La Solitaire du Figaro kicks off the solo season

Event media

Posted: 27  Jul. 2010

Lined up for the start of the Prologue

The 45 competitors taking part in the 41st edition of the classic summer solo race, La Solitaire du Figaro 2010, are set to sail from Le Havre for Gijón on a 515 nautical mile leg tomorrow, Tuesday 27th July local time on the first of the four stage race to be sailed over the next four weeks.

With eight rookies geared up for their first participation, five non-French sailors wishing to leave their mark and three women, including the return of Karinne Fauconnier, the 2010 line up promises to produce some memorable racing.

After yesterday’s Prologue, won by Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert), the solo sailors have spent the day making final preparations for tomorrow’s 14:00 start.

The first leg comprises a 515-nautical mile run, the longest of the four legs, from Le Havre, in Northern Normandy to the pretty port of Gijón in Asturias on the Cantabrian coastline.

British competitor Jonny Malbon, returning for his second time with Artemis describes the first leg: “It is a very technical and difficult leg route across the to Cherbourg peninsula and then though renowned difficult areas across the Breton coast before crossing the Bay of Biscay.”

“Weather forecasts vary, and there could be either very light wind for the start of up to 10-12 knots from the north-west, depending on which module you look at,: explains Sylvain Mondon (Météo France).

“In the worst case, we could have little and variable breeze for the start, or if we look at the more favourable modules, we could see the north-westerly breeze established for the upwind run to the Cotentin headland for the first night.

“The breeze should freshen up, and we could see up to 25 knots as it backs to the west on a turning tide, which will make for a tough first night of racing.”

Once the fleet round the Brittany point, with the wind of the beam, the forecast is for the breeze to lighten providing for a comfortable run with some it should be a straight down wind run towards Spain.

“We can expect to see the first reach Gijon in the early hours of Saturday” predicts Mondon, “if the forecasts do not develop and change too much.”

Previous winners of the race include Jérémie Beyou (BPI), Kito de Pavant (Groupe Bel), Eric Drouglazet (Luisina), Armel le Cléac’h (Brit Air) and Nicholas Lunven (Generali).

Race Director, Jacques Caraës, foresees the first leg complications to be three points of passage: Barfleur, the Raz Blanchard (the island of Aurigny to be left to starboard), then the Four channel.

“The first part is pretty much coastal. Setting certain passage points avoids maritime traffic off Aurigny and Ushant, which should make the racing more interesting, particularly now that the skippers can better navigate delicate areas where current and rocks can come into play. It should be an interesting first leg, as all are well prepared and rested,” Caraës summarises.

Pietro D’Alì from Italy, returns to La Solitaire for his fourth participation, with a new sponsor “I.NOVA 3: “The boat is ok and checked. I hope I will sail well, because it’s a great race,” he said.

“My first participation was quite good - and I want to repeat that result if I can. I know it’s hard because there are so many good sailors. I will try not to think about the overall result but to race each leg as best as possible. We prepared in la Grande Motte and taking part to the Quiberon Solo and I believe now I’m ready to go.”

Francisco Lobato (Roff/Tempo-Team) from Portugal: “It has been great to have the support of the pôle d'entraînement de Port-La-Forêt to train and prepare for the Figaro races. Speaking French has really made it easier to get integrated and work with all the others,” he surmised.

“Although I have gained experience, I am still learning and must take care to not make mistakes.

“There are some good rookies, particularly Anthony Marchand (Espoir Région Bretagne). and so am going to work to do my best. The mini sailing experience will come in handy for the first leg and I see that there could possibly some options once we head down into the Gulf of Biscay.”

Jonny Malbon (Artemis) says of his second participation: “It’s quite clear that there won’t be a lot of opportunities to get some sleep on this first leg. By the look of it, it should take us four and a half days to reach Gijon in Spain.

“Even if I know it’s going to be very tough, I’m extremely positive and enthusiastic. This is the race I’ve been waiting for and I understand why so many of these guys are hooked! It’s a special event with an atmosphere of its own.”

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