Transat Jacques Vabre, scheduled for departure on Sunday 25th of October 2015

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/25th-october-start-itajai

On Sunday 25th of October 2015, as tradition dictates, the Transat Jacques Vabre will rally 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 Jaques 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.

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre 2013, It's a wrap and reflections on the race now that all classes have finished

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/wrap

The eleventh edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre double handed race set the longest course yet in the 20 years history of the coffee route. The MOD70 one design Multihulls set a blistering pace with a head to match race all of the 5450 miles course from Le Havre to Itajaí, Brasil. The IMOCA Open 60 fleet featured 10 boats from the last Vendée Globe and the flourishing Class 40 fleet drew 26 entries and delivered a truly international podium. And the Multi 50 class also enjoyed a thrilling match race between the top two protagonists.

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Transat Jacques Vabre update, Giles Lamire and Andrea Mura on the Multi50 Rennes Metropole take third place on the podium

The Multi50 podium is complete with Giles Lamire and Andrea Mura on Rennes Metropole-St Malo agglomeration having arrived in Itajai taking third place in the Multi50 division. Erik Nigon and Samy Villeneuve on Vers un monde sans sida are expected to finish later this afternoon.

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/lamire-and-mura-take-third-multi-50-class

Transat Jacques Vabre update, FenetreA Cardinal team victorious in Multi50 division

tweet from Transat Jacques Vabre:

TOP CHRONO! FenetreA-Cardinal wins the Transat Jacques Vabre in Multi 50 after 14 days 17 hours 40 minutes and 15 seconds of racing! Kudos to Erwan Roux and Yann Eliès for this beautiful victory! #TJV2013

Transat Jacques Vabre update, Multi50's Actual and FenetreA Cardinal continue their battle down Brazilian Coast

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/long-lining

The two leading Multi 50s continue their duel down the Brazilian coast in steady E’ly trade winds on what is presently just a straightforward head to head boatspeed contest. They have no real strategic options ahead until Cabo Frio at the entrance to the Bay of Rio. They should pass the entrance to Salvador de Bahia today in just a little over 12 days which will stand up well against the 2005 mark set by Franck Yves Escoffier of 12 days and 6 hours 14 minutes.

FenêtréA Cardinal (Le Roux-Elies) and Actual (Le Blévec-de Pavant) remain in close contact with some 25 miles separating this closely matched leading duo.

read more here


ENG - Jour 13 - Actual (IMOCA) - Transat... by TransatJacquesVabre

Transat Jacques Vabre update, Leading MOD70 Edmond de Rothschild still in control with less than 90 miles to finish

From the following update on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/still-control

With under 90 miles to go Edmond de Rothschild are still firmly in control of the MOD70s, Oman Air Musandam remain around 70 miles behind and have been slightly slowed on the midmorrning ranking. But it remains incredibly close in the IMOCA Open 60s where MACIF have a very very small lead over PRB as they match race side by side towards the island of Fernando de Noronha 225 miles ahead, racing in the SE'ly trades.

The tracker is here:

http://tracking.transat-jacques-vabre.com/fr/

MOD70 trimaran Edmond de Rothschild

Transat Jacques Vabre update, The MOD70 trimarans sprint to the finish

From the following article on bymnews

http://bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=125444

Sunday, 17 November 2013

What suspense! Heading the Transat Jacques Vabre fleet, the 70’ trimarans Edmond de Rothschild and Oman Air – Musandam are providing us with a breathtaking final, the conclusion of which could well be decided tomorrow in Itajaí (Brazil), according to the latest estimates. The end of this hellish sprint is forecast to be complicated with a cold front associated with a ridge of high pressure to be traversed before the finish. With less than 500 miles to go, aboard the trimaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, the watchwords are concentration, application and determination. Firm leaders since rounding Cape Finisterre, on 9 November, Sébastien Josse and Charles Caudrelier are more determined than ever to remain in the chair right the way to the finish.

 

The very mention of Rio de Janeiro conjures up images of carnivals, Sugarloaf Mountain, Corvocado and, above all, sunshine. On a stopover in the airport of this ‘marvellous city’ before heading for the state of Santa Catarina and the city of Itajaí, part of the shore crew were able to get a bird’s eye view of the phenomenon, which is currently keeping the Edmond de Rothschild duo on its toes: namely close to 100% cloud cover, low clouds and a threatening black sky. There’s no doubt the cold front announced by router Antoine Koch has made it to Brazil.

 

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre update, MOD70's close in on the finishing line in Itajai, Brazil

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/compression-and-pressure

Closing fast with the finish in Itajai, Brasil where the parties started yesterday, Saturday, when the race village opened, a very warm welcome, exuberant welcome is expected for both MOD70s when they arrive. Expected during Monday afternoon (local time). Edmond de Rothschild still held a small advantage in to the final 500 miles but with a sequence of weather hurdles set in their way, victory in this eleventh edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre is set to be held in the balance until the very final hours.

