Girlpower

Sam Davies reports on an action-packed third leg of La Solitaire Afflelou le Figaro

Now we are in Dingle after a nail-biting finish for everyone at the end of leg 3 of La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro.

I’m sorry I never had the time to write after Leg 2 because the stop-over in St Gilles was SO short, due to the excruciatingly windless conditions that we had on our way up from Spain. As you saw, that leg was really hard for me, as I was in a great position and saw everyone sail away from me while I was trapped in a hole of no wind. So horrible that I actually cried when I realised how much I was losing with nothing I could do. (I don’t normally cry!)

Anyway, I regained a bit of credibility by climbing back up to 28th place at the finish (at one point I was 35th - horror!) and on reflection I really believe that I was unlucky and there was nothing I could have done to change that result.

So, I needed a good result in leg three. I was determined! The conditions were tough - upwind in windy weather - which is physically demanding as we have to do sail changes, and live in a cold, wet, pitching, slamming little boat heeled over at 30 degrees for four days!

Again, as seems normal in this race, the wind did not do what I was expecting, and the descision I made was not the best. I am a bit 'out of tune' with the wind which is rather unusual.

Anyway, on the approach to the Irish coast (just off the Fastnet Rock) I found myself behind the lead pack, but still in touch, and with some good guys around me ( Groupe Bel, Pixmania, Scutum…..) I knew that the approach to Dingle is very fickle with the coast not a good one for sea breeze, and high cliffs that steal the wind from below them. I had already decided that I would approach Dingle Bay from offshore, to stay away from the coast.

As the leaders tacked in towards Dingle Bay, I stayed on starboard tack to head offshore. A few boats came with me (they thanked me afterwards because they said they were not brave enough to make the move I made if they had been alone, so they had followed me!) I remember Marc Thiercelin making a huge gain three years ago when we came to Dingle!

So, slowly our little group of boats ghosted along offshore, and the leaders, stuck in no wind inshore, were forced to anchor to stop them drifting backwards against the tide! We overtook everyone and on entering the bay I was second, just behind Corentin Douget. BRILLIANT!

Then, Dingle Bay also proved to be a big challe$nge. The wind came in from behind, bringing everyone with it! So it was a struggle in fickle winds to get to the finish. Just before the line the wind died completely and I could see the nav lights of about 35 boats just behind us. It was really a question of who touched the new wind first!

In the end I finished 12th. Just a few minutes behind the leader, Gerald Veniard ( Scutum) and I was pleased with the result.

I have to say one thing. Jeanne [Gregoire] deserved to win ( Banque Populaire). She sailed a flawless race in the lead virtually from start to finish. She was one who was stuck inshore as we sailed past. She managed to climb back to sixth place, but she deserved much more - well, she deserved the victory. Liz too ( Sojasun) who bravely took a westerly option and was in second place on approach to Ireland. Go the girls!!!

So, we all finished in the top 12! Jeanne 6, Liz 9 and me 12! Cool eh?!