IN IMAGES – Fort-de-France awaits the skippers of the Transat Jacques Vabre

The arrival village of the 15th coffee route between Le Havre and Martinique was inaugurated this weekend in Fort-de-France. Close to the pontoons which will accommodate the sailboats which left on December 7 to storm the Atlantic Ocean. The first trimaran could arrive this Monday evening, either in the middle of the night metropolitan time. And the race still has surprises in store for who – in each of the categories – will cross the finish line first in the immense bay open to the Caribbean Sea. The Ultim Edmond de Rothschild by Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier could get their politeness toast by the Ocean Fifty Primonial by Sébastien Rogues and Matthieu Souben. These 2 categories of boats did not have the same course, the faster Ultim having to sail an additional 3,000 km. The first Imoca are expected on Thursday.

For the people of Martinique, it is a discovery of ocean racing. Damien de Longueville President of Martinique Transat

For Martinicans it is a discovery because “the region has not hosted a race of the magnitude of the Jacques Vabre “ underlines Damien de Longueville President of Martinique Transat, it’s a discovery of ocean racing, it will fascinate everyone and it will take shape when the boats arrive. There are a lot of boaters in Martinique, we have the culture of the Yole (typical wooden boat) and coastal navigation but not offshore racing and it is interesting to bring these two worlds together “.

In the village, many stands presenting Martinican know-how and heritage are installed. “It represents a lot for Martinique, it was a real challenge to organize this arrival in less than 10 months “ welcomes the mayor of Fort-de-France Didier Laguerre, “it is also a great visibility. Martinique is also a land of coffee, it was the landing place of the first Arabica typica coffee plant “. The coffee sector is restarting in Martinique with 3 roasters on the island and an eco-museum is in the pipeline.

It means a lot for Martinique. Didier Laguerre, mayor of Fort-de-France

The Transat Jacques Vabre gave rise to 30 educational projects in schools in Martinique. According to the mayor of Fort-de-France “offshore racing is a special event because the crossing of the Atlantic represents a lot for us in terms of history and heritage, it is a symbol “.

Crossing the Atlantic means a lot to us in terms of history. Didier Laguerre, mayor of Fort-de-France

Given the curfew introduced at 8 p.m. in Martinique, the public will not be able to attend the arrival of night boats. In a tense social climate, Prefect Stanislas Cazelles will be vigilant about safety at sea and on land: “It’s been weeks and months that the event has been prepared, we ask the population to take great care with the health pass, the wearing of masks and the objective is that all families can walk in this beautiful village. “ After Guadeloupe a call for a general strike was launched from this Monday in the island. Appeal signed by 17 unions opposed to the compulsory vaccination of caregivers and also asking for wage increases.