organised by :
2005
Perros-Guirec - Getxo-Bilbao - La Rochelle - Cork-Crosshaven - Port Bourgenay Talmont Saint Hilaire - 1462 nm
1st Leg – Perros-Guirec to Getxo-Bilbao (390 miles)
A clean and fast start to the race for all. There is a downwind spinnaker crossing of the Bay of Biscay and then fight to the finish among the great and experienced of La Solitaire. 8 knots of top average speed on a race that is won by Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert). Cercle Vert finishes 1 minute and 47 seconds ahead of the Jérémie who finishes 2nd. Gildas Morvan sets the pace and ensures his place as a serious contender for the remaining 3 legs.
2nd Leg – Getxo-Bilbao to La Rochelle (368 miles)
The leg goes to the Italian rookie sailor Pietro D’Ali on Nanni Diesel, a triumphant win in La Rochelle. The high pressure ridge to negotiate in the Bay of Biscay becomes the dangerous trap in which Jérémie gets caught, forces him to fight it out on the last arduous run to the finish line, to keep the time difference to a minimum. He finishes 10th and 27 minutes and 5 seconds behind the leader. Now he finds himself in 4th place in the overall provisory rankings with a 17 minute and 25 second deficit over the new leader, Pietro D’Alí.
3rd Leg – La Rochelle – Cork (456 miles)
It is a long and arduous leg upwind with rough seas to Ireland. Jérémie leads the fleet for the fist 24 hours on a path to victory only to see it snatched away. A 5th place finish with a 26 minute and 20 second time difference on the first. However, due to his consistency and perseverance he remains only 10 minutes and 32 seconds behind a new overall leader, Laurent Pellecuer (Cliptol Sport).
4th Leg – Cork to Port Bourgenay (428 miles)
We know the outcome…Jérémie, on this leg, that will forever be remembered by the Figaro sailors for the tough conditions endured, makes history and become the newly crowned winner of La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro for 2005. A worthy winner at 29, Jérémie Beyou is welcomed by thousands of visitors who turn to welcome the new hero of La Solitaire.
1/ Jérémie Beyou - 2/ Michel Desjoyeaux - 3/ Kito de Pavant (46 starters, 43 ranked)
