Zhik is thrilled to announce that the Zhik Team of Yoann Richomme and Yann Eliès aboard the Imoca 60 'Paprec Arkéa' has achieved an outstanding second-place finish in the prestigious Transat Jacques Vabre Race.
This year marked a huge milestone as La Havre celebrated its 30th anniversary as the host city of the Transat Jaques Vabre. The race village came to life on the 21st of October, with Le Havre, the largest city in Normandy, buzzing with excitement as fans and members of the public braved the stormy weather to partake in the festivities. Against the backdrop of the picturesque Basin Paul Vatine, a magnificent fleet of 96 vessels, including Imoca, Class40, Ultim, and Ocean Fifty were on display.
The 40-boat strong Imoca fleet saw a delayed start, getting underway at 08:30hrs UTC - eight days after their scheduled departure. In 20-25 knot south-westerly winds, Paprec Arkéa commanded a strong start to leeward of the pack, with the opening hours of the race featuring the fleet fiercely tacking upwind against the north of France.
As Beyou/Cammas’ ’Charal’ and Ruyant/Lagravière’s ‘For People’ surged ahead into an early lead, Paprec Arkéa settled comfortably into the top 6 as the first night fell. In the early hours of the following morning, the fleet braved it out into the Celtic Sea in the building southwest winds, soon giving way to a shift to the northwest. Now, the fleet boosted south and a strong 48 hours saw Paprec Arkéa clear pack to engage in the battle for the lead with Charal and For People.
Approaching North Africa gave way to challenging lighter winds. Paprec Arkéa, Charal and For People made the strategic decision to continue on a southerly course while Teamwork.net and Groupe Dubreuil led a group deciding to split west of Madeira in search of more favourable winds. On their way downwind through the Canaries, Paprec Arkéa claimed the lead and the time came to gybe to head offshore out into the Atlantic. The next week saw a lead swap back to For People and the southern half of the fleet using moderate easterly winds to gybe their way across the mid-Atlantic. As the fleet converged towards the finishing line, the northern group rejoined in the mid-pack.
After a monumental effort holding off Goodchild/Koch’s For the Planet in the latter stages of the race, Paprec Arkéa secured their second place as the sun rose over the Bay of Fort de France in Martinique by a mere 9 minutes and 16 seconds. Yoann Richomme and Yann Eliès showcased exceptional skills and unwavering determination to complete the race in a remarkable 12 days, 1 hour, and 41 minutes.