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Transat Jacques Vabre update, MOD70's race into the Southern Hemisphere

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/southern-hemisphere

The equator is already passed for both of the MOD70’s while the last Class 40 is off Lisbon. Now the fleet of the 11th Transat Jacques Vabre is spread over 3000 miles but the weather is quite similar, moderate trade winds, cloud cover to unsettle the breeze and good, effective speeds.

The MOD70 duo passed into the Southern Hemisphere last night. Around 2030hrs UTC it was Edmond de Rothschild (Josse-Caudrelier) across first and then two hours later for Oman Air-Musandam (Gavignet-Foxall), the duo in good SE trade winds of 20kts, making them speeds of around 25kts has they head towards the Brazilian coast where they should reach this afternoon. At the current rate the first to finish this Transat Jacques Vabre is expected in Itajai on November 19th, after less than 12 days at sea. But there are still potential pitfalls between the passage of Cabo Frio where the low pressures spin out from the coast, and then light winds perhaps in to Itajai. Edmond de Rothschild’s lead is cut to just over 60 miles with Charles Caudrelier admitting

“ We are in great shape but we have made a big mistake in the Doldrums against Oman. I think Sidney and Damian will have a better angle in the coming hours, but we will see"

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre update, Oman Air-Musandam make some tactical decisions to close gap on leading MOD70 Edmond de Rothschild

From the following article on bymnews.com

 

http://bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=125301

 

As Sidney Gavignet, Oman Air-Musandam’s French skipper and Damian Foxall, his co skipper from Ireland, reach the Doldrums and the halfway mark of this epic 5,450nm race after just six days at sea; they face some big decisions.

Sitting just 70nm behind the other MOD70, Edmond de Rothschild, the pair is dedicated to maintaining boat speed and making up the distance. They are taking turns on the helm to keep the boat ‘flying’ as Sidney describes: “We don’t have capsize concerns at the moment, nor much adrenaline, the current conditions mean we are completely engaged in the pursuit of speed, we need to keep the boat flying at all times and to keep the centre hull out of the water to reduce drag and increase speed. It takes a lot of concentration,” he described via an email sent overnight.

When we spoke to Damian Foxall at dawn, the boat speed was high at 25 knots in 20-25 knots of wind and the pair had 200nm to go until the Doldrums.

 

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre update, fleet takes a pounding MOD70's clear of the worst of the weather Multi50's taking the brunt of the conditions

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/full-frontal-attack

For a few hours in particular today the middle of the Bay of Biscay will be an unforgiving section of the 5450 miles race course for the Transat Jacques Vabre race from Le Havre to Itajaí, Brasil.

The Multi 50’s were bearing the brunt of the passage of a low pressure trough which was producing violent squalls and big, messy seas. In fact the IMOCA Open 60’s go slightly better in these conditions, while the two MOD70’s are well clear of the worst of the weather and making good speeds after Cape Finisterre and now off the Iberian peninsula.

The poor conditions will last until Sunday for the Multi50s and IMOCA Open 60s as this deep low pressure which has emanated from Newfoundland and is tracking quickly makes life very testing for the Multi50s especially. This is exacerbated by the wind shifts between SW and W with more than 30kts average and much more in the gusts, the crossed seas make it very bouncy and unpleasant for the multihulls.

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Transat Jacques Vabre, Multi50 Maitre Jacques forced to retire after rough night with float damage now headed under own power to Corunna, Spain

From the following entry (in French) on the Maitre Jacques facebook page

 

https://www.facebook.com/Trimaran.Maitre.Jacques

 

and the rough bing translate below

 

Loïc Féquet and Loïc Escoffier are forced to retire. The front of their starboard float was torn off. Neither one nor the other is wounded, apart from a huge disappointment. They make road to Corunna.

After Exchange with their shore crew, the two Loïc have decided to join La Coruña, in Spain. They sail for now under one ORC at 6 knots: a navigation that allows them to not press the float damaged.

Loïc Féquet, skipper master Jacques: "we heard a large crash and seen that the float was ripped off at the front. '' This was done there right away or by the dint of banging all night, it is not known. We took a wave larger than the others, is that it was 'finished' work?

In any case, nobody is injured. We road towards Corunna. We at 6 knots with one ORC, is allowed to 'live' the boat, without forcing. There are still 2-3 m hollow, but with waves sometimes a little more fat. »

Franck-Yves Escoffier, loaded from the link on the ground with the crew: "it is a great pity, they had done a very nice entry in the Bay of Biscay, they had traced a beautiful, fluid trajectory. They were the first to have taken the West and they were very well placed to return to the forefront and lengthen the stride. They had done the hard, wind would move Northwest and the sea would subside...

But in a cross seas of 6 to 7 metres of cavity with a breaking, just 2 or 3 large waves that bump on the front of the float to make damage.

The choice of a Coruña is a good idea, they are not very far. The sea will calm down, they will find the right balance to preserve their boat and get down on their own. »

Team master Jacques is about 120 nautical miles (220 km) from the Spanish port, expected tomorrow, join the best in the morning, according to the weather conditions encountered.

