Race for the prize

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 sure they’re in good shape for the return journey. With different skippers and boats at different stages of their qualification bid, that’s more vital for some than others; Charlie Dalin, Sam Goodchild and Clarisse Crémer, to name but a few.

In terms of who we might expect to see in the front, September’s Défi Azimut – a unique event combining a 600nm offshore race and inshore speed runs – provided something of a taster with 34 IMOCA60s competing. Showcasing fierce competition in an event that tested every point of sail and threw in the full range of conditions, the racing revealed “15 or so sailing at a high standard” according to IMOCA class president, Antoine Mermod, who added “the skippers were not afraid to go on the attack”.

Sadly, already with hopes of Vendée qualification dashed is Nico Troussel’s Corum l’Epargne; after dismasting (with Benjamin Schwartz) in the Défi Azimut and unable to source a replacement mast in t