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Transat Jacques Vabre: a tense arrival in Martinique, where a general strike begins

2021-11-22T07:40:14.711Z


While the suspense is rife as to which boat will cross the line first next night, the arrival of the crossing of the atlantiq


The yellow and blue pontoon on a sea bathed in sunshine offers a postcard decor.

"The bay of Fort-de-France is one of the most beautiful in the world," recalls Caroline Caron, general manager of the Transat Jacques Vabre.

From the quays, you can see the finish line, you can moor all the boats, in front of the village.

Yes, we were hoping by coming here to do concerts until midnight, it won't be possible but that doesn't mean it's not a success.

Especially since the party was not the number one criterion when we chose to arrive in Fort-de-France.

"

While the first boats will cross the line next night (around 8 p.m. in Martinique, 1 hour in France), on the Martinican side, the heart is not necessarily there.

While Guadeloupe has fallen into chaos, the announcement of a general strike from Monday has brought its share of uncertainties, with the fear of contagion.

On Saturday, gas stations were stormed, blockades and snail operations are scheduled for Monday in several places on the island.

Read also Martinique: wages, vaccine obligation, fuel price ... call for a general strike from this Monday

The fear of a demonstration around the village of the Transat is real, especially as several associations had seized the administrative court in order to cancel the arrival of the Transat Jacques Vabre in Martinique.

In other words, despite the thermometer flirting with 30 degrees, in Fort de France, we are far from the effervescence of Le Havre, where at the time of departure, on November 6, tens of thousands of people had gathered around basins.

"The party will not be spoiled"

The thirty or so stands do not attract crowds. No doubt because the health pass is required to approach them, while only 38% of the population is vaccinated. While on the other side of the bay, tourists and locals invest in the restaurants set up along the beaches of 3 îlets and Anse à l'Âne, the village is rather quiet. The arrival of the leaders of the race, a priori at the time of the curfew, will not bring the hoped-for atmosphere. "This will not detract from the feat of the sailors," says Caroline Caron.

At sea, the battle rages between the Ocean 50 Primonial (Sébastien Rogues - Matthieu Souben) and the maxi-trimaran Edmond de Rothschild (Franck Cammas - Charles Caudrelier), knowing that the latter has, like the other boats of the Ultime class , traveled 2,000 more miles (3,700 km). Crossing the line at night promises to be magical. But will be done, as at the arrival of the Vendée Globe in January, without the crowds.

However, there was no question of abandoning Martinique.

“Because the spinoffs are significant in terms of tourism,” says Caroline Caron.

And when we reposition the race in a more responsible and useful approach, from an environmental and societal point of view, we wanted to arrive in a place that corresponds to these values.

We worked with Martinique when the Covid arrived, and it was more useful to spend money in our territories.

The party will not be spoiled, it will be different, constrained but it will be a joy to welcome the sailors.

"

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2021-11-22

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