The tandem, aboard a latest generation Imoca (18 m monohull), arrived in Martinique on Thursday at 9.48am local time (2.48pm Paris time) after 18 days and an hour at sea. They have a very large lead. on their direct pursuers, Charlie Dalin and Paul Meilhat (Apivia), expected at least fifteen hours later according to the latest estimates on Thursday.
The two skippers each secured their first victory in the double-handed race, which started from Le Havre on November 7.
Rettant signed this transatlantic race on the boat that allowed him to rank sixth in the Vendée Globe 2020/2021, and which he will drop next year in favor of a brand new brand new boat, built as part of his project. with the same main partner.
The 40-year-old northerner sailor already has a solid track record with a victory in the Route du Rhum in 2010 (in Class 40, 12m monohull), in the 2009 Mini Transat and in the Transat AG2R La Mondiale 2018. In 2016, he had to retire during his first participation in the Vendée Globe, the legendary solo round-the-world race.
Associated with Lagravière (34), Rettant dominated the Imoca fleet, with 22 boats at the start, the vast majority of which returned to a great race nine months after the end of the Vendée Globe.
The 15th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre was a long journey, due to a lack of winds at many points of the route, which forced the sailors to do multiple maneuvers.
"This final in the oppressive heat is endless. Morgan and I were thinking that we have never spent so much time at sea in these tropical latitudes. We have had very little rain since the Doldrums. ", had underlined Rouillard a few hours before the arrival.
© 2021 AFP