of pupils about threats to the ocean
• Involvement in Youth for Climate: international mobilisation of young people for the climate
• Reflection on the ecological impact of racing: promoting sailing with environmental awareness

Route du Rhum 2026: an XXL challenge

Titouan will race in the Rhum Mono category aboard a 52-foot monohull, Use It Again for Youth, a Finot-Conq design launched in 2007. Winner of the Route du Rhum 2018 in its category, this boat is now enjoying a second life: fully renovated according to circular economy principles, it was acquired in April 2025 with the support of Forvis Mazars, the project's official sponsor.

His father, Romain Pilliard, already a two-time participant in the Ultime category, will also be at the start aboard the trimaran Use It Again, in the Rhum category. This unprecedented father-son duo symbolises a high level of commitment, driven by ambitious sporting and environmental objectives.

To achieve these objectives, Titouan follows a rigorous sporting programme: regular training on the water, physical preparation, double-handed sailing alongside his father during races in 2023-2025, and full immersion in the demanding world of offshore racing.

His project today: setting course for the Route du Rhum 2026

Titouan's preparation is intensifying as the start approaches. Between training at sea, monohull adjustments and revision periods, his schedule is a daily feat in itself. To combine his Bachelor in Business studies with his sporting project, Excelia offers him personalised support: an adjusted academic calendar, remote classes during his sea training phases, and enhanced support from the teaching team.

Victories already

Before racing the Route du Rhum, Titouan and Romain have already thrilled the podiums:

• Winners of the Cowes–Dinard–Saint-Malo 2023, where they finished ahead of 190 competitors after 11 hours of intense racing
• A historic first race in La Trinité-sur-Mer, a pioneering adventure in their effort towards total reuse

These successes mark a solid track record that is now leading Titouan towards the start line of the Route du Rhum 2026, backed by experience gained alongside his father.

Also follow his adventure on LinkedIn:

Titouan Pilliard is a student on the Bachelor in Business at Excelia Business School, in La Rochelle. To allow him to combine his studies with his offshore racing project, the school offers him an adjustment to his studies, presented on the page dedicated to supporting athletes and competitors. You can discover the other testimonials from students and graduates to explore other paths pursued alongside their studies.