2013 Solitaire du Figaro route announced

France's sixth largest city to host the start for the first time

The route for next year's 44th Solitaire du Figaro-Eric Bompard Cashemire has been part-announced at Paris Boat Show.

The organisers, Pen Duick, unveiled a course including in three French cities, two of whch have never previously been associated with the Figaro class' premier event.

Once again divided into four leg, La Solitaire in 2013 will start on 2 June from Bordeaux, the first time the city has hosted the race. The fleet will descend on the port up the Gironde River on 24 May where the population of France's sixth largest city will be able to take part in the 10 day long build-up to the start. On 1 June, the competitors leave Bordeaux's Port de la Lune and will take part in a parade of sail up the Gironde visiting Pauillac where the start will take place the following day.

Two legs will follow visiting Spain and Portugal before the race returns to France with the final leg running along the Channel from Roscoff on the northeast coast of Finistere. The rock-strewn Bay of Morlaix with its strong currents is very familiar to the majority of Figaro sailors and some of the greatest names in the class come from this area such as Nicolas Troussel.

The finish of next year's Solitaire du Figaro, on 26 June, will be further up the Channel in the Normandy port of Dieppe, which hosted the race for its 2009 and 2011 editions.