Transat Jacques Vabre: Cammas and Caudrelier prevail in Ultim after a masterful race

In Fort-de-France

An arrival in Majesty in a postcard decor to the sound of the cannons of Fort Saint-Louis.Who did not let tensions that have invaded Martinique.After 16 days, 1 hour, 49 minutes and 16 seconds from a masterful race, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier won on Tuesday, the Jacques Vabre Transat with the Ultim.The queen category, that of the giant (32 meters) and flying trimarans.François Gabart and Tom Laperche (SVR Lazartigue) took 2nd place almost eight hours later, followed closely by Armel Le Cléac'h and Kevin Escoffier (Banque Populaire XI) who complete the podium.Note that the first boats arrived on Monday evening could not be moored in the city center to be admired due to a burning situation against the backdrop of protest against vaccination and the health pass.They were put in safety in another area of the island while the police monitored the race village.A place of celebration rather little frequented by the public for which the essential is elsewhere.

Sharing domination

Despite this particularly heavy context, the time was still for joy and euphoria among the Kings of Ultim, authors of a real demonstration in the Atlantic."It went so well," blows Franck Cammas, all smiles, in Fort-de-France, comparing their race to "a long, quiet river even if it's every moment"."We did not make many mistakes on a reliable boat that arrives at 100% of its means.Beautiful races like that, you have to remember it, ”savor the Aixois, elected seafarers of the last decade and who knows a ray question victories.Naturally "more stressed" than his friend, Charles Caudrelier recognizes, "being afraid" by seeing their mattress losing his feathers in the throes of the pot in black at the end of the course.But all the same less than when their boat came close to the hull of a cargo in the middle of the night, at Cap Finisterre - "the fear of our life".

After the unusual and crisp petole in the English Channel and at the Breton tip causing several changes of leaders, it is in this same delicate zone, near the Spanish coast, that the two men took power, from the 3rd day of racing.To never let go of it despite a little mechanical concern that made them think of stopping, but ultimately repaired, "a miracle".Their advance has inflated and swollen again, to graze the 450 miles in the ascent to the Brazilian archipelago of Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo.A chasm, a successful demonstration also thanks to the expertise of their routers (Erwan Israel, Stan Honey and Chris Bedford)."But on the map, your competitors always seem close," tempers Caudrelier, who still admits having lived "moments of grace" on this deckchair."When you run the boat and run in mind, these are magical moments.Even if we sometimes found that there were lengths, these boats are just crazy.There are five in the world and we are lucky to be at the helm of that one, we must enjoy it.»»»»

Big favorites at the departure of Le Havre on the best lery and most proven boat of the Fleet des Ultim, Cammas and Caudrelier assumed their status with mastery.To offer the Gitana Team its 2nd victory in the Transat Jacques Vabre after that won in 2013 with, already, Charles Caudrelier (and Sébastien Josse).A coffee route that succeeds particularly well to Franck Cammas, now Quadruple winner (2001, 2003, 2007 and 2021), as to its partner, three times titled (2009, 2013 and 2021).Two sailors in the record already long as the arm which dedicated this umpteenth victory to their owner Benjamin de Rothschild, who died last January and who had bet on their beautiful complicity by recruiting them in 2019."It never went so well between the two (at sea)," slips Caudrelier.There were no bad times.It was perfect with mutual trust.We have never contradicted ourselves.»»

Face à une concurrence qui progresse déjà vite et bien (SVR Lazartigue et Banque populaire XI ont été mis à l'eau en 2021), le duo estime pouvoir encore « faire progresser»»»» leur plan Verdier millésime 2017. Un bateau ramené à la maison par Caudrelier, sans Cammas et en « faux solo»»»» (le boat captain David Boileau et le mediaman Yann Riou seront tout de même à bord), en vue de la Route du rhum 2022 où le Finistérien visera encore la gagne."The objective is to take the measure of maneuvers. Sur ces bateaux, il y a un univers entre le double et le solitaire dans la gestion des risques et de l'anticipation»»»», glisse-t-il.

Once in Lorient, the former lonely winner of Le Figaro will not take off his boots and his waxed long.After an aborted attempt on breakage last year, the duo will again attack the Jules Verne trophy, the record of the world in crew, formerly held by Cammas.These two are never satisfied.

The prize list of Charles Caudrelier: Solitaire du Figaro 1999 (1st Bizuth), Solitaire du Figaro 2004, Transat Jacques Vabre (2009, 2013), Volvo Ocean Race (2011-2012 // 2017-2018), sailor of 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 deRothschild)

The list of Franck Cammas: Solitaire du Figaro 1997, Champion Orma (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006), Transat Jacques Vabre (2001, 2003, 2007), route de la Découverte 2007, record of the North Atlantic2007, Jules Verne 2010 trophy, Route du Rhum 2010 (Ultimate category), Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012, sailor of the year 2012-2013, World Class C champion (Petite Cup) 2013, Rolex Fastnet Race 2019 (Maxi Edmondde 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)

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