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Special deliveries How teams are organising the delivery back

Édition 2025  |  20 October 2025 - 14h00
For the first time in the history of the race, the return delivery from Martinique must be completed under sail. It is mandatory for all classes. This big commitment underlines that TRANSAT CAFÉ L’OR Le Havre Normandie's wants to be seen to be innovative and a driving force in sustainable ocean racing. The skippers supported the idea and most are already organised for the return delivery from Martinique back to Europe.

It is point number 24 on the Notice of Race which all skippers have to respect . It stipulates that teams "must comply with various environmental standards, such as the obligation for boats to be delivered back from the finish under sail."

The teams have no qualms and fully endorse this new ruling, "It's a no-brainer," assures Anne-Claire Le Berre (Upwind by MerConcept, Ocean Fifty). "We're all trying to reduce our impact as much as possible, to decarbonize our activity, so for us it's normal. If there are no major issues on the boat that can't be repaired, I don't see any other solution other than to sail the boat back!"

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"I wouldn't have considered any other option."

"We have boats that are designed and built to cross the Atlantic, and it works both ways," smiles Yann Eliès, co-skipper of Élodie Bonafous (Association petits princes - Quéguiner). "It makes sense now especially since the crossing is very fast now."

"It's clear that to get our boat back to our base as quickly as possible and save costs, this is the best option," adds Justine Mettraux (Teamwork-TeamSnef).

Of course, the return crossing will be longer for the Class40s, but that doesn't matter. "I wouldn't have considered any other option," assures Sasha Lanièce (Alderan).

"We're sailors, it's up to us to find the least polluting solutions possible." Vincent Riou (Pierreval-GoodPlanet Foundation) nevertheless points out that vigilance will be required, particularly given the weather conditions the sailors may encounter: "We have to be prepared for it to be long and for us to likely to stop in the Azores, the Canaries, or Lisbon."

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The Mini skippers are recruited

In any case, the delivery trip is also an opportunity to give some sailors the chance to gain first hand experience on board.

"It also allows some members of the technical team to experience the open ocean firsthand, which can be invaluable for making changes to the boat," assures Yann Eliès. There's nothing better than being on board for a long time to see if a fitting needs to be repositioned, the galley area improved, or a small storage area added."

And it is good for team building, as will be the case aboard Upwind by MerConcept, where Anne-Claire Le Berre will team up with "two of the project's members," Michaela Robinson and Tiphaine Ragueneau. "It's great to be able to allow them to share this moment, even though they've never been across the Atlantic aboard the boat."

Many teams are bringing Mini-Transat sailors on board according to Vincent Riou. The Mini-Transat finishes at the same time in Guadeloupe. The race rules encourages teams to 'get in touch with the Mini class to help train your return crews.'

"I have the names of a few Mini class friends who will be delighted to make the return trip in a Class40," smiles Sasha Lanièce.

"There are a lot of Mini class sailors who are interested in delivery trips," adds Achille Nebout (Amarris). "It's really great to know they're not far away and can help us bring our Class40s home." Aboard Nebout's boat, Amarris, two Mini class sailors will be work alongside Gildas Mahé, the co-skipper. It should be a great experience and will undoubtedly generate great memories.

Yann Eliès, who has lost count of his delivery trips, confirms: "You can all push the boata bit more and enjoy the crew and the scenery a little more. There are some cool moments, a little less extreme. These are great adventures to be enjoyed!"

Portrait AMARRIS
© Jean Marie Liot / Alea