Nov 13, 2023
The Transat Jacques Vabre is a transatlantic double-handed sailing race held every two years. The race was first held in 1993 and has since become one of the world's premier offshore sailing regattas.
The Transat Jacques Vabre is known for its demanding conditions, including potentially rough seas and variable weather patterns, making it a test of skill, strategy and endurance for the sailors. The race attracts the best sailors and sailing teams from around the world, and winning it is considered a major achievement in the offshore sailing world.
The regatta is named after Jacques Vabre, a French coffee company that has been its main sponsor since its inception. The Transat Jacques Vabre offers sailors the opportunity to demonstrate their seamanship and boat handling skills on a demanding course, making it a prestigious and highly anticipated event on the sailing calendar.
In this edition, four different classes of boats are competing, ULTIM, Ocean Fifty, IMOCA and Class 40. On October 30, ULTIM, Ocean Fifty and Class 40 started on time, in 20-25 knots. On the other hand, the IMOCA fleet of 40 boats had to wait in Le Havre after their start was postponed, the following day, due to the forecast storm force winds.
After almost two weeks, this international regatta is coming to an end. In the ULTIM category, we already have a winner. After 14 days 10 hours 14 minutes and 50 seconds, the duo Armel Le Cléac'h and Sébastien Josse aboard the Maxi Banque Populaire XI was the winner of the race.
It is expected that in the coming days we will know the winners of the other categories.
On Nautical Channel you can already enjoy the first episode of this Transat Jacques Vabre, in which we were able to live the start of the race from the port of Le Havre.