Leg three underway

Solitaire du Figaro fleet head for Spain

At 14h25 (French Time) the gun was fired, for the start of the third leg of La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro race, by the president of Bénéteau, Madame Annette Roux. Gilles Sabin, president of the race committee gave the go-ahead after an initial general re-call was issued at 14h08.

The 52 skippers taking part in the 35th edition of the race started under an ideal 10 knots of westerly breeze, flat seas and bright sunshine.

With the tide turning, the skippers had some 6.5 knots of boat speed for the start. A short 6-mile inshore course was set for all prior to the run up to the first mark at the Radio France Buoy.

2002 Solitaire du Figaro winner, Kito de Pavant on Navy Lest was the first skipper to round the mark. He was followed by Charles Caudrelier on Bostik Findley who came third in the last leg, and the 2001 Solitaire winner Eric Drouglazet on Crédit Maritime Zeretwo.

Samantha Davies on Skandia, the only British sailor competing rounded in 28th place. Sam appears to excel under pressure, rounding in 28th will ensure she works her way up the fleet. On the first leg she rounded the Royal Sovereign Tower Lighthouse in 19th place, yet managed to climb up to finish an astounding 6th overall.

The fleet now head up on a 73-mile run to the Birvideaux Lighthouse before heading South West to the Burela mark on the North Western tip of Spain.