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54 skippers take on the Solitaire du Figaro 2008
The scene is set for the 39th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro: 54 competitors, 5 women and 13 rookies, 3 legs, 1880 nautical miles of racing. From La Rochelle to Vigo in Spain, passing by Cherbourg-Octeville to finish in l’Aber Wrac’h via the Isle of Man, the 2008 Solitaire fleet will be given free rein to show off their talents on a race course carefully planned by race director Jacques Caraës.
A sporting and human adventure with much to look forward to…
This year’s edition of La Solitaire has attracted numerous talented and experienced sailors as well as plenty of newcomers, all of them dreaming of winning the legendary race. Record participation numbers are expected with 54 competitors currently registered. Above all, it is the number of first timers or rookies that is exceptional, proving again the legendary status the race has maintained. With the longest leg in the history of the race (825 nautical miles) and almost 6 nights at sea, the 39th edition will have a very particular flavour.
Race director Jacques Caraës, on the exceptional line-up: “Once again we have a really impressive entry list for the 39th edition of La Solitaire and we have almost reached our limit of competitors! Thirteen rookies qualified this Spring. This edition shows that new names and new talents are continually attracted to La Solitaire”.
Veterans…
Still committed to the event, Gildas Morvan, Eric Drouglazet (winner in 2001), Nicolas Bérenger, Armel Tripon, Nicolas Troussel (winner in 2006), Gérald Véniard, Thierry Chabagny and Laurent Pellecuer will be on the lookout for a podium finish! “As for the veterans like Jean-Paul Mouren and Bertrand de Broc, they will not be phased by the length of the third leg and could even be the first ones to finish in L’Aber Wrac’h”, continues Jacques Caraës.
The 2007 edition players…
Last year’s victorious “young wolves” will race again: Nicolas Lunven, 1st rookie, Frédéric Duthil, 2nd overall, winner of the Prologue and of 2 legs, and Corentin Douguet, 3rd overall. “Without forgetting Gildas Mahé, Thomas Rouxel, Ronan Treussart and Christopher Pratt who will keep the competition on their toes,” adds the race director.
5 women on the start line…
Three more woman skippers will join Jeanne Grégoire and Liz Wardley this year; a record five woman at one time, a first in the history of the race. Grégoire and Wardley have already proved on many occasions that they are forces to be reckoned with. Their three adversaries are to be watched closely. Alexia Barrier, Isabelle Joschke and Elodie Riou combined have clocked up an impressive number of miles and each is taking part in their first Figaro this year.
Offshore rookies…
13 rookies, amongst whom we will find several offshore aficionados in the likes of Grégory Gendron, crew on the 60-foot trimaran Sopra, and Adrien Hardy and François Gabart, young talents emerging from the Mini 6.50 Class.
Passionate amateurs…
And what would La Solitaire be without the undisputable amateurs, fulfilling a dream over a summer and surpassing themselves, such as Jean-Philippe Le Meitour, Didier Bouillard, Philippe Bard and Fabrice Amedeo.
And 5 nationalities….
Besides our 49 French competitors, 6 nationalities inspired by a shared passion for sport and the sea will meet for a month: the Franco-German Isabelle Joschke, the Italian Pietro D’Ali, the British Andy Greenwood, Antonio Pedro Da Cruz from the Cape Verde Islands and Liz Wardley from Papua New-Guinea.
Competition dates
LA ROCHELLE
Suzuki Prologue: 23rdJuly
Start of the 1st leg: 25th july
VIGO
Expected finish of 1st leg: 28th July Start of the 2nd leg: 31st July
CHERBOURG-OCTEVILLE
Expected finish of the 2nd leg: 4th August
Start of the 3rd leg: 8th August
L'ABER-WRAC'H
Expected finish of the 4th leg: 14th August
Closing parade: 17th August
54 solo sailors will start the first leg on 25thJuly in La Rochelle – all with a shared aim: to add their name to the list of famous winners of Lla Solitaire. With two sprint legs and a record 825 nautical mile leg, the game is on more than ever. May the best win.
