Another heavy-weather start in the Bay of Biscay knocked Nandor Fa and Didier Munduteguy out of the race early; and several others once again returned to the start for repairs before continuing. The rest of the fleet raced to the Southern Ocean, where a second attrition began. Yves Parlier as well as Isabelle Autissier broke their rudders, leaving Christophe Auguin to lead the way into the south.

Heavy weather took a more serious toll on the sailors in the far Southern Ocean. Raphaël Dinelli's boat capsized and he was rescued by Pete Goss; then, within a few hours of each other, two other boats capsized, and their occupants were rescued by Australian rescue teams. Finally, contact was lost with British sailor Gerry Roufs. While his body was never found, his boat reappeared five months later off the Chilean Coast.

The race was won by Christophe Auguin; and Catherine Chabaud, sixth and last, was the first woman to finish the race.

Pete Goss was later awarded the Légion d'honneur for his rescue of Dinelli.  The capsize of several boats in this race prompted tightening up of the safety rules for entrants, particularly regarding boat safety and stability.