20 so far for La Solitaire

Alain Gautier back plus the race's first Turkish entry

With four months to the start of the La Solitaire du Figaro – Eric Bompard Cachemire, 20 Figaro skippers have so far signed up to the 2,185 mile, month long solo offshore race.

Kicking off on 31 May, as many as 45 solo skippers and their 33ft Figaro Bénéteau IIs are expected to race from Bordeaux to Sanxenxo (Spain) and then on to Concarneau, Torbay to the final finish line in Dieppe in July. Widely known as the unofficial world championships of solo offshore racing and as a training ground for the Vendée Globe, the annual Solitaire du Figaro is a race with a range of entrants from offshore rock stars looking to hone their skills, to the determined ‘Bizuth’ first timers. The entries so far in this year's race is already evidence of the Solitaire’s appeal, ranging from race champions and Vendée Globe winners, to talented regulars chipping away at the top 10, rank outsiders and ambitious rookies.

Double, triple or quadruple?

Triple Solitaire du Figaro winner Jérémie Beyou (Maître Coq) (2005, 2011, 2014) returns to the race in 2015, not only to defend his title, but also with an aim to become the first skipper to win La Solitaire four times. Winner of the race in 2012 and 2013, race favourite Yann Elies (Groupe Queguiner-Leucémie Espoir) was gunning for a hat trick in 2014, but it wasn’t to be: Dismasted in strong winds rounding Wolf Rock, Elies was cruelly put out of the running for the top spot on Leg 1. Elies is back to claim his long overdue triple crown. Another former race winner (1989), offshore legend Alain Gautier (Generali) made his return to the Figaro in 2014 and is the only Vendée Globe winner yet to register for this year's event.

Familiar faces

Separating the race favourites and rookies