On 29 October, 100 double-handed crews will take on the longest transatlantic race – the Transat Jacques Vabre – Normandie Le Harve. Setting sail from its namesake port in northern France, this biennial ‘coffee route’ race has had varied finish points over its 30-year history; for the second consecutive edition it is bound this time for Martinique.
The race tests top sailors in four classes including an IMOCA fleet that has doubled in size since the last edition, the ever-popular Class40, plus Ultim and Ocean Fifty trimarans. Course lengths vary for each class – the larger boats racing as much as 6000nm and passing through the doldrums twice – before all re-converge at the finish. Given the time of year, the autumnal might of the north Atlantic presents plenty of challenges, and it’s not unusual for the start to be delayed or for crews to face extremes of weather on route.
IMOCA60s
Not only is the Transat Jacques Vabre a key IMOCA Globe Series event (and therefore an opportunity for individuals to accrue miles as part of the qualification for next year’s pinnacle solo circumnavigation, the Vendée Globe), it also feeds into another crucial qualifier – the solo Retour à la Base departing Martinique for Lorient at the end of November. So while the Transat Jacques Vabre is a vital chance for skippers to push themselves and their boats in an ocean race environment, they also need to make
