Inauguration of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec village in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue

The village for the 56th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec was officially inaugurated today in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. Located in the heart of the port, it will be open from Wednesday, September 24 to Saturday, September 27 and will offer numerous free activities open to all, allowing the general public to discover the maritime world and the local stakeholders involved in the race.

The inauguration ceremony, punctuated by a parade and a traditional ribbon cutting, took place in the presence of Christèle Castelein, President of the Cotentin Agglomeration, Gilbert Doucet, Mayor of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, Régis Faour, Director of Communication and Events – Paprec, Julie Coutts, General Director of OC Sport Pen Duick, as well as Aline Louisy-Louis, Vice-President of the Normandy Region in charge of sports and youth.

© OC Sport Pen Duick

For four days, the public will be able to discover a wide range of educational, fun, and sporting activities. The most curious will learn more about waste sorting and the lifespan of materials with the Sorting Ambassador, while the Friends of Île de Large will offer a photo exhibition and the presentation of models of the islands. Boating enthusiasts will have the opportunity to explore how a foil works thanks to the CNPS, to understand the role of a furler and a winch with Facnor, or to dive into the invisible world of plankton thanks to the SPL Port de la Manche.

Awareness-raising sessions will also be offered: the SNSM will have a stand on maritime risk prevention, the CPIE du Cotentin will host workshops on the tide line, and the Association of Recreational Fishermen of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue will invite the public to try out a fishing simulator while discovering a guide to best practices. The more adventurous will even be able to try diving during introductory sessions organized on site.

©OC Sport Pen Duick

A highlight of this stopover, Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue has the honor of hosting the grand finish of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. The skippers are expected during the night from Thursday to Friday for the end of the third and final leg. Two highlights will then punctuate the village: the prize-giving ceremony for leg 3 on Friday at 5 p.m., then the eagerly awaited general classification prize-giving ceremony on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. on the village stage, which will crown the winner of this 56th edition.

Finally, the village will also be a place of conviviality and celebration, with a concert by JJ and Co, to share together the unique atmosphere of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec.

This inauguration once again illustrates the pride and importance for Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue to host the grand finish of this legendary race, a symbol of sporting excellence and maritime passion.

©OC Sport Pen Duick

They said:

Christèle Castelein, President of the Cotentin Urban Community: " 11 years after its last visit to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec is making its grand return to the Cotentin, this time with a new finish city. A source of pride for our region, but also an opportunity to offer residents a truly popular seaside celebration. A place on the top step of the podium for our local skipper, Alexis Loison on Groupe REEL, would be a perfect conclusion to this competition of excellence! "

Gilbert Doucet, Mayor of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue: " The history and development of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue have always been linked to maritime history and traditions. The creation of the CNH nautical club, the marina in 1982 and the numerous activities of the Club Nautique de l'Est Cotentin today are far from exhaustive illustrations of this. Hosting the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec in the port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue is today a source of great pride for the town, which is a continuation of this close link it maintains with the sea and all activities related to maritime affairs. "

Julie Coutts, Managing Director of OC Sport Pen Duick: "It is a great joy to celebrate the grand arrival of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. This stage marks the culmination of several weeks of intense effort for the sailors, true athletes of the sea. Beyond the sporting performance, it is also a popular celebration that brings together locals, sailing enthusiasts and visitors around the skippers and the magic of this legendary race."

Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region: "The Normandy Region is proud to support this new edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, which brings together the biggest names in the discipline and showcases our region with an exceptional route from Rouen to Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. I wish the Figaro sailors good luck for the final days of the race, which promise to be intense!"