Thanks to Trish Jenkins for this report from the Artemis Offshore Academy. Ed
East Cowes based, Artemis Offshore Academy’s eight British solo sailors hugged goodbye to their parents and waved to their fans as they set off on the 484 mile Leg 1 of the 2014 Solitaire du Figaro – from Deauville, France to Plymouth, UK yesterday (8 June). They will be racing over the next month in the most challenging of solo offshore races on the 2,014 nautical mile course – Solitaire du Figaro.
One of the toughest races
The race attracts the very best sailors from the world of solo offshore racing because it is one of the toughest. Most are French but this year we have the largest number of British sailors thanks to the Academy.
The race sees the very latest new crop of solo talent and past legends compete side by side on a level playing field. Many winners of this race go on to realise their dream of competing in the solo, non-stop, round the world Vendée Globe race and this is the aim of the Artemis Offshore Academy’s young Brits too.
2,014 miles over four legs
The 2014 Solitaire du Figaro covers 2,014 miles over four legs, concluding early July in Cherbourg, France. This 45th edition of the race has the biggest and strongest line up of British sailors the Solitaire has ever seen, with eight British boats on the start line and a strong British flavor to the race with seven channel crossings and a UK stop over in Plymouth.
“One of the most incredible sailing races in the world”
Ed Hill, who is competing for the second time and is racing his yacht – Macmillan Cancer Support,
“It’s so important that we’ve got such a big British contingent here. Finally we the British sailing public, have woken up and realised that this is one of the most incredible sailing races in the world.
“Going forward we need more Brits doing the race, we need more support from British companies and we need to go to a British port. It’s fantastic that Plymouth are involved with the race this year, and we just need to keep that going. Every year we need more Brits signing up to take on this race – come on, we can beat these French guys.”
Rookie sailors
For three of the ‘rookie’ or first time Academy sailors, this first leg will be the longest race they have ever done. Throw into the mix a forecast of variable winds, shut downs and thunderstorms over four days and the first leg is baptism of fire – but that’s half the fun of it.
2013 Solitaire du Figaro ‘rookie’ winner Jack Bouttell racing GAC Pindar explained:
“The Solitaire du Figaro is a physical, mental challenge – it’s got everything. All of the boats are exactly the same so there are no real excuses when you get back in. It’s you that makes the difference – not the boat and not the weather. Being part of this race alongside such a great bunch of guys and getting to experience amazing things is what makes this race so special. It’s never easy and it’s not always fun – but it is great.”
Rich Mason, the first of the Rookies to round the mark in 15th, explained his objective for the race – one shared among all three British first timers,
“The first thing I need to do is just finish… Four hundred and eighty four miles is a long way, I’ve not spent four nights at sea before and I’ve not raced the Solitaire du Figaro before, so getting to Plymouth in once piece is the first thing and if I can stay in touch with the other Rookies, then that is fantastic.”
The fleet are due into Plymouth.
