Figaro

The highly innovative Figaro Bénéteau 1 was launched by BENETEAU in 1990 for the Solitaire Le Figaro single-handed race, in collaboration with Groupe Finot, and it blazed a trail for a whole generation of sailors: Yves Parlier, Michel Desjoyeaux, Jean Le Cam, Philippe Poupon, Franck Cammas, Kito de Pavant, etc. 
The Figaro was the first production boat with ballasts that was designed from the start with offshore racing in mind and its performances had a huge impact, whatever the weather at sea. With a 9.14-metre (30 ft) GRP hull and a fixed keel, it was a real treat for sailors keen on racing and, with great panache, it met all the challenges of the 1,500 to 2,000 miles of the Solitare single-handed race.  

2019 saw a new development with the launch of the first production one design with foils – the Figaro BENETEAU 3 designed with the architects Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost (VPLP). Since every detail counts in racing, everything is designed to improve stability, speed and accuracy under sail. It has a foam sandwich, fibreglass and GRP hull free of ballast and performing event better, a deep draught keel with a straight sail for minimum drag, its mast is positioned further aft, and its sail area is increased. The Figaro Bénéteau 3 offers a distillation of technology and excellence that improves speeds and provides a wide choice of navigation options during a race, and, of course, the suspense at sea lasts longer.     
 

In preparation for the 50th Solitaire du Figaro in 2019, BENETEAU delivered fifty or so Figaro Bénéteau 3 yachts inside a month to as many eager skippers, so that each contender would receive their boat at the same time to ensure there were no disadvantages in relation to the other contenders. This done, they were each able to familiarise themselves with their one design and begin training.