Transat Jacques Vabre
Visit Transat Jacques Vabre is a legendary transatlantic race that attracts the world's best skippers and most high-performance boats every year. This challenge, both human and technological, links Le Havre, in Francein Fort-de-France, Martinique. This sporting eventrich in history and emotion, has become a not-to-be-missed event for sailing enthusiasts and those with a passion for the sea.
Transat Jacques Vabre: A Legendary Sailing Epic
What is a Transat?
The term deckchair is an abbreviation of the word "transatlantic", which refers to a crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. A transatlantic race is a sailing competition, like the Solitaire du FigaroThis type of race requires precision, stamina and in-depth knowledge of the sea and winds. This type of racing demands precision, stamina and a thorough knowledge of the sea and winds.
What is the Transat Jacques Vabre?
Visit Transat Jacques Vabrealso known as the Route du Café, is a double-handed sailing race (two skippers per boat) organized every two years. Launched in 1993, the race celebrates the history of the coffee trade routes between Europe and the Americas. The race takes its name from the famous French coffee brand, Jacques Vabre, which is the main sponsor.
Since its creation, the Transat Jacques Vabre has been renowned for its demanding route, which crosses the Atlantic from east to west, subjecting participants to a variety of weather conditions, from stormy winds to rough seas.
History of the Transat Jacques Vabre
Since its first edition in 1993, the Transat Jacques Vabre has evolved into one of the most prestigious offshore races. Here's a look at some of the notable winners of each edition:
- 1993 Paul Vatine and Jean Maurel (L'Express, trimaran)
- 1995 Franck Cammas and Jacques Caraës (Groupeama)
- 1997 Laurent Bourgnon and Cammas (Primagaz)
- 2001 Franck Cammas and Yves Parlier (Groupeama)
- 2005 Lionel Lemonchois and Roland Jourdain (Gitana XI)
- 2017 Thomas Coville and Jean-Luc Nélias (Sodebo Ultim')
- 2021 Thomas Ruyant and Morgan Lagravière (LinkedOut, IMOCA)
The race, famous for its unpredictability, has also seen some memorable events, including storms that forced some skippers to abandon, and memorable feats of speed at sea.
Registered Boats
Visit Transat Jacques Vabre is open to several categories of boats:
- IMOCA These 60-foot monohulls are designed for major transoceanic races. They are fast, strong boats, often equipped with foils to fly over the water.
- Class40 : 40-foot monohulls, these more affordable but equally high-performance boats are often chosen by amateur or semi-professional sailors.
- Ultimate The giants of the sea. These flying multihulls can exceed 30 metres in length, and are capable of setting exceptional speed records.
Each edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre sees the arrival of increasingly high-performance boats, designed with cutting-edge technology to tackle the Atlantic.
Anecdotes and memorable events
- Franck Cammasmultiple winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre, holds the record for the most wins in this race, earning him the nickname "King Cammas".
- The Coffee Routethe emblematic theme of the race, reminds us that Le Havre was a key port for the coffee trade between France and Latin America in the 19th century.
- Collision in 2001 In the 2001 edition, Michel Desjoyeaux and his teammate were hit by a UFO (Unidentified Floating Object), forcing them to abandon the race.
Practical information to follow the race
The next edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre will start on October 27, 2025. The race traditionally starts from port of Le Havrein Normandy, and ends in Fort-de-Francein Martinique. Here is some key information:
- Departure Le Havre (Seine-Maritime, Normandy)
- Arrival Fort-de-France (Martinique)
- Average crossing time Between 10 and 20 days, depending on weather conditions.
Le Havre: Departure city
Located in the Seine-Maritime departmentin the heart of the Normandy regionLe Havre is a dynamic, modern port city. Rebuilt after the Second World War, it is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its innovative architecture.
The city offers a variety of cultural and tourist activities. The port of Le Havre is a strategic point for maritime trade in Europe, and the Transat Jacques Vabre has its historical roots here. In the area around Le Havre, you can discover a number of surrounding towns, including Honfleur or Étretatknown for their majestic cliffs.
Fort-de-France : Arrival city
Capital of the MartiniqueFort-de-France is a colorful and lively city, known for its welcoming port and picturesque markets. Located in the overseas department French capital of the same name, the city is a blend of Creole culture and modernity. When the Transat arrives, Fort-de-France is transformed into a place of celebration to welcome the tired but victorious skippers.
The surrounding region offers breathtaking scenery, with mountains, white sandy beaches and tropical forests. Nearby towns such as Schoelcher or Le Lamentin are also popular destinations for visitors.
FAQ : Transat Jacques Vabre
When is the next Transat Jacques Vabre?
The next edition will take place in 2025with departure scheduled for October 27 from Le Havre.
What is the average running time?
The average crossing takes between 10 and 20 daysdepending on weather conditions and boats.
What types of boats take part in the Transat Jacques Vabre?
Boat categories include IMOCAthe Class40 and Ultimate.
How far is the Transat Jacques Vabre?
Race distance varies according to the course, but is generally around 4,350 nautical miles.
How can I follow the race live?
You can follow the race on the official website of the Transat Jacques Vabrewith real-time updates, as well as on social networks.
Conclusion
Visit Transat Jacques Vabre is much more than a race: it's a human adventure, a technical challenge and a tribute to the history of transatlantic trade. Every year, sailing enthusiasts and novices alike experience unforgettable moments as they take part in or follow this epic race up close.
For further information, please visit the event page on Wikipedia.
