Prior to the start in Le Havre, it was Armel Le Cléac’h (Britair) who stood the best chance of winning ahead of Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) and Marc Guillemot (Safran). Fortunately for Marc Guillemot, the very fine second and third places that went to Kito de Pavant (Groupe Bel) and Mike Golding (Mike Golding Yacht Racing), deprived the double Vendée Globe winner of the 2009 title. Indeed this particularly lively 2009 edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre initially saw the supremacy of the two sisterships, Safran and Groupe Bel, contested by crews who were especially at ease in the breezy conditions, namely Roland Jourdain – Jean-Luc Nélias (Veolia Environnement) as well as Sébastien Josse – Jean-François Cuzon (BT). However, once the storm had passed, the two leading boats really stole a march on their pursuers. This unquestionable speed potential combined with weather phenomena which favoured progress at the front of the pack, explain the considerable separation between the fleet at the finish.

The IMOCA 2009 ranking sees victory go to a Champion whose human qualities no longer need to be proven, but for whom a big win in a classic race has been lacking for some time. This record has now been set straight in grand style, because in addition to this great victory in the Transat Jacques Vabre, Marc Guillemot (Safran) has also won the World Championship title into the bargain, crowning off what has been an exceptional season.

IMOCA 2009 Ranking
1 Marc Guillemot (Safran) 362 pts
2 Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) 357 pts
3 Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air) 338 pts
4 Sam Davies (Artemis II) 321 pts
5 Vincent Riou (PRB) 304 pts
6 Dee Caffari (Aviva) 295 pts
7 Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas) 292 pts
8 Brian Thompson (Brian Thompson Racing) 281 pts
9 Steve White (Spirit of Weymouth) 250 pts
10 Richard Wilson (Great American III) 220 pts