Transat Jacques Vabre
The Transat Jacques Vabre is a yachting race that follows the historic coffee trading route between France and Brazil. It is named after (and sponsored by) a French brand of coffee. The course was drawn up back in 1993 to follow in the wake of the clippers transporting coffee from Brazil to France. The Transat Jacques Vabre is a major date on the calendar, taking place every other year in odd years. It is a two-person race and the pairs of sailors are formed according to their complementary skills, what they have in common and how  they get on. Boats leave from Le Havre, France's leading coffee importing port, going to Salvador de Bahia, in Brazil, the world's leading coffee grower and exporter (4335 miles). The first edition in 1993 was a single handed race. The event is open to multihulls and monohulls from the following classes: Ultims (multihulls between 70 and 105 feet), IMOCA (60 feet monohulls), Multi 50 and Class40. All kinds of navigational aids are allowed in particular for routing, except for the Class40 boats (as this is forbidden in their own rules). 1993 1st Edition. The first edition was a  single handed race between Le Havre and Cartagena (Colombia). 13 boats started. 1995. A two-handed race between Le Havre and Cartagena. Classements Skippers Bateaux Temps de course 1997. Again a two-handed race between Le Havre and Cartagena. 1999. This year was marked by the disappearance of Paul Vatine, on board the "Groupe André". 2001. A two-handed race between Le Havre and Salvador de Bahia (Brazil). There was a total of 22 boats in 3 classes of boats. 2003. From this year there have been 4 categories of boats and 38 competitors. 2005. The start was 5 November  for the monohulls and 6 November for the multihulls. (monohulls 50 and 60 feet) or to do this year. 34 boats were registered: 2007. The start was 3 November for the monohulls and 4 November for the multihulls from Le Havre. This year, 60 boats were registered. 2009. The start was 8 November and course was from Le Havre to Puerto Limon (Costa Rica). Winners Marc Guillemot and Charles Caudrelier on Safran (IMOCA). 2011. The start was 2 November and course was from Le Havre to Puerto Limon (Costa Rica). On a northerly route, Jean- Pierre Dick and Jérémie BEYOU  won cleanly, setting a new IMOCA reference time of 15 days 18 hours 15 minutes and 54 seconds. Only 20 of the 35 starters finished the race. 2013. Le Havre to Itajaí. Storm Force 10 winds in the English Channel caused the postponement of the start to 7 November. The race was won by the MOD 70 Edmond de Rothschild skippered by Sebastien Josse and Charles Caudrelier. First monohull was PRB skippered by Vincent Riou and Jean Le Cam. 2015. The 2015 race departed on 25 October, with 42 registered boats. 2019. The 2019 edition raced from Le Havre, France , to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. 2021. The 2021 edition is racing from Le Havre, France, to Fort de France, Martinique.