55 for the Solitaire

Strong line-up once again for solo offshore racing's effective world championship bout

55 competitors, 3 non-French and 15 rookies are lining up for the 40th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro. From Lorient to Dieppe via La Coruña, Spain, Saint Gilles Croix de Vie and Dingle in Ireland, the 2009 La Solitaire will be competed over 1,706 nautical miles. The 2009 line-up is unquestionably/indisputably one of the finest in the history of the race.

More than ever, tactics and determination will be essential to shake off competitors, all of them greatly talented. Sport, fine stories of sailors at sea as well as ashore... all is set to celebrate in style the 40 La Solitaire du Figaro, created in 1970 by Jean-Michel Barrault and Jean-Louis Guillemard.

Jacques Caraës, Race Director comments: “To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the 'beautiful dame' that is La Solitaire is behaving well and will take place with an exceptional line-up. Six previous winners will be racing, and obviously will present serious competition in this battle. There are many others capable of gaining a place on the podium: Gildas Morvan, recently winner of the BPE Transat, in second place last year in La Solitaire, will not let his competitors get ahead of him.

"Without a doubt, the 40th edition of La Solitaire is marked by the competitive nature its entrants. A combination of old veterans, such as Yann Eliès who has won two races in the pre-season.

"The youngest this year are highly ambitious - following relentless training in their respective training centres - they will present serious competition, without forgetting the numerous rookies eager to prove their worth. So who will win this fine anniversary of La Solitaire when potentially more than half the competitors can aspire to mounting the podium."

Among the line-up are six past winners and five Vendée Globe skippers. Firstly, Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia), triple winner of La Solitaire, is back with a single aim: to enjoy himself! Armel Le Cléac’h ( Brit Air) and Jérémie Beyou, winners of the 2003 and 2005 Solitaires respectively, are both back attempting to claim their second victories. Likewise for Nicolas Troussel ( Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne).

But they will have to reckon with Yann Eliès ( Generali) who over the past few weeks is making a comeback in with a vengeance on the Figaro circuit. He has never won the La Solitaire although he came second in 2004. Also back is Charles Caudrelier Benac ( Bostik), winner in 2004, who is having a fine start to the season. As for Eric Drouglazet ( Luisina), with 16 participations and a victory in 2001, he also cannot be discounted.

Then there are the regulars to the Figaro Bénéteau class: Gildas Morvan ( Cercle Vert) – 2nd in 2008, Frédéric Duthil ( BBox Bouygues Telecom) – 2nd in 2007, Erwan Tabarly ( Athema), Gildas Mahé ( Banque Populaire), Gérald Véniard ( Macif), Nicolas Bérenger ( Kone Elevators), Thierry Chabagny ( Suzuki Automobiles), Armel Tripon ( Gedimat) and the 'King' that cannot be dethroned: Jean-Paul Mouren (M@rseillentreprises) who will be participating in his 23rd Solitaire.

Among the younger generation are the likes of Thomas Rouxel ( Défi Mousquetaires), Nicolas Lunven ( CGPI), Ronan Treussart, François Gabart ( Espoir Région Bretagne), Adrien Hardy ( Agir Recouvrement) and others.

As for the girls, Isabelle Joschke ( Synergie) will be the only female entry. Having come from the Mini class, this will be her second Solitaire.

There is always more talent to be discovered on La Solitaire, with 15 rookies sailing their first Solitaire this year. Notably, Vendee Globe skipper Jonny Malbon ( Artemis Ocean Racing), will be sailing his first La Solitaire this summer. Then there is Fabien Delahaye ( Port de Caen Ouistreham), Mathieu Girolet, Cristophe Espagnon ( Groupe Legris Industries) and Louis Duc – all of them have excelled already in their respective classes.

The event will start with the Suzuki Prologue in Lorient on 28 July.

Schedule:

LORIENT
Village opens: Thursday 23 July
Suzuki Prologue: Tuesday 28 July
Start of the 1st leg: Thursday 30 July

LA CORUÑA (345 miles)
Expected arrival of the boats: Saturday 1 August
Start of the 2nd leg: Tuesday 4 August

SAINT GILLES CROIX DE VIE (365 miles)
Expected arrival of the boats: Friday 7 August
Start of the 3rd leg: Monday 10 August

DINGLE (485 miles)
Expected arrival of the boats: Thursday 13 August
Start of the 4th leg: Sunday 16 August

DIEPPE (511 miles)
Expected arrival of the boats: Wednesday 19 August
Closing Regatta: Saturday 22 August