The Grand Départ of the 54th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec was given this Sunday at 1:02 p.m. off the coast of Ouistreham for the 32 sailors competing in the race, including ten rookies and six foreigners. After the Grand Parade, the solo sailors set off in a westerly northwesterly wind of 15 to 20 knots, gusting to 22-25 knots. Only Piers Copham (Voiles des Anges) received an individual recall for having crossed the starting line a few seconds too early. In front of their bows: a long, complex, complete and demanding leg of 610 miles between Caen (Calvados) and Kinsale (Ireland), with coastal and offshore sections.
The competitors got straight to the heart of the matter with the coastal course (Trophée Paprec) ensuring the show in the host cities. Enough to allow the general public to admire the boats under sail one last time from land and to spice up the debates by imposing a first hierarchy after about an hour of racing.
End of a great week in Caen
After a great week of festivities in Caen, which masterfully hosted the Grand Départ of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, the sailors left the Saint-Pierre basin one by one this morning between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m. in front of a crowd many to encourage them. ” It was a pleasure to be welcomed here in Caen for the Grand Départ of the race. The very large public was there and this resounding success forms a superb springboard for this new edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. Remember, this mythical event has existed for more than half a century! A longevity that has been built on fundamentals that have never changed: sporting excellence, ocean racing and the invitation to travel. The communion with the public and the media which allow us to vibrate every year on this great summer offshore racing event », Comments Joseph Bizard, Managing Director OC Sport Pen Duick.
The fleet then sailed up the Caen canal to the sea as part of the Grand Parade, which took the competitors to Ouistreham. The opportunity for the sailors, accompanied by their preparers, to take a last look at the weather with the latest files and get into their bubble a few hours before the Grand Départ of the race. On the towpath, the spectacle was worth a look for the spectators who came to greet the boats along this 14-kilometre greenway bordering waters steeped in history. Especially when crossing the Bénouville bridge. Better known as Pegasus Bridge, it was the first to be liberated in June 1944 by the Allies during the D-Day landings.
A great first step in perspective
With a course mixing coastal and offshore, varied weather conditions and a steep but eclectic plateau, this first stage of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec promises to be exciting. ” With strictly identical boats, great sailors and a very committed course, there will be play at all levels and nothing will be decided in advance. This is what makes the charm of this great race. The winner, crowned in Piriac-sur-Mer in Loire-Atlantique, Major Partner of the race, will have been the most deserving and will be able to put his name on the list of great sailors in our discipline. I wish good luck to all the sailors and every success to this 54th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec! “, adds Joseph Bizard.
Sébastien Petithuguenin, Chief Executive Officer of Paprec, adds: “ I wanted to wish fair winds to all the sailors involved. The course of the 54th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec is extremely demanding. It is made up of three major stages which pass through absolutely mythical places for offshore racing, starting with the Fastnet lighthouse. The first stage arrives in Kinsale (Ireland), a town that has marked the history of La Solitaire hard with a series of stranded boats, abandoned hopes of victory in Dingle Bay. The passage through the Isle of Man, on the second stage, is the Arlesian of La Solitaire: always announced, never carried out. We hope that the sailors will be able to go there and that the stage will also be very committed. The third stage will be that of temptation. The sailors will go as far as Spain by descending the Bay of Biscay. They might smell the earth tickling their nostrils, but they’ll have to turn around and cross the Bay of Biscay, which is a big chunk. Yann Château has concocted an absolutely brilliant course, which requires a maximum level of commitment. Paprec is proud to support the sailors who take up this challenge ».
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Registrations are still open on Virtual Regatta!
Registrations for La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec are still open on Virtual Regatta. The opportunity for all sailing fans to participate virtually in the queen race of the French Offshore Racing Championship and to compete against the best players and sailors.
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