Figaro in 2009

A look at what's happening in the French solo offshore one design class

A meeting of the Figaro Bénéteau class took place during Paris Boat Show in December. Chaired by Henry Graveleau, reports from 2008 were presented.

At this meeting the respective terms on the committee were up for Jeanne Grégoire, Christopher Pratt and Nicolas Troussel and three new members were elected to the executive office.

The executive committee for the Figaro Class now comprises:
- Henry Graveleau, President
- Didier Bouillard, Race Commission
- Nicolas Bérenger, Measurement/One design Commission
- Corentin Douguet, Security Commission
- Jean Paul Mouren, Treasurer/Environment
- Yannig Livory, Communication Commission

A first meeting of this new executive took place in Nantes on Wednesday 7 January in order to prepare the 2009 season.

In this financial crisis time, the race to find sponsorship is in full swing while all the teams are also in the boatyard checking and preparing their boats prior to the departure of the first event of the season, the Transat BPE.

The French Championship of Solo Offshore Racing in 2009 is based three events:

The Transat BPE Bell Ile en Mer - Marie Galante will be the first race of the Championship. The start of this solo transat race is on 4 April after a prologue between Concarneau and Belle Ile.

Shortly after the boats are unloaded off the cargo ship having returned from from Marie Galante (in the Caribbean), the Figaro Bénéteau 2 fleet will gather in the Bay of Quiberon from 14-20 June for a week of tactical inshore races.

Last but not least, there is the Solitaire du Figaro backed by Suzuki which will see about 50 skippers eager to take over from defending champion Nicolas Troussel. Without doubt this 40th edition of the Solitaire taking place in four legs between France, Spain and Ireland will be the battleground of highly competitive sailing from the very beginning on 30 July in Lorient up to the end in Dieppe where the name of the 2009 French Champion will be revealed.