On Sunday 25th of October 2015, as tradition dictates, the Transat Jacques Vabre will rally to a coffee producing destination. After more than a week of celebrations around the Paul Vatine harbour in Le Havre, the four classes taking part in the 12th edition of the race will from Le Havre, the leading coffee import harbour for Itajai in Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producing country.
Le Havre – Itajaí, one transatlantic – two cities
For the past 22 years Le Havre has hosted competitors on the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre, “Transat Jacques Vabre is huge maritime celebration for the town of Le Havre and a major event that takes place every two years. Le Havre will put all in place to welcome the 350,000 visitors expected round the Paul Vatine basin from 17th to 25th of October 2015” stated Edouard Philippe, Deputy Mayor for Le Havre.
For the second year The Transat Jacques Vabre will finish in Itajai, Brasil. “Itajai is firmly on the map as it hosts again the Transat Jacques Vabre, one of the world’s largest sailing events. We feel honoured and happy and thank the organisation for entrusting our work and look forward to welcoming you all in our city,” confides Jandir Bellini, Mayor of Itajai.
4 classes – 4 past winners – 5,400 nautical mile transatlantic race
The Transat Jacques Vabre will gather in 2015 a large number of important and good entries across the four classes of monohulls and multihulls ranging in length from 12.18 to 21 metres; Class40, Multi 50, Imoca and Ultime.
All racing boats, sailed in by two skippers, will not only share the start line, but also the same 5,400-mile course from Le Havre to Itajai. “The event will bring together some of the latest and most beautiful classes in offshore racing on the same start line for the same race; It looks like the 12th edition is going to be exciting!” Explains Manfred Ramspacher, responsible for the water organisation.
Two sailors on the same boat, 4 classes, this is the Transat Jacques Vabre identity, it’s DNA
Words from the winners
“The 2013 edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre is a great memory for me; to finish a winner in Itajai and have such a great atmosphere was really unique! I am looking forward to the 2015 edition.” Sébastien Rogues (GDF SUEZ) 2013 Transat Jacques Vabre Class 40 Winner.
“For me the Transat Jacques Vabres represents one of the first experiences I have of offshore racing and also the start of my career as a professional sailor. The last transat in 2013 was my 5th edition. The racing format, sailing with two on board is one of the nicest because you get to share the experiences, sensation and living the great adventure together… and of course sharing on the victory. The first in 2019 was excellent, and the second wonderful; I was the skipper and it was my campaign and I was sailing with Yann. Next year the Transat will of course figure on my racing programme and I will be there hoping for a win.” Erwan Le Roux ((FenêtrA Cardinal) 2013 Transat Jacques Vabre Winner in the Multi50 Class.
“The Transat Jacques Vabre is one of the key events for the IMOCA class. I was lucky enough to win the last edition with Jean Le Cam. These are incredible memories and remembering how Itajai gave such an amazingly warm welcome. There were hundreds of people there to see us in. It was a great time. I will be at the start of the next Transat Jacques Vabre for sure. I am determined to defend my title!”Vincent Riou (PRB), the 2013 Transat Jacques Vabre IMOCA Class Winner.
“The 2013 Transat Jacques Vabre holds remains one of the highlights of my sailing career. It was the first time in the history of the race that we would go to Itajai in Southern Brazil; 5,400 miles is not a just any race and even more so when on a multihull sailing double handed! The course is very demanding and one that was covered with Charles Caudrelier. The Gitana Team will be at the start of the next Transat Jacques Vabre but on a different race boat. This is the particular strength of multiclass events such as the Transat Jacques Vabre. We will be at the start of the race at the helm of the latest Gitana recruit: a 60-foot monohull. The Transat Jacques Vabre will be the first official race for the new boat as we expect the launch for June 2015. It will be a very different experience from the 2013 one but just as excicing when looking at the good entries. Sébastien Josse (Edmond de Rothschild) 2013 Transat Jacques Vabre MOD70 Class Winner.
The notice of race is available for download on: http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com
La Transat Jacques Vabre summary
– A legendary offshore race: running for 22 years and on its 12th edition
– Start from Le Havre on Sunday 25th October 2015
– A unique course: 5,400 miles to Itajai
– 4 classes on the start line: Class40, Multi50, IMOCA and Ultime
2013 Title Defenders
MOD70:
Edmond de Rothschild
Sébastien Josse-Charles Caudrelier
11j 05h 03’ 54
IMOCA:
PRB
Vincent Riou-Jean Le Cam
17j 00h 41’ 47’’
MULTI50:
FenêtréA Cardinal
Erwan Le Roux-Yann Eliès
14j 17h 40’ 15
CLASS 40:
GDF SUEZ
Sébastien Rogues-Fabien Delahaye
20j 21h 41’ 25’’
