The Tour de Martinique – a new edition and a revised format

Bertrand de Broc (Ambassador) Chantalle Vetro (CMT), Georges Brival (Sponsor), Claude Granel (Director organization), Franck Dupont (Petroservices / SMS), Jean-Michel Figueres (Race Director) © Caroline Rosier

The Round Martinique Regatta (Tour de Martinique), created over 50 years ago and co-organized by the Yacht Club Neptune and the association Ven dan Vwèl 972 since 2014, was presented in Fort-de-France today. The event forms part of the Caribbean Sailing Association calendar of events and is federated by the French Sailing Federation.

Taking place from 13 to 15 February 2015, the Round Martinique Regatta will gather over 30 entries above 24 feet (7, 30), which will be divided into 5 classes: Cruising, Racing, Melges, Cruising Multihulls and Surprises.

A three-stage race

New for 2015, the race will be split into three stages, running anticlockwise round Martinique. The competitors will leave from Fort de France on Friday, February 13 in the morning for the first stage for a finish in Marin, where the crew will spend the first evening.

On 14 February, St. Valentine's Day, they fleet will set off from Marin on the second stage of the race for Robert. The final stage, the longest of the three, will see the competitors race from Robert to Fort-de-France and the finish line which they should reach on Sunday the 15th for sunset in time for the prize giving which will be hosted at the Club Nautique Neptune du Lamentin.

Confirmed skippers

Marc Emig, professional skipper and offshore sailor will sail on the Ven Dan Vwèl Martinique, a boat which he has raced on for a number of years and which is due to arrive tonight having competed on the Transquadra 2015 race.

Talented local sailors, Régis Guillemot, Eric Baray, Nicolas Gillet and others will ensure the competition is tough in their class.

Rodolphe Sepho (Class 40) and Daniel Ecalard (Rum Class) who participated in the last Route du Rhum will also be racing on the Round Martinique Regatta (Tour de Martinique).

In order to raise the competition a real time overall classification will be awarded to the fastest boat across the accumulated three stages of the race.

Bertrand de Broc, a renowned Ambassador for the race

Bertrand de Broc, multiple Vendée Globe participant and very experienced offshore sailor is once more ambassador of the 2015 edition and will participate for the second consecutive year on the race. "This is an exceptional course with lots of tactics, navigation, and variable winds all at play. I loved the previous edition: sailing around this beautiful island and the great atmosphere amongst the crew both on the water and then on shore. All the elements were in place for me to come back," says Bertrand de Broc.

All non-residents in Martinique boats will benefit from the new pontoons Marina Community of Z'abricot Harbour from 11 to 15 February.

Shuttles (land and / or sea) will provide transportation to Morne Cabri Lamentin, where the Yacht Club Neputune du Lamentin has its base.

Where and when to see past boats?

Friday, February 13, 2015
Start at 9am to be given by the First Vice-President of the Region, Catherine Conconne and George Brival, the event godfather. The start will be held close to shore at Pointe Simon and the Malecon in Fort-de-France. The fleet is then expected to reach the Rocher du Diamant around 11 am and then Marin later that afternoon.

The Transquadra fleet will join the Round Martinique Regatta at the Rocher du Diamant for a sail and then evening crew drinks at the beach in Marin.

Saturday, February 14, 2015
9 am start from the Bay of St. Anne in Marin. At approximately 10 am the fleet is expected at the "Salines" for a spinnaker finish in Robert Bay early in the afternoon.

Sunday, February 15, 2015
Robert 8am start. Wonderful viewpoints for those watching form ashore can be had at Prêcheur late morning and Saint Pierre in the early afternoon and Carbet and then at the Pointe de la Vierge in Fort de France from 4pm for the finish.

Local sponsors and partners

Key partners: SGS / PetroServices, Region Martinique and CMT, the City of Lamentin and Martinique Première

SGS and PétroServices, main sponsors for the second year.

"We are honoured for the second consecutive year of being the main sponsor of this key race. Together with the SGS Group, we are working this year to support this exceptional race. Indeed, sailing, as in business, requires technical skills and know-how to be successful. Team work, the balance between tactical and strategic choices, adapting to the environment, pushing oneself, are all necessary assets to both skippers and the women and men who work in our companies." Enthuses Franck Dupont, President of Pétroservices.

Official partners: Traparinter, e-Company, Maximarine, North Sails and Régis Guillemot Charter.