Solitaire Le FIGARO

The 51^st Solitaire Le Figaro’s starting gun will be fired from the Bay of St Brieuc, on 27 August. Despite a change in the programme, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Championnat de France Elite de Course au Large 2020 has got off to a good start. The skippers are now actively taking part in training sessions and race qualifications on the Figaro BENETEAU 3, a foiling one design. They are determined to get their names high in the ranking of this well-known race – the big event of the Championship – since this is how sailing legends begin.

After the Solo Maître Coq won by Tom Laperche in Les Sables d’Olonne last June, the Solitaire Le Figaro is the second event in the championship calendar counting for 6 points. The next race to follow will take place at Le Havre from  8 to 17 October 2020: Le HAVRE ALLMER CUP, counting for 2 points.

2020 SOLITAIRE DU FIGARO SKIPPERS

35 skippers are competing in this 51st Solitaire. A range of sailors from rookies to regular podium winners, including some big names, such as Yann Eliès (Quéguiner Matériaux - Leucémie Espoir) and Armel Le Cléac’h (Banque Populaire) will take part in the race. The Solitaire Le Figaro is the only ocean race that brings together such a broad spectrum of talented sailors.  
Yann Eliès, who came 5^th in the last Vendée Globe, gives us his view of the event: 

Despite being a difficult event and the boats being highly  technical, the Solitaire du Figaro and the Vendée Globe are quite similar. In terms of adversity and learning strategy, they are identical. There are many other ways of getting to the top, but La Solitaire is an excellent all-rounder that teaches you how to perform well. 

Among the racers who have registered, is the Britisher Sam Goochild, who recently gave us an interview just after his victory on a Figaro BENETEAU 3 in the Drheam Cup 2020, Cherbourg – La Trinité.

READ THE SAM GOODCHILD INTERVIEW (Leyton)

SEE THE LIST OF SKIPPERS TAKING PART