Transat Jacques Vabre: All Bets Are Off

Published on November 17th, 2015

(November 17, 2015; Day 23) – The final 24-30 hours of the battle for overall victory in Class40 on the Transat Jacques Vabre are shaping up to be the closest and most exciting finale of any of the four classes which set off from Le Havre on October 25.

After 23 days and more than 5100 Nms of racing, this afternoon there is only nine miles between leaders Yannick Bestaven and Pierre Brasseur (Le Conservateur) and Maxime Sorel sailing with Sam Manuard on the Manuard-designed V and B.

In the last 24 hours, the pendulum swung initially in favour of V and B which had closed to within ten miles then they slid back six miles. This morning Sorel/Manuard have been advancing again from their position to windward and offshore of Le Conservateur.

Bestaven/Brasseur have lead the race since the 27th of October, level with Brest. At one point they were over 330 miles ahead of second place. But a severe slowdown in the Doldrums got V and B back into contention and the last 500 miles have been extremely close.

In tactical terms, the advantage is with Le Conservateur who are slightly closer to the finish line, on the inside line. But V and B have a small advantage in being able to bring their bow down and sail a lower, faster course in the short term. But on what looks set to a decent run into the finish Bestaven/Brasseur might be able to cover to the line.

The duel should come to the finish line tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon or evening.

FINAL STANDINGS
Multi50
1 – FenêtréA Prysmian, Erwan Le Roux and Giancarlo Pedote
2 – Ciela Village, Thierry Bouchard and Oliver Krauss
3 – Arkema, Lalou Roucayrol and César Dohy

Imoca
1 – PRB, Vincent Riou and Sébastien Col
2 – Banque Populaire VIII, Armel Le Cléac’h and Erwan Tabarly
3 – Queguiner – Leucemie Espoir, Yann Elies and Charlie Dalin

Ultime
1 – Macif, François Gabart and Pascal Bidégorry
2 – Sodebo Ultim’, Thomas Coville and Jean-Luc Nélias

Race website – Tracker – Facebook

12th edition of the 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
• Starting October 25 in Le Havre (FRA) for the 5400nm course to Itajaí (BRA)