Transat Jacques Vabre fleet heads to Itajai in 2013

by Soazig Gueho on 9 Dec 2012

Depart de la Transat Jacques Vabre 2011 - Le Havre Alexis Courcoux

November 3rd, 2013 will cap off nine days of events and celebrations around the Paul Vatine dock basin at Le Havre and the Transat Jacques Vabre competitors will set off for a new destination, Itajai (Brazil) - some 5,395 miles away on the direct course!

Jacques Rosio president of the Transat Jacques Vabre association said, 'Cartagena (Colombia), Salvador de Bahia (Brazil), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Itajaí (Brazil), for 20 years the Transat Jacques Vabre has been bringing the competitors on discovery routes to South American ports.'

Le Havre to Itajai - 2013 Transat Jacques Vabre © Transat Jacques Vabre

'The 2013 edition is dynamic and innovative. Itajaí, in Brazil, shows just how open we have been over the course of these 20 years.'

Situated in the state of Santa Catalina in the south of Brazil, Itajaí is a major fishing harbour and Brazil’s second in terms of exports. In September each year, the town hosts one of the main Brazilian popular music festivals.
M. Jandi Bellini, the Mayor of Itajaí, is pleased that the town will be part of the Transat Jacques Vabre and of the association with the French town of Le Havre, which will further strengthen strong nautical links already established.

'It is a great honour for us to be the arrival port for this important event, currently in its 20th year. This further contributes to strengthening the nautical ambitions for our city' reaffirms Jandir Bellini. He also emphasised that the municipality would working to provide the best for the skippers and that the population of Itajaí. 'The region will welcome them with open arms,' he added.

'Since 1993, the Transat Jacques Vabre has held an important place among the great offshore races. With this new destination, participants will race to a great coffee-producing country, confirming the tradition of this event founded by Jacques Vabre and the town of Le Havre 20 years ago. This year, as in 2007, sustainable development is at the heart of the organisation's concerns, echoing Jacques Vabre’s environmental commitment for whom 'each coffee is a world to discover' explained Clotilde Bednarek, Marketing Director Coffee - Mondelèz International.

For 20 years, Le Havre has hosted the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre, 'The Transat Jacques Vabre is a major event for our city. For centuries we can rightfully claim to be a maritime city. The people from Le Havre especially hold this race close to their hearts and there is more and more support for the event from the public. In 2011, we welcomed 300,000 visitors to the village and in 2013, we will make every effort to ensure that the 20th anniversary of the Transat Jacques Vabre will be unforgettable for everyone,', said Philippe Edouard, Mayor of Le Havre and deputy for Seine-Maritime.

40 or 60 foot monohulls, 50-foot multihulls, everyone will take to the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2013 * and have a course tailored to their speed. The race promises a celebration welcome for all competitors equally whether first, fifth or last.

* Subject to the commitment of five competitors per class.

The Notice of Race is available to download from the Transat Jacques Vabre website