New figurehead for the Figaro

Jacques Caraës takes on role as Race Director

La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro has a new Race Director in well known offshore sailor and cameraman Jacques Caraës, it has been announced by te race's organisers and the French sailing federation, the FFV. Caraës follows Christian Gout who held the post for 2005 and 2006.

For over 30 years, Jacques Caraës has been a figure in offshore sailing; competing in three round the world races, more than 20 transatlantics as well as having participated six times previously in La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro. Caraës holds joint records for both the Trophée Jules Verne and the Atlantic crossing New-York/Lizard when he sailed as part of Bruno Peyron's crew on the maxi-catamaran Orange I Iand has proven himself across many racing disciplines on both mono and multihulls.

While Caraës is well known as asailor, for six years now he has been gaining experience as a Race Director on a series of sailing events such as the Double de Brest 2000, Régate Interne Generale’s Cup-Veolia from 2003 to 2006, the corporate sailing regatta for the Trophée Morse-Arkenis from 2001 to 2005, etc.

Caraës commented: “The role of Race Director of La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro represents a new challenge for me. I have experienced La Solitaire as a competitor and now I will put my experience and my ability at the service of this test, the leading event in single-handed racing. I will face the challenge with enthusiasm and continue sailing. For me, La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro 2007 starts today”.