 

 

Transat Jacques Vabre update, Close racing in the Multi50's and MOD70's

The Transat Jacques Vabre fleet minus the Class 40 monohulls that have taken shelter in the Bay of Biscay are preparing to deal with the rough conditions which are approaching. 

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre news page:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/close-fought-war-gulf

As the 26 Class 40 duos take shelter in Roscoff to miss the strong winds of the Bay of Biscay depression the three other classes (Multi 50, IMOCA and MOD70 ) are set up for a tough night with big seas and strong winds.

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre, Fleet departs from Le Havre destination Itajai (Brazil)

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/race

With Class 40 having their weather stop and the MOD 70’s likely to be quick enough to avoid the worst of the weather in the Bay of Biscay – the big multihull duo should be at Finisterre, or near enough, by the time the worst of the weather hits, it looks like the IMOCA Open 60 fleet and the Multi 50’s which might bear the brunt of the big winds and seas which are forecast to build almost as soon as they clear Ushant.

First for them is the long, tactical beat out of the Channel, balancing the options of more breeze in the north against a more favourable shift in wind direction arriving first from the south. The advantage is likely to increase for the leaders and so there is considerable pressure to push as hard as possible to start with, but in the knowledge that maximum energies will be needed across the Bay of Biscay. In the very early stages it was the established favourites, Macif, sailed by Michel Desjoyeaux and Francois Gabart – who hold three Vendée Globe wins between them – who lead from the first mark, three miles from the start line, ahead of Marc Guillemot and Pascal Bidégorry.

read more here

The tracker for the Transat Jacques Vabre is active now:

http://tracking.transat-jacques-vabre.com/fr/


Départ - Transat Jacques Vabre 2013 by TransatJacquesVabre

Start of the Transat Jacques Vabre delayed till Wednesday or Thursday

The start of the Transat Jacques Vabre has been delayed till Wednesday or Thursday a large and intense low pressure system has caused gales and heavy seas in the Bay of Biscay and prudently the race organisers are postponing the start and waiting for a break in the weather.

Transat Jacques Vabre, Departure from Le Havre set for this Monday

From the following bymnews article:

 

http://bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=124806

 

After a constant and careful analysis of the weather forecasts for Sunday, the directors of the Transat Jacques Vabre double handed race from Le Havre to Itajaí, Brazil have taken the decision to postpone the start until Monday 4th November at 1415hrs (local).

All of the fleet of twenty-six Class 40’s, ten IMOCA monohulls, Multi-50’s will head off for the 5400 miles course direct to Itajaí but the two MOD70’s will contest a coastal course before standing by in Le Havre’s Paul Vatine basin until Wednesday.

 

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre, MOD70 crews prepare to go head to head across the Atlantic

From the following article on bymnews:

 

http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=124728

 

Two identical MOD70’s go head to head across the Atlantic in what promises to be a mouth watering match race on this Transat Jacques Vabre. The two duos, Sidney Gavignet and Damian Foxall on Oman Air-Musandam and Sébastien Josse and Charles Caudrelier are all long-time friends, some former crewmates together on different ocean races, occasional sparring and training partners, but from the start gun of this Transat Jacques Vabre, no quarter will be given, they are hard bitten rivals all with the same drive and desire to get to Itajaí first. For the MOD70’s, this time, there is no second place.

The biggest challenge: to sail double handed on the MOD70
The two teams have worked with each other to make small technical changes to make the identical racing machines, which are designed for crewed racing, suitable for double handed racing. These changes include autopilots, anti capsize systems which release the sheets at a certain heel angle and rear ballast tanks. But the teams know only too well that two MOD70’s have already capsized this season on relatively inshore waters, and indeed three of the four skippers have experienced their own flavour of disappointment and disaster on this often cruel Transatlantic race, and so their determined drive will be tempered with ample caution at times.

 

read more here

A strong Multi50 lineup poised to contest the 2013 Transat Jacques Vabre

From the following article on BYMnews

http://bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=124588

 

It’s probably the best Multi 50 line up yet lined up in Le Havre, primed and ready to take on the 11th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre. The level of boat design and preparation is higher than ever ready to be driven by some of the most experienced and successful sailors in the fleet, means that this will be one of the most competitive classes.

The partnerships are an interesting mix, some of more recently forged duos match a very experienced co-skipper who runs the programme and has optimised the boat, along with a successful co-skipper coming in from another ocean racing discipline, such as Kito de Pavant and double Solitaire du Figaro winner Yann Eliès. But this race, two handed, is a human challenge as well as a sporting endeavour, often testing the strength and efficiency of the partnership as much as it does the boat itself.

read more here

Multi50's Maitre Jacques and Actual

 

Transat Jacques Vabre 2013, multihull's converging on Le Havre for the start on 3rd of November

The Multi50's and MOD70's are converging on Le Havre for the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre here is a video of the Multi50 Arkema on approach.