Decisive victory for Troussel

Nicolas Troussel wins the Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro's second leg by more than two hours

Nicolas Troussel ( Financo) crossed the finish line of the second leg of the Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro from Santander to Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie at 05h37m35s this morning after 62 hours 18 minutes and 35 seconds of sailing at average speed of 5.04 knots. The 314 mile course for the 42 Figaro sailors consisted for the most part of a vast calm area in the Bay of Biscay but by taking a westerly route proved a winning move for two sailors who chose to break from the pack. Nicolas Troussel is not going to forget this day - he has not only won the second leg of La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro, but has jumped it into the lead overall on cumulative time by a massive margin.

Troussel is a sailor highly regarded by fellow competitors, quiet and unassuming, he is best known for his recent exploits winning the Transat BPE with his race partner and former Solitaire winner Armel Le Cléac’h. This is the sixth time he is taking part in the Solitaire and the first time he has won a leg on what is considered to be the toughest event on the Figaro circuit.

Financo arrived into the small Vendee harbour of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie to a rapturous welcoming crowd. Local residents, supporters and a mass of flashing cameras greeted the sailor on the pontoons for what will go down in the history of the Figaro as one of the most remarkable leg wins, a race won by choosing an option that that has paid off beyond any Figaro’s sailors wildest dreams.

Thierry Chabagny ( Littoral) crossed the finish line in second place at 07h52m42s after 64 hours, 33 minutes and 42 seconds of racing. The time difference with the winner is 2 hours, 15 minutes and 7 seconds.

A happy and tired Troussel, commented upon his arrival, “I must say I am surprised and feeling a little like I did when I arrived into St Barts when we won. It really is quite something to come in so far ahead of the others, we all know each other well, train together all winter and they are all quite a long way behind. Choosing an eastern option together with Thierry Chabagny ( Littoral), when all the fleet went east, was quite a gamble. “I was surprised by Thierry Chabagny’s choice to go west, its not his syle to go off! It was also quite reassuring to see him there later. The Figaro always goes to the wire. For me the risk paid off!

Troussel continued: "I am pleased for my sponsor Financo and for all those who I have trained and worked with all winter who believed in me. This victory is dedicated to them. Winning a leg of La Solitaire is like a dream coming true. It is hard work that has paid off, as we say at the training centre in Port-la-Forêt, to win you have to eat Figaro, think Figaro, live Figaro, which you can only do with a professional approach and the backing of a good sponsor. In any case, I had a wonderful time. It is great to round the marks ahead of everyone and to finish knowing that the others have some time at sea to go. It was long at the end though when the wind dropped.

Troussel says his plan to go west had been premeditated to some extent: "I had really looked at the forecasts before the start and planned to try and be as far west of the others, but did not have any of the position reports on the first day and did not know where they were so just went ahead alone on my course. I did cross Thierry Chabagny on the first night and then we lost sight of each other. I am happy for him too. I am surprised that everyone chose to go east, that there were not more of us to try this option. I could see that there could be something out west and it’s what happened. At the same time, the advantage of being alone is that you no not have keep a watch and control the others. I could do as I felt.

"You always have doubts in sailing because if you make a mistake when choosing your option you find yourself miles behind. The fact that Thierry Chabagny was there too reassured me a bit and then as I could not pick up the VHF chat sessions, I did not really know where the others were. Not having to sail against the others and just did my own race. The wind was not stable, with one little wind shift the whole thing could have turned out very differently. Luckily I managed to keep up the speed and do some good tacks not easing up or letting anything go. I managed to get some good sleep on the second night, but am tired all the same. I must go and get some sleep!

"It does make me think about Philippe Vicariot in 1995 (who had a 1 hour advantage only to be beaten by Philippe Poupon by a fraction at the finish). We are half way through the race, we have a good lead, that is true, but I will say it again, it is not over."

This win now puts Troussel into an excellent position to win this year's race overall now he holds what in Figaro terms is considered a substantial lead. "Thierry Chabagny is not far behind and I have not really calculated against the others; I will check that tomorrow when it is light. I have been told that I have a huge advantage over the third boat…For sure I am going to be further motivated and concentrated to maintain this advantage. Let’s make the most of enjoying this leg win and then we can see. As you know, we all come here to win and this race is not over yet. We have had two legs with big time differences…It will be in Concarneau that we will do the calculations."