Adios y buena fortuna

thomashowson2
Sep 21
4 min read

It was with their bodies still aching and their minds barely more rested that the sailors of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec set off from Vigo this Sunday, September 21st at 5:13 p.m. - after a general recall and then an individual recall for Hugo Cardon (Sarth'Atlantique). After completing a coastal course, positioned a short distance from the Spanish port, the skippers set sail for the final leg of this 56th edition of the race. Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean) won the Paprec Trophy, marking the end of this coastal course. Heading north along the coast to aim for Cape Finisterre before setting off on a long crossing towards the Chaussée de Sein at the tip of Brittany.

At 5:13 p.m. off the port of Vigo (Spain), the skippers of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec set off on a coastal course of around 7 miles, after a general recall and then an individual recall for Hugo Cardon (Sarth'Atlantique). A warm-up that allowed the sailors and spectators to enjoy the last moments of this express stopover. With barely 48 hours of rest, everyone is still marked by the fatigue accumulated by more than 1,200 miles of racing since the start in Rouen. On a magnificent stretch of water, pushed by a wind of around ten knots that strengthened throughout the afternoon, the skippers were quickly able to complete this coastal course and move away from the numerous support boats to reach the open sea.

Single-handed mode is back in full swing, the sailors are already in the thick of things with, as soon as they leave the Ria de Vigo, a 20-knot northerly wind that is expected to strengthen over the hours. Obviously, with this front, the sea is at the height of the area, with waves of nearly 3 meters expected offshore. However, the sailors have a more manageable corridor located just along the coast. What will the options be? Head northwest and find themselves directly in the rough or tack in this corridor, about ten miles wide, all the way to Cape Finisterre.

It is certain that everyone wants to shine for this last stage towards Normandy and Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue but the bodies will once again be put to the test in these conditions.

Yann Chateau, race director of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec: "We started with a magnificent course in the Ria de Vigo in conditions that have started to settle in nicely. After passing the Paprec buoy, the sailors will embark on a first leg along the Iberian Peninsula to reach Cape Finisterre with a northerly wind and seas that will show increasing intensity. The first 24 hours will be difficult and invigorating. The rest will follow this pattern until the Chaussée de Sein, which marks the intermediate sprint. Several options are already emerging. We risk finding ourselves again in the Bay of Biscay and we will know the results of these different options, if they are taken, when we get closer to the Iroise Sea. The first teams were due to arrive at the tip of Brittany on Wednesday morning."

Hugo Cardon (Sarth'Atlantique): "It's pretty cool because there seems to be some wind in the Bay of Vigo, so it looks good for the start. On the way back, the conditions should be tough, I particularly like these conditions, it's going to be tactical, playing on the coast but not too much either because when the wind turns there could be some winds. There's going to be some play in this first part of the race and then a Bay of Biscay that's not so easy to manage either. We'll have to be fresh for the finish, from the Occidentale de Sein with a lot of play in the current and the stones and that's what we're all a little afraid of! I don't think I'm one of the most tired, even if I'm not as fresh as I was at the start, that's for sure, but I'm happy with the way I arrived in Vigo!"

Jules Ducelier (Région Normandie): "I feel good, tired, but that's the case for everyone. We've had little recovery time after two long legs and very little time to prepare to manage, for example, the weather. I'm still setting off confident because I know we'll have the opportunity to sleep during the climb back up the gulf. The goal upon arrival in Normandy is to have a good sail, to be happy with myself, and to also challenge the boats in front with whom there aren't many gaps, at least not enough to be in contention for a podium finish. So I'm going to focus on that."

Thomas De Dinechin (Almond for Pure Ocean): "We had time to rest a little, it was a bit short but it'll be okay, we had two good nights and then there's only one more leg! We didn't have much time to enjoy the city, it's a bit of a shame. So far La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec is going well, so I'm going to try not to change formula and stick to a lot of fun at sea. The weather pattern is pretty clear all the way to Brittany so it should stay very close together, we'll have to arrive nice and cool in the Channel where it will redistribute. It should be less complicated than what we experienced on the first two legs!"

Yvon Larnicol (Auray - Quiberon by Orlabay): "I feel good, rested, I can't wait to get going, to do this last stage which is going to be long and all upwind. There are going to be crucial moments, so I'll have to choose carefully when to rest, when to accelerate. The further ahead you are at the start, the better, so I'll have to be good from the start, better than the others. Discovering, having fun and playing for the ranking if I see that I'm doing well, these are the objectives of why I'm here."

Tiphaine Ragueneau (ORCOM): “It was a short stopover and I'm not rested enough for my liking, but we have to go back and we're always happy to get back out to sea, tired but eager to get going on this last leg. I definitely feel more comfortable than on the first legs because we had quite a few conditions, I was able to gain confidence in the boat. I'm still a little stressed with the desire to do well and a mixture of excitement to set off!”