The Transat Paprec is better known under its former name: "Transat AG2R La Mondiale". Now organized by OC Sport, this transatlantic race is run every two years on Figaro Bénéteau boats. It is therefore a one-design double-handed race. The first race took place in 1992. The 2020 event has been cancelled, so that from now on, it is the odd years that are raced. In 2023, it will be the 16th edition.
A clear path
The course is simple: departure from Concarneau, arrival in Saint-Barthélemy in the West Indies. This year, the fleet will have to go south to avoid the Canary Islands. This choice was made by the race committee in order to avoid the direct routes to the North, often subject to capricious weather. The distance to cover is 3,890 miles.
18 days to beat
If the first winners, Michel Desjoyeaux and Jacques Caraes took more than 24 days to complete the event, the time to beat is that of Nils Palmieri and Julien Villion of 18 days achieved in 2021.
Mixed gender duos for 2023
Great duos have distinguished themselves in this race, such as Roland Jourdain and Jean Le Cam or Alain Gautier and Jimmy Pahun. This year, for the first time, mixed duos, one woman and one man, are required to make up the crews. Historically, this race has always been a success for women, as women such as Karine Fauconnier and Florence Arthaud have been at the forefront. We expect about 12 boats on the starting line for the 2023 edition.
An event open to amateurs
In order to offer all the chances to the amateurs, the course is voluntarily limited to the Southern route which is based on the Trade Winds. A route less hard and less dangerous than the northern one. For this, a virtual gate is placed at the level of the Canaries. To register, amateurs must prove their experience either by participating in a Figaro race, or by doing a qualifying course of 800 miles validated by the race organization.
