My Career Path
My Career Path
On Sunday 1 November 2026, 20-year-old Titouan Pilliard, a Bachelor Business student at Excelia Business School, will set sail from Saint-Malo in the 13th edition of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe. Ahead of him lies a solo Atlantic crossing of more than 3,500 nautical miles aboard a monohull refurbished according to circular economy principles. This year's race will also mark a historic first: a father and son competing in the same edition.
Titouan just days before the start – Excelia Business School video
An Excelia student on the Route du Rhum starting line
Titouan will compete in the Rhum Mono category aboard Use It Again for Youth, a 52-foot monohull designed by Finot-Conq and launched in 2007. A winner in its category in the 2018 Route du Rhum, the yacht has undergone a complete refurbishment using recovered and reused materials, with the support of Forvis Mazars, the project's official sponsor.
Also taking part is his father, Romain Pilliard, who has previously competed twice in the Ultime category. Romain will sail aboard the trimaran Use It Again. For the first time in the race's 13 editions, a father and son will be competing together – an adventure that Titouan sees above all as an opportunity to pass on knowledge and experience between generations.
Both skippers have already demonstrated their sailing credentials, winning the 2023 Cowes–Dinard–Saint-Malo race ahead of 190 competitors. Having watched the Route du Rhum from the pontoons in 2018 and 2022, Titouan began competing at the helm in 2023. Discover more about his journey in his Bachelor Business student testimonial.
Sailing with purpose: the commitment behind the race
Titouan's ambitions extend far beyond sporting achievement. Through USE IT AGAIN for YOUTH, he has created an international community of students committed to protecting the oceans. As an ambassador for Children for the Oceans, he raises awareness among primary school pupils and shares his experience at European climate events.
His commitment reflects the values promoted through Excelia Business School's Humacité© and Climacité© initiatives, which place social and environmental challenges at the heart of the student learning experience. Further information about the project, its partners and opportunities for businesses can be found in Excelia's article exploring Titouan's inspiring adventure.
Combining a Bachelor Business degree with offshore sailing
Training at sea, preparing the yacht and keeping up with academic work: getting ready for a solo transatlantic race while studying for a three-year undergraduate degree requires exceptional organisation. To help Titouan pursue both ambitions, Excelia Business School has introduced personalised academic support, including:
- a flexible academic timetable adapted to his training and racing schedule;
- opportunities to attend classes remotely during periods at sea;
- additional guidance and support from the programme's academic team.
This support scheme is available to all students competing in high-performance sport. Find out more on our dedicated page for competitive athletes.
Follow Titouan's race
|
One of many inspiring student journeys at Excelia Business School
Excelia's three-year Bachelor Business programme equips students with practical business skills through annual work placements, international experience and a choice of ten specialisations in the final year. Titouan is studying on the La Rochelle campus. Discover how other students and graduates have pursued their ambitions alongside their studies through our student and alumni testimonials.
Everyone at Excelia wishes Titouan a successful Atlantic crossing. We will update this article when he arrives in Guadeloupe.
Discover the Bachelor Business programme → Support for competitive athletes →
