Transat Jacques Vabre

The Transat Jacques Vabres, also known as the Route du Café, is a prestigious transatlantic race organized between Le Havre in Normandy and Fort de France in Martinique. This maritime competition brings together skippers from the four corners of the globe. It's a real human and technological challenge. Immerse yourself in the world of this competition, which fosters team spirit, courage and a passion for sailing. If you're coming to Martinique to watch the finish, opt for a car rental with Europcar Martinique.

© Crédit source : région Normandie

Transat Jacques Vabre schedule:

Start: Sunday, October 29, 2023 in Le Havre Arrival: around November 12, 2023 in Fort de France

Program in Le Havre from October 20 to 29 :

Friday, October 20 :

• Village opening: 10 a.m.

Saturday, October 21 :

• Inauguration of the village

• Presentation of the Class Ultim, Ocean Fifty and Class Imoca crews

• 30th anniversary concert in the carré des Docks

Sunday, October 22 :

• 6km Route du Café

• Presentation of Class40 crews

Monday, October 23 :

• Normandy skippers presentation

Saturday, October 28 :

• Fireworks

Sunday, October 29 :

• Departure of boats from Bassin Paul Vatine

• First start for Ultim boats

• Start for Ocean Fifty, IMOCA and Class40 boats

Programming in Martinique

• Opening of the eco-responsible village

• Yawl initiation

• Winch Challenge entertainment

• Exhibition

• Arrival of teams

Transat Jacques Vabre race courses

© Crédit source : transat jacques vabre

4 courses for 4 classes

The Class40s head for the North Atlantic, passing the island of Sal. Ocean Fifty and IMOCA boats head for the South Atlantic, passing the archipelago of Sao Paolo & Sao Pedro and the island of Fernando de Noronha. The ULTIMs will sail to Ascension Island before returning to Martinique.

History and Tradition

The Transat Jacques Vabre, created in 1993, bears the name of the Jacques Vabre coffee brand, the event's historic partner. Historically, this race links the port of Le Havre, France, to a changing South American destination, often Salvador de Bahia in Brazil or Colombia. The distance covered, some 4,350 nautical miles, offers crews a wonderful adventure. Around 200 sailors are expected to take part in the 16th edition, and this year the event celebrates its 30th anniversary with almost 100 boats in four classes: IMOCA, Ocean Fifty, ULTIM and Class40. Each team is made up of two sailors. This configuration puts the coordination, strategy and resilience of the sailors to the test, as they face up to the often capricious weather conditions of the Atlantic.

© Credit source : Canva

Cultural melting pot

The Route du Café attracts sailors from all over the world, creating a melting pot of maritime cultures. The diversity of the participants, their experiences and their stories, helps to make this event a celebration of a shared passion for sailing. Sailing enthusiasts from all over the world can follow the race thanks to technological advances. Real-time tracking systems, videos, interviews and regular updates enable the public to experience the excitement of the race, follow the teams' strategies and feel the adrenalin of the sailors in the thick of the competition. The Transat Jacques Vabre embodies the adventurous and competitive spirit of ocean sailing. Beyond the competition, it's a celebration of human ingenuity, two different cultures and the beauty of the ocean. Each edition of this race leaves a legacy of maritime exploits and captivating stories, making the Transat Jacques Vabre a must-attend event for sailing enthusiasts.

Frequently asked questions :