Final Preparations for Doublehanded Transat

Just less than three weeks before the start of the doublehanded Transat Jacques Vabre, recently launched new boats and others sailing under new team colours or new combinations, these duos have to make a qualifying passage before they muster in the Paul Vatine basin on Friday, October 16th, by noon at the latest.

Six hundred to 1000 miles sailed by the duos together over a course approved by the Race Management for the 12th edition of the biennial race, this is the one final qualifying step which is imposed to ensure the race is as safe as possible before they start from Le Havre (France) on 25th October for the 5400 miles towards the finish line in Itajaí (Brazil).

Most of the forty-two boats entered in the four classes (Class 40, Multi50, IMOCA, Ultimate) have already completed their qualifying passage or were accepted based on their experience on their boat (Route du Rhum, the Vendée Globe or the like). And to date, 36 teams are qualified. So it is mainly the new boats which have yet to make a qualification. In view of recent good weather conditions in Western Europe these days, finding a time window should not be too difficult.

Starting their qualifications
So this is the case for Catherine Pourre and Antoine Carpentier have charge of their new Manuard, Eärendil, the Class40 built by JPS Production. In this same class, Valentin Lemarchand and Arthur Hubert ((Espoir Compétition SNBSM) must also sail 1000 miles. So too Nicolas Boidevezi and Ryan Breymaier (Adopteunskipper.net) who must also complete the course even if they have already sailed IMOCA, they were not skippers.

Even a top seeded duo like Jean-Pierre Dick and Fabien Delahaye-(St Michel-Virbac) must qualify on their brand new IMOCA. So it’s the case also for Thierry Bouchard and Oliver Krauss (Ciela Village) race regulars who have to qualify because they have never taken part in a Multi50 … And also the Ultime of Yves Le Blévec and Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant who are sailing the new Actual (formerly Sodebo).

Race website – Notice of Race

Transat Jacques Vabre in brief
• A legendary race 22 years old and 2015 marks the 12th edition
• Two founding partners: the city of Le Havre and brand Jacques Vabre
• Four classes on the starting line: Class40, Multi50, IMOCA and Ultimate