05.10.2007
120 skippers at the start of the 2007 Transat Jacques Vabre
With 60 boats registered, the eighth edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre confirms the success of this race and its establishment as a major classic. Created back in 1993, and indeed ever since, this race, which follows the historic route of the coffee trade, has grown continually both in terms of its fame and sporting interest. For each new edition, the greatest yachtsmen turn up to compete in the Transat Jacques Vabre.
An exceptional line-up
60 boats at the start, while there were 38 two years ago and 13 for the first edition back in 1993. 120 of the top ocean racing skippers will be present in Le Havre, thus confirming the popularity of the ocean race and showing that all of the skippers still have that desire to take part.
A unique welcome
Since 1995, the teams in Le Havre have managed to create some exceptional conditions for the hosting of the race, and steadily improved on them with each new edition. Today, Le Havre is one of the top homeports for ocean races. For this eighth Transat Jacques Vabre, a marina is going to be created at the back of the Paul Vatine Basin for the thirty Class 40 boats, with the multihulls and the monohulls spread over the two sides of the basin.
A wide-ranging permanent programme of events is planned for the 7000 m² village, which will be open throughout the week. It will be open each day from Friday 26th October to Sunday 4th November from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with three late night openings.
Increased media coverage
The major ongoing partnership with Jacques Vabre has led to unrivalled media interest in France and publicised the race.
As far as media coverage is concerned, it looks like being exceptional, with some special arrangements being put in place:
80,000 printed copies of the official programme will be distributed free of charge, including some with the daily Métro paper on 22nd October. There will be special features in French magazines, like Le Figaro Magazine, Paris-Match, l'Equipe Magazine, Le Point, Voiles et Voiliers,…
Moreover, Pen Duick has renewed its agreement with the AFP Photo service, which will be covering the event and ensuring a large circulation of pictures.
Several poster-advertising campaigns are being carried out by the City of Le Havre and Jacques Vabre in partnership with Avenir throughout France.
Planète Thalassa and Orange are getting together to cover the event from the prologues and right up to the finish with a series of special daily programmes.
As for radio stations, the Radio France group will be alongside the event, with France Info and the France Bleu network.
The TV partner, TF1 will be monitoring the race on a daily basis with a special report at 12.50, as well as ensuring a lot of news coverage on LCI and Eurosport.
Practical information
The boats must be in harbour in Le Havre by noon on Friday 26th October. The media centre and race HQ will be set up in the Coffee Docks with all the necessary means of communication from Friday 26th October to 8 p.m. on Sunday 4th November.
To ensure that each of the classes taking part are covered, six journalists will be following the event around the clock, right up until the end of the race, in particular with the website on which there will be five rankings published daily between 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. and a new chart presentation.
At four in the morning on Monday 5th November, the media centre in Paris will be opening its doors at TF1 and will reindex open until 16th November. Radio reports with the skippers will be carried out throughout the day, with the climax between 12.30 and 2 p.m.
From 12th November, the Media Centre and Race HQ will be set up both in the Hôtel Catussaba and in the Sea Sports Centre in Salvador, where the boats will be mooring.
The prize-giving ceremony will take place in Salvador in two stages. The first evening on Tuesday 20th November will concern the first boats to finish, while a second evening will reward the Class 40 boats on Tuesday 27th November.
Press Conf. : The 120 skippers
© MOCHET Marcel / AFP
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Transat Jacques Vabre 2005
© MOCHET Marcel / AFP
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Transat Jacques Vabre 2005
© MOCHET Marcel / AFP
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