Transat Jacques Vabre 2023 - Congratulations to Cédric Chateau and Guillaume Pirouelle for this beautiful adventure!
November 24th, 2023
The arrival in Fort-de-France on Friday, November 24, 2023, at 3:30 local time - Photo credit : Nicolas Touzé
On Friday at 3:30 local time (8:30 Paris time), Cédric Chateau and Guillaume Pirouelle crossed the finish line of the second leg of the Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre in 16th position. The repair granted by the jury elevates them to the 14th position in this 16th edition.
The racing time for the 197 Seafrigo Sogestran is 19 days, 10 hours, 19 minutes, and 23 seconds. It covered the 3,500 miles from Lorient to Fort de France.
Following the damage caused to the show buoy in Le Havre on October 29, the 197 Seafrigo Sogestran could not complete the first leg between Le Havre and Lorient. In record time, with the support of partners and strong solidarity from the nautical community, the boat was nevertheless repaired to take the second start on November 6. A repair was also granted by the jury in favor of the 197, positioning the duo of Le Havre skippers in the 14th place in the overall ranking at the end of the race.
Cédric and Guillaume at the finish: "The approach to Martinique has been the subject of much debate, from North to South and through the East, never has a weather situation left so much uncertainty and suspense. This ranking, a bit far from our expectations, obviously frustrates us a bit; we are both competitors, but we were facing a strong field and a boat that we really got to know only at the time of this race."
Message from the Sogestran Group
The Sogestran Group sponsors Class40 number 197 alongside Seafrigo, SIM Employment Agencies, and Helvetia Insurance Switzerland. The boat carries the colors of the Imagine for Margo - Children without Cancer association. We all together accompanied Cédric and Guillaume in this Transat. We want to congratulate our sailors for this thrilling race!
For our Group, supporting the Normandy offshore program, an incubator of talent for offshore racing, is a strong commitment. Navigation is at the heart of a significant part of our activities, and the values of the Group are reflected in this sport: ✅ Trust ✅ Agility ✅ Pride ✅ Commitment
And we can say that these values were at the heart of this Transat! What an incredible adventure!
Hull pierced a few minutes after the start, return to port, exemplary solidarity from the maritime world, overland transport to Lorient, repair. Our two skippers were at the start of the second leg of the Transat, tired but so happy to be able to go.
This 2nd stage, Lorient / Fort-de-France, was intense. Very rough weather in the Bay of Biscay, real puzzles during strategic race choices, nerves put to the test...
Cédric and Guillaume, the group thanks you for your unwavering commitment and extends its congratulations for this race.
We know that you dreamed of a better ranking than this 16th place, but on land, know that we celebrate your arrival in Fort-de-France as if you had won the race! As they say: The important thing is not the destination, but the journey.
You have overcome the twists and turns of the start and made us experience this adventure from the inside. We vibrated to the rhythm of your strategic choices, your joys, your disappointments. We learned through your pedagogy. We smiled thanks to your good humor.
Congratulations, gentlemen, for this race full of twists and turns! We are proud of your race!
Thank you to you, your teams, your loved ones.
And see you for the next races!
Message from the Sogestran Group
The Sogestran Group sponsors Class40 number 197 alongside Seafrigo, SIM Employment Agencies, and Helvetia Insurance Switzerland. The boat carries the colors of the Imagine for Margo - Children without Cancer association. We all together accompanied Cédric and Guillaume in this Transat. We want to congratulate our sailors for this thrilling race!
For our Group, supporting the Normandy offshore program, an incubator of talent for offshore racing, is a strong commitment. Navigation is at the heart of a significant part of our activities, and the values of the Group are reflected in this sport: ✅ Trust ✅ Agility ✅ Pride ✅ Commitment
And we can say that these values were at the heart of this Transat! What an incredible adventure!
Hull pierced a few minutes after the start, return to port, exemplary solidarity from the maritime world, overland transport to Lorient, repair. Our two skippers were at the start of the second leg of the Transat, tired but so happy to be able to go.
This 2nd stage, Lorient / Fort-de-France, was intense. Very rough weather in the Bay of Biscay, real puzzles during strategic race choices, nerves put to the test...
Cédric and Guillaume, the group thanks you for your unwavering commitment and extends its congratulations for this race.
We know that you dreamed of a better ranking than this 16th place, but on land, know that we celebrate your arrival in Fort-de-France as if you had won the race! As they say: The important thing is not the destination, but the journey.
You have overcome the twists and turns of the start and made us experience this adventure from the inside. We vibrated to the rhythm of your strategic choices, your joys, your disappointments. We learned through your pedagogy. We smiled thanks to your good humor.
Congratulations, gentlemen, for this race full of twists and turns! We are proud of your race!
Thank you to you, your teams, your loved ones.
And see you for the next races!