Sharp start to Transat Jacques Vabre, Sam Davies shows international camaraderie of the fleet

A pumped up Phil Sharp and Pablo Santurde (Imerys Clean Energy) – the Anglo-Spanish pair – were first across the line in the Class40 as the 13th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre 2017 started at 13:35 (French time) from its home in Le Havre, in Normandy, France today (Sunday). Beautiful light but lively weather greeted the fleet of 37 boats and 74 crew.

Crédit : JM Liot

The Transat / A warm reception for The Transat bakerly skippers in Plymouth

The public was out in force today as Plymouth locals and visitors soaked up the sun and entertainment programme laid on as part of The Transat bakerly festivities.

Crédit : M Lloyd

New entrants boost growing field for the 2016 edition of The Transat

With the closing date for entries to the 2016 edition of The Transat fast approaching, three new skippers have added their names to the starting roster.

In the competitive Class40 fleet, French skipper Vincent Lantin will take part on board ‘Le slip français’, while fellow Frenchman Erik Nigon on ‘Vers un monde sans sida’ will join the now five-strong Multi50 fleet.

Transat Jacques Vabre / Riou Double Le Roux Treble

Celebratory magnums of Moet champagne and potent local Caiprinhas were in evidence on the winners’ dock as Itajaí welcomed, in short order, the winners of the Multi 50 Class and the white hot IMOCA monohull class, but the key, respective skippers were also toasted for their own personal triple and double triumphs on the biennial Transat Jacques Vabre race, which retraces the coffee route from Le Havre to Brazil.

Credit : JM Liot

Transat Jacques Vabre / “Our strategy? Don’t break the boat.” Said Alex Thomson

Even if the statutory autumnal Atlantic low and the customary biennial bashing in the Bay of Biscay awaits the 42 teams of two which will race to Brasil, a relatively gradual, gentle start to the 12th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre appears to be on the cards Sunday lunchtime.

Crédit : O Blanchet / TJV2015

Transat Jacques Vabre / Giancarlo Pedote back to cross the ocean onboard FenetréA Prysmian

Giancarlo Pedote back to cross the ocean onboard FenêtréA-Prysmian Multi50 alongside Erwan Le Roux, in the longest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean: the Transat Jacques Vabre. After a season that saw them winners of Grand Prix Guyader, Armen Race, the Grand Prix Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the trophy Prince de Bretagne Sud Goëlo, Giancarlo Pedote and Erwan Le Roux will depart Sunday 25 October at 13.30 for the Transat Jacques Vabre, classic double transatlantic from Le Havre, in Normandy, to Itajai in Brazil.

© Martin Keruzoré-Team Fenêtréa-Prysmian

Jacques Vabre / Favourites, Underdogs and Uncertainty

Look back to the pre-start period of the last edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre, the two handed Transatlantic race from Le Havre to Brazil two years ago, and there were clear favourites in most classes. But, as the sages constantly remind us, ocean racing is a mechanical sport which is entirely reliant on what the weather and sea conditions deliver. And so there may be pre-race race favourites but there is no such thing as a certainty.

Transat Jacques Vabre / Damage to Multi 50 Maitre Jacques, heading for La Coruna

The Multi 50 Maitre Jacques which was challenging for the lead of the Multi 50 class of the Transat Jacques Vabre double handed race from Le Havre to Itajaí, Brasil is making for La Coruna, NW Spain after the two co-skippers Loïc Fequet and Loïc Escoffier suddenly realised they had sustained damage to the front of their trimaran’s starboard float.

Credit : Maitre Jacques

Transat / Start of the Transat Jacques Vabre set for 1300hrs Thursday off Le Havre

At a skippers briefing at 1500hrs local time today race direction confirmed that the start of the 11th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre from Le Havre to Itajaí, Brazil will be at 1300hrs (local time) on Thursday, November 7, for Class40, Multi50, IMOCA and MOD70.

credit : JM Liot / DPPI | More pics, here & also here

La Route du Rhum / First of the Ultime giant multi's due in Point-à-Pitre tomorrow (ITW)

The ultimate honours in the historic clash of the monster multis, the no-holds-barred Ultime class which has set an electric pace for this historic 2010 Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale, will go down to the final 400 miles with a subtle, tactical showdown in light breezes.

The first of the giants is expected to finish this ninth edition off Point-à-Pitre, in Guadeloupe Monday evening (French time, early afternoon local), but even with a lead of 193 miles and 475 miles to go (16hCET Sunday), Franck Cammas on Groupama 3, was seeking to bolster his defences as much as possible in the light conditions which had already seen the leader slow to 10 knots Sunday afternoon.

La Route du Rhum / A perfect start for a record fleet

Sunshine, light winds and gennaker reaching conditions: the perfect formula for the start for 2010 Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale.

It was appropriate for the record fleet of 85 skippers who set off from Saint Malo this afternoon on the ninth edition of the Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale that the send off proved nearly perfect in every way.

Credit : AFP

The enduring magic of the Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale

For any first time anglophile visitor, landing in the heart of the ninth edition of the Route du Rhum La Banque might be overwhelming. Even for the old stagers who are on their four yearly odyssey to the ramparts of Saint Malo, this year's edition is a truly intoxicating spectacle for its sheer scale, colour and level of activity.

Credit : AFP