Transat Jacques Vabre sailboat race starting in Le Havre

Le Havre – Events – Transat Jacques Vabre – Trans-Atlantic Yacht Race

Every two years, the epic yacht race from Le Havre to South America is held. Called the Transat Jacques Vabre, the first ever race was held in 1993. The race is also called the “Route du Cafe”, since it joins Le Havre with the historical coffee growing places in South America. The main sponsor of the race, Jacques Vabre, is a known French coffee brand.

 

Le Havre has traditionally been the start of the race, but the finish has changed over time, from Colombia to Brazil. This year the event ends in Itajai, Brazil.

Transat Jacques Vabre sailboat at the Le Havre docks
Transat Jacques Vabre sailboat at the Le Havre docks

The race is not a French race, although the majority of sailboats and crew are French. Some 14 countries are represented.

Spectators at the Transat Jacques Vabre sailboat at the Le Havre docks
Spectators at the Transat Jacques Vabre sailboat at the Le Havre docks

The race has a total length of around 5400 miles, and takes, depending on the boat race category, between 11 and 20 days.

One of the participating sailboats of the Transat Jacques Vabre race at the Le Havre docks
One of the participating sailboats of the Transat Jacques Vabre race at the Le Havre docks

The boats are manned by two persons. The boats can be single, double or triple hulls. But not all boats at the Le Havre Docks are part of the race, some are there for the show/entertainment only:

Replica vintage sailboat at the Transat Jacques Vabre race at the Le Havre docks
Replica vintage sailboat at the Transat Jacques Vabre race at the Le Havre docks

One week before the start, all the boats have arrived at the Docks of Le Havre, and amidst a plethora of tents, stands, booths, media trucks and food places, tens of thousands of spectators crowd the docks to view this high-tech, colourful and immense sailboats. In total, over the week, including the start, some half a million spectators come to this event.

Crowds at the Transat Jacques Vabre race at the Le Havre docks
Crowds at the Transat Jacques Vabre race at the Le Havre docks

The access is free to all thanks to all the sponsors. During the week before the start, the sailboats are being prepared, some even go out for trial runs, and all this under the watchful eyes of the spectators.

One of the participating sailboats of the Transat Jacques Vabre race at the Le Havre docks
One of the participating sailboats of the Transat Jacques Vabre race at the Le Havre docks

The amounts of these race sailboats are enormous. There are 42 of them, and 84 skippers. There are 4 different categories/class boats.

One of the participating sailboats of the Transat Jacques Vabre race at the Le Havre docks
One of the participating sailboats of the Transat Jacques Vabre race at the Le Havre docks

The smaller yachts are lined up with the rear to the docks:

The Transat Jacques Vabre yachts lined up at the Le Havre docks
The Transat Jacques Vabre yachts lined up at the Le Havre docks

Several radio stations and even TV stations are broadcasting live from the “village”.

Live radion broadcast at the Transat Jacques Vabre race at the Le Havre docks
Live radio broadcast at the Transat Jacques Vabre race at the Le Havre docks

All around the basin at the Docks you will find hospitality tents, VIP area, souvenirs, food stands, information, and all other sorts of tents.

Hospitality tents at the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks
Hospitality tents at the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks

On the other side of the dock you’ll find the bigger yachts with two and three hulls.

Bigger racing yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks
Bigger racing yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks
Bigger racing yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks
Bigger racing yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks
Bigger racing yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks
Bigger racing yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks

Many of the yachts are still being worked on.

Working on the yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks
Working on the yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks
Working on the yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks
Working on the yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks

Walking on the docks,  you can get very close to these special racing yachts:

Inside one of the yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks
Inside one of the yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks
Closeup of one of the yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks
Closeup of one of the yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks

Several of the yachts do some repairs, or install some new hardware, and take the boat out for a test run.

Test run for one of the race yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks
Test run for one of the race yachts of the Transat Jacques Vabre at the Le Havre docks
Replica "old" sailboat at the Transat Jacques Vabre yacht race in Le Havre
Replica “old” sailboat at the Transat Jacques Vabre yacht race in Le Havre

Race Day

On the day of the actual race, Sunday, the yachts head out of the harbour real early, typically around 6 AM.

Heading out towards the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre race
Heading out towards the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre race

One by one, they head for the start area, which is at the North West end of Le Havre/St. Adresse alongside the coast. The boat will be spending the next few hours fine tuning their equipment before the start.

Opening the sails before the race start at the Transat Jacques Vabre
Opening the sails before the race start at the Transat Jacques Vabre

Each boat is followed by their support teams in Zodiacs.

And finally, at the start:

TV helicopters hovering at the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre yacht race
TV helicopters hovering at the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre yacht race

Four helicopters from different TV channels, plus several boats with TV cameras are broadcasting live the start of the race. All 40 boats leave at the same time (unfortunately when I took these photos there was no wind).

Summary

Held every two years, the Sunday October 25th 2015 start is going to be epic. The atmosphere of the village is fun, with live music being played (see video below), good food and great fun for old and young.

So if you’re into race yachts, great atmosphere, food & fun, the week before the start, and the start itself is a must. Next race is in 2017.

How To Get There

Train: Le Havre can be reached by train (Paris line and high-speed TGV to Marseille).

Car: from Paris, the A13/E5 motorway, from Calais or Amiens, the  A29/E44 motorway

Ferry: From Southampton and Portsmouth direct to Le Havre, or from Newhaven to Dieppe and then the A29 to Le Havre.

Air: There is an airport, but there are no scheduled flights anymore, just charters.

Click here to access the Transat Jacques Vabre website.

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