TRANSAT CAFÉ L’OR

Transat Café L’OR Le Havre Normandie is one of the world’s most iconic transatlantic sailing races. Starting October 26, 2025, nearly 150 skippers will set sail from Le Havre, France, bound for Fort-de-France, Martinique. As part of this partnership, the race will introduce bold new sustainability and inclusivity measures. Together, these initiatives underscore a shared vision: harnessing the power of sport to drive lasting change for the ocean and our communities.

 

Visit the Transat Café L’OR website

Initiatives supported by 11th Hour Racing

  • Water refill stations, on-site composting, and the elimination of single-use plastics in the race village
  • The Ocean Experience, supported by 11th Hour Racing–a multi-sensory experience, which brings the ocean and its ecosystems to life through videos and special effects, and tells the story of the ocean and the sailors who call it their playground
  • Sailing for All Day – October 24th will be the day dedicated to highlighting accessibility to all in the sport of sailing. This day will be a celebration of inclusivity in sailing, showcasing gender equity and expanded access to the sport. The event will feature partnerships with Team Francesca Clapcich, UpWind by MerConcept’s IMOCA Female Leadership Development Program, and The Magenta Project.
  • For the first time, competitors will be prohibited from transporting their vessels home by cargo ship after the race, in an effort to reduce environmental impact. Teams must sail all vessels back to France on their own, unless they have sustained significant damage.

Background

The TRANSAT CAFÉ L’OR Le Havre Normandie is the longest and most demanding of the transatlantic races. Every two years, the skippers set off in pairs from the port of Le Havre to coffee-growing countries. The adventure was born in 1993, from a partnership between the city of Le Havre and the JDE Peet’s group, owner of the L’OR brand. Through committed choices in all aspects of the race (sporting, partnership, operational, communication), the TRANSAT CAFÉ L’OR association wishes to be a key player in the transformation of ocean racing for greater accessibility, sustainability and popularity. By exploring the imaginaries of ocean racing, it wishes to show a way towards a more sustainable and inclusive world, while continuing to transmit dreams and a taste for daring.

 

 

 

 

PHOTO CREDIT: JACQUES VABRE