Solitaire 2008

Less legs more miles for solo offshore racing's effective world championship next year

La Solitaire du Figaro 2008 returns to its original format: the 39th edition of the race, like the original Course de l’Aurore, it will comprise three stages, one less than normal but with even more miles and a new host stopover port. The race will cover a record 1,880 miles on a course between France and Spain and through the Irish and Celtic Seas.

This time La Rochelle will play host to the fleet for the start of La Solitaire from 19-25 of July. This will be the seventh time La Rochelle has hosted the Solitaire fleet. The excellent facilities in the harbour together with the professional nature of all nautical events hosted here, has resulted in the race organisers returning.

On 25 July the race will set off for Vigo, in Spain. The 465 mile leg is a classic Figaro course that will see the fleet cross the Bay of Biscay, round Cape Finisterre and the Cies Isles, the final course mark before the boats finish in Vigo. The Spanish stopover is always both eagerly awaited and appreciated by the competitors. Vigo hosts a Figaro race stop for the third time, the first time in 18 years.

31 July will see the boats leave for Cherbourg-Octeville, 590 miles of racing punctuated with strategic passage points: Cape Finisterre again, the Raz de Sein, the Channel Isles and finally Raz de Blanchard. The pace will be fast on this leg and thse some key passage points will require care. Cherbourg-Octeville previously hosted the 2006 start.

Then finally on 8 August, the fleet will head off on a 825 mile marathon leg to the port of L’Aber Wrac’h. The longest leg in the history of La Solitaire (762 miles was the longest this year race but was shortened due to the weather conditions) will make up two legs as for the 39th edition of the race there will be no Irish stop-over. The competitors will however be spending quite some time in this area as for the first time, they will head round the Isle of Man. It will be the first time the race reaches such Northern latitudes. What is going to be tough is knowing how to handle six days singlehanded racing, considering that Beneteau Figaro II average around 6 knots. L’Aber Wrac’h's new marina will welcome La Solitaire du Figaro for the very first time.

“Working around three legs as opposed to four for the 2008 edition of the race gives the competitors an 825-mile leg, the longest in the history of La Solitaire. Whether it is in a short coastal sprint or a long offshore marathon, all will have a chance to excel over the various stages of this race”, explains Race Director, Jacques Caraës.