Davies sixth in Figaro first leg

Sabina Mollart-Rogerson reports from Portsmouth

It has been a short but tough leg for the skippers competing in the 35th edition of La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro race. At the mercy of light and changeable winds, currents and tides, the skippers have had to fight nail and tooth throughout the 156-mile course.

After a 30-minute delay to the start on Tuesday, due to the light winds in the Bay of Caen, the skippers all set off on the first leg to Portsmouth under some 4 knots of breeze.

Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert), on his ninth Solitaire race, rounded the first mark of the course, the Radio France buoy, 8 miles west along the Normandy coast, leading the fleet out into the English Channel, on a heading for the southern English shores.

After a frustrating night, fighting the currents and “petole” or dead calm the skippers swapped positions. The dying winds shifted throughout the night, with poor visibility, skippers remained alert, having short catnaps whilst they attempted to make the most of the situation.

After some clever tactics, Kito de Pavant (Navy Lest) rounded Royal Sovereign Lighthouse ahead of the fleet this morning at 09h30 (French time). The valuable lead gradually slipped once the forecast breeze turned to S, SE and finally picked up to some 7 to 8 knots. Spinnakers up and tides on with the wind, saw Marc Lepesqueux (Cercle Vert) take pole position along the English shores.

Sam Davies (Skandia), in 19th position on rounding the Royal Sovereign Lighthouse gradually edged her way up the fleet, reaching fifth position at the Owers buoy mark, 19 miles from the finish.

How does it feel to be back on the Solent, and does it help knowing these waters? “Great, I have not seen England for a long time, but it is strange because I do not normally sail near these coasts," commented Sam. "The last time was when we made a Round Britain and Ireland attempt on a fast catamaran and tactics like these do not really matter. A lot of tactical decisions are dependent on meteorological situations, but I do hope it is a little bit of an advantage!

"I am feeling very good, happy with my boat Skandia… my plan is not to make too many mistakes, its nice because I made a good shift this morning, it is nice because I am back up with the leaders” she added this afternoon.

A race that is fought for on a one design boat means that the first over the line wins, Sam’s tactics are clear: “I do not want to take any risks, just get a good result, not a first yet, that will be next year, and if I am in first place when the finish comes I will take it! She added happily.

The lead was hotly contested for over the last few miles of the race. Yann Eliès (Groupe Generali) rounded the Pullar Buoy, 12 miles from the finish, in the lead, and hot on his heels was Benoît Petit (Défi Santé Voile), Jeremy Beyou (Delta Dore), Antoine Koch (nobody), Thierry Chabagny (Le Caennais Blochon – Martin), Mark Lepesqueux (Maison Pierre), Samantha Davies (Skandia) and Erwan Tabarly (Thalès) all putting their professional sailing skills to the test.

Line honours went to Yann Eliès sailing on Groupe Generali Assurances, crossing the finish at 21h13m22h, followed by Antoine Koch (nobody) and in third Jérémy Beyou (Delta Dore).

It was a nice surprise for Eliès: “It is both a true pleasure and surprise to have won this leg. It is as if I had won the Figaro… (he laughs) I am really quite taken aback as this morning things were not looking too good. I was not doing too well, I was 15th, after a night of flat seas and erratic wins. But at the moment I all is going well, it must be confidence. I hope I do not lose it. Now I must not get too confident, it is a leg win that does not mean a huge lead.”

Jean Luc-Nelias (Chauss-Europ) - first newcomer to the race and 9th in the overall results was followed by the 24 year old Australian girl, Liz Wardley (Kookai – eol) in second place and 14th in the general class.

Sam Davies finished just 2 minutes and 38 seconds behind the winner.