Malbon enters the Figaro

Artemis II skipper to compete in this year's Solitaire as the skipper of the Open 60 is to be decided

Artemis Ocean Racing today confirmed that British skipper Jonny Malbon will compete in the 1706 mile long Solitaire du Figaro. The event has been the launch pad for the careers of some of the greatest talents in the sport over the last 40 years and Malbon will be racing in the ‘Rookie’ (first-timers) division, while at the same time lining up against previous Solitaire winners such as double Vendée Globe winner Michel Desjoyeaux and Armel Le Cléac’h.

Speaking from his current training base in Lorient (France), Malbon commented: “Although I have done a lot of miles on IMOCA 60s, my competitive solo racing experience remains limited. I now have an opportunity to go back to school as it were, and learn some of the techniques and skills that are only available through the kind of close racing found on the Figaro circuit.

“If you look at the background of the top sailors who participated in the Vendée Globe, you will see the Figaro on many of their résumés. I know it will be hugely competitive, but I also know it will help me progress up the learning curve.”

Malbon has been training these past few weeks, coached by experienced French sailor Tanguy Leglatin, who commented: “We have been focusing on learning the different gestures and the techniques specific to the Figaro. Jonny is very hardworking and passionate which means that he is learning quickly. Sailing on a Figaro means that you have to be extremely meticulous on every small things: manoeuvres, speed, automatic pilot and the sailing course.”

The circuit runs from 28 July to 22 August, with the fleet of 71 (pre-registered) entries racing over four legs between France, Spain and Ireland. Malbon, one of 20 rookies taking on the challenge for the first time, will look to qualify for the competition at the end of May. The British skipper is one of only four international sailors taking on a field of experienced French competitors, including five previous winners. “You hear so much about how tough and competitive the Solitaire du Figaro is. You are constantly surrounded by competitors, as the racing is very, very close; you can only afford to sleep for 10-20 minutes at a time - it takes sleep deprivation to a whole another level. Hand-steering as opposed to relying on your auto pilot and perhaps the hardest thing is having confidence in yourself and the choices you make. I have no illusions about how hard this is going to be”

Malbon has been pursuing his Figaro training campaign alongside helping to get the IMOCA 60 Artemis Ocean Racing II back on the water, recently taking part in the Grand Petite Navire event in Douarnanez and is now into some intensive two boat testing out of Concarneau, France, prior to a post-Vendée Globe refit.

Artemis have teamed up with fellow OC racing team stable mate Sébastien Josse’s BT. Mark Turner, CEO of OC Group, which includes the Offshore Challenges division, now managing the project, explains the decision timeline: “We intend to announce the 2009 racing programme for Artemis Ocean Racing II after the two-boat testing period later this month - the race programme for 2009 is somewhat dependent upon the work we undertake following the results of the boat testing. However it will certainly conclude with the doublehanded Transat Jacques Vabre from Le Havre to Costa Rica in November. That predominantly downwind light airs race isn’t a particularly favourable course weatherwise for the wide and power dependent Artemis design, but it is an excellent goal for the team to work to, and see how far up the performance curve we can take the team and the boat in this short season.”

Artemis Ocean Racing aims to promote British short-handed offshore racing talent, and will be providing opportunity to more than one sailor to pass through its ranks. As well as being fully occupied with the Figaro challenge, Malbon remains on a shortlist of British skippers for the Transat Jacque Vabre 2009. The first part of that two-up team will be announced early June, and the second slot by the end of July at the latest.

Artemis Ocean Racing I, skippered by Simon Clay, in addition to a number of charity supporting events, will carry the vital workload of corporate hospitality throughout the summer, a successful part of the return on investment for the title sponsor Artemis. This will also allow Artemis Ocean Racing II to focus on the performance objectives. In excellent condition, the older of the two boats is also very much for sale – a perfect steed for a new entrant in to the IMOCA ocean racing scene.