In Fort-de-France
An arrival in majesty, in a postcard setting and to the sound of the cannons of Fort Saint-Louis.
This Tuesday afternoon, the maxi-trimaran
Edmond de Rothschild
crossed the finish line of the Transat Jacques Vabre in the bay of Fort-de-France, at 3.17 p.m. (10:17 a.m. in Martinique).
After a little more than 16 days of a masterful race, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier triumph in the Ultim.
The premier category, that of giant (32 meters) and flying trimarans.
In the fight for 2nd place,
Banque Populaire XI
(Armel Le Cléac'h-Kevin Escoffier) and
SVR Lazartigue
(François Gabart-Tom Laperche) are only expected in the evening in the Baie des Flamands.
Unchallenged domination
If their lead had melted in the throes of the Doldrums over the past 36 hours, giving rise to a semblance of suspense in spite of themselves, Cammas and Caudrelier have done well in a real demonstration in the Atlantic. After the unusual and tense calm in the English Channel and at the Breton point causing several changes of leaders, the Aixois and the Finistérien took power in Cap Finisterre on the 3rd day of the race. To never let go. Their lead swelled and swelled again, approaching 450 miles in the ascent to the Brazilian archipelago of Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo. A hole. The last few days have been more painful in light airs, to multiply the maneuvers, exhausting on these ultra-demanding machines. But the objective is fulfilled, with the manner.
Great favorites at the start of Le Havre at the helm of the most reliable and proven boat in the Ultim fleet, Cammas and Caudrelier have assumed their status with mastery. To give the Gitana Team its second victory in the Transat Jacques Vabre after that won in 2013 with, already, Caudrelier and Sébastien Josse. La Route du Café is particularly successful in Cammas, now four times winner (2001, 2003, 2007 and 2021) as well as its partner, three times winner (2009, 2013 and 2021). Two sailors with an already long track record. An association promised to make sparks.
Charles Caudrelier's achievements:
Solitaire du Figaro 1999 (1st rookie), Solitaire du Figaro 2004, Transat Jacques Vabre (2009, 2013), Volvo Ocean Race (2011-2012 // 2017 - 2018), Sailor of the year 2018, Rolex Fastnet Race 2019 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild), Brest Atlantiques 2019 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild), Drheam Cup 2020 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild), Rolex Fastnet Race 2021 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild), Transat Jacques Vabre 2021 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild) Rothschild)
Franck Cammas' achievements:
Solitaire du Figaro 1997, ORMA Champion (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006), Transat Jacques Vabre (2001, 2003, 2007), Discovery Route 2007, North Atlantic Record 2007, Jules Verne Trophy 2010, Route du Rhum 2010 (Ultimate Category), Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012, Sailor of the Year 2012 - 2013, World Champion Class C (Small Cup) 2013, Rolex Fastnet Race 2019 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild), Brest Atlantiques 2019 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild), Drheam Cup 2020 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild), Rolex Fastnet Race 2021 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild), Transat Jacques Vabre 2021 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild)
