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 (4,335 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).

Winners

IMOCA 60 – Winners

Class 40 - Winners

1993 1st Edition

The first edition was a single handed race between Le Havre and Cartagena (Colombia). 13 boats started.

ORMA 60 Multihulls

IMOCA 60

1995

A two-handed race between Le Havre and Cartagena. Classements Skippers Bateaux Temps de course

ORMA

IMOCA 60

1997

Again a two-handed race between Le Havre and Cartagena.

60ft Multihulls

IMOCA 60

50ft Multi

50ft Monohull

1999

This year was marked by the disappearance of Paul Vatine, on board the Groupe André.

Multihulls

IMOCA 60

IMOCA 50

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.

ORMA

IMOCA 60

=== Classe 2 ===

2003

From this year there have been 4 categories of boats and 38 competitors.

60ft Multihulls

IMOCA 60

50ft Multihulls

50ft Monohulls

2005

The start was 5 November for the monohulls and 6 November for the multihulls. 4340 mi (monohulls 50 and 60 feet) or 5190 mi to do this year. 34 boats were registered:

Multi 60 Orma

IMOCA 60

Multi Classe 2

Mono Classe 2

2007

The start was 3 November for the monohulls and 4 November for the multihulls from Le Havre. This year, 60 boats were registered.

ORMA

IMOCA 60

Multi 50

Class 40

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).

Multi50

2011

2013

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.

2017

2019

The 2019 of the Transat Jacques Vabre was the 14th edition edition and was raced from Le Havre, France, to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil.

2021

2023