Transat Jacques Vabre 2011

In 1993 the city of Le Havre, a major coffee-importing port from the 19th century onwards, played host to the first edition of the transatlantic: a single-handed race to Cartagena in Colombia.  The single-handed format was not really ideal as there was a lot of competition from the Route du Rhum and OSTAR races. The famous double-handed races of the eighties had faded away so Gérard Petipas and Pen Duick decided to relaunch the event with the support of the Jacques Vabre coffee company. 1995 became a double-handed year.

There was a change of heading in 2001: Colombia yielded to Brazil, with Salvador de Bahia replacing Cartagena as the final destination.  And now time for another change as this 9th edition finishes in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica.  The Transat Jacques Vabre has become one of the most popular races in the IMOCA calendar.