The town of Le Havre will host the start La Solitaire du Figaro for the very first time. The Higher Normandy harbour is accustomed to hosting the start of important long races and will not doubt put on a magnificent event for the classic summer race. “Start town of the Transat Jacques Vabre since 1993, Le Havre has a great tradition for welcoming sailing events: French sailing championships, legs of the Figaro circuit, Tour de France à la Voile, windsurfing competitions... In July 2010, Le Havre will be the start town of La Solitaire for its 41st edition: we are very proud to welcome this event in accordance with our policy of developing nautical activities. Once again, we will do everything in our power to be up to the standard of the event!” explains Antoine Rufenacht, the Mayor of Le Havre and President of the Le Havre metropolitan area. This summer, the citizens of Le Havre will honour the single-handed sailors with a festive and convivial atmosphere prior to the skippers demonstrating their sailing talents during the race.

The town of Brest in the Brittany Region will receive the intermediary stop over halfway through the course of La Solitaire du Figaro. “It is with great pleasure that Brittany will welcome, once again, in 2010, the competitors of La Solitaire du Figaro. Following the warm and friendly finish in l’Aber Wrac’h in 2008 and the flamboyant start from Lorient this year, I am thrilled to see Brest amongst the stop-over’s of the 41st edition. Brittany nautical and cruising hotspot, the town of Ponant today embodies the best qualities that high level sailing can expect in Brittany: a magnificent harbour before taking to the ocean, quality nautical infrastructures, with on one hand the Moulin Blanc and its 1,460 rings, and on another hand the brand new Port du Château directly linking the town to the racing area. Add to this the good humour and passion for the sea of the citizens of Brest, all the requirements are there, I am sure, to offer the single-handed sailors a successful stop-over” specifies Jean-Yves Le Drian, President of the Brittany Regional Council.

It will be the 10th time that the town of Brest welcomes a leg of the race. The last time was in 2007, with Michel Desjoyeaux proclaimed winner on the pontoons of Port Blanc. Moreover, it was from Brest that the first two editions of La Solitaire, then Course de l’Aurore, were launched in 1970 and 1971. “Brest proudly welcomes La Solitaire du Figaro, confirming its calling as first nautical harbour in Brittany” specifies François Cuillandre, Mayor of Brest and President of Brest Métropole Océane.

Finally, to close the edition, the fleet shall return up the English Channel to cross the finish line in Cherbourg-Octeville. Well known by the competitors of La Solitaire for having been a stop-over port on many occasions, it is the 7th time, of which three times it was the finish town, that La Solitaire visits the Normandy harbour. “La Solitaire du Figaro is a well-anchored event in Cherbourg-Octeville, privileged partner of the race since 1991. As at each of the stop-overs, the entire Cotentin will be mobilised to offer the single-handed sailors a pleasant welcome” underlines Bernard Cazeneuve, Deputy-mayor of Cherbourg-Octeville and President of the urban community. “Our harbour remains one of the meeting points par excellence for the sailors, amateurs or professionals that are scattered over the Normandy coast. The arrival of the 2010 edition in our region is further evidence”. With a marine spirit and warm atmosphere, the stop-over’s at Cherbourg are always much awaited by skippers.

Le Havre, Brest and Cherbourg-Octeville: three towns, three marinas, all motivated by the values of offshore racing. They will have the honour of welcoming the sailors of the 41st edition. Come along on Friday the 4th of December at 12:00 at the Paris boat show (Scène nautique-hall 1) to find out the full course of La Solitaire du Figaro 2010.