16th Transat Jacques Vabre – La Martinique  -29 October – 12 November

Sunday 12th November 2023. The 16th double-hander Transat Jacques Vabre ocean race from Le Havre to Martinique returned its verdict for the Ultim class with victory for Sébastien Josse and Armel Le Cléac’h. It took the Maxi 14 days 10 hours 14 minutes and 50 seconds to swallow up the 7,500 nautical miles.

“It’s the satisfaction of a job well done. We’ve been sailing with Armel for two years. This race wasn’t easy and we really had to push it. I think we’re satisfied and happy with the work put in. It bodes well for the future,” said Sébastien Josse from Yacht Club de Monaco at the finish in Martinique.

After leaving Le Havre on Sunday 29th October, the pair took the lead from the Madeira passage having made a bold tactical decision to be the only one to skirt the island from the north. The duo took advantage of ideal weather conditions to bring out the Ultim’s full downwind potential. With an average 30-plus knots registered for several days, the 32m long Maxi achieved a perfect finish to close the gap then widen it before crossing the line.