LEG DESCRIPTION
Here is the route of the 1st leg of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. It was developed by the race organizer OC SPORT PEN DUICK and the race management.
After spending a week in Rouen, which will be hosting La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec for the first time in the race's history, the competitors will sail down the Seine to Le Havre on Friday 23rd of August. There, they will wait until the starting gun is fired in the bay of the Seine on August the 25th.
The solo sailors will then get down to the heart of the matter very quickly, with an inshore course and the start of a leg which will require them to be on their guard at all times. ‘The first leg will very quickly become an offshore affair, with a slightly complicated start to the course. The exit from the bay of the Seine and the passage around the tip of La Hague are bound to be a little technical because of the management of the currents and the passage of the Raz de Barfleur. They will also have to deal with the fairly heavy traffic in the English Channel. The time will then come to make the first tactical choices in search of the Wolf Rock lighthouse. After the mark located to the west of English Cornwall, they will move on to a very offshore section with a long tack of around 400 miles to reach Gijón, which will be hosting the race for the 14th time.The competitors will cross the Bay of Biscay, where they could encounter a small low-pressure area or a ridge of high pressure.
The arrival in Gijón, where the competitors are expected on 29 August, could be fairly calm due to the presence of the Cantabrian Mountains.
CROSSING POINTS
Pointe de La Hague
Famous for its sheer cliffs and rugged beauty, the Pointe de la Hague is a landmark on the Normandy coast. This passage is bound to be a little technical for our skippers, due to the management of the currents and the passage of the Raz de Barfleur.
Wolf Rock Lighthouse
The Wolf Rock lighthouse, erected in 1869 on its inhospitable islet off the coast of Cornwall, is a symbol of safety and perseverance for sailors. For over 150 years, its faithful light has shone through the dark nights, protecting ships from the dangers of these stormy waters.
Bay of Biscay
The Bay of Biscay, a vast expanse of water between the west coast of France and the north of Spain, is home to an exceptional wealth of marine life. Known for its sudden storms and powerful currents, this nourishing sea has provided a formidable playground for sailors and a fascinating biodiversity for scientists for centuries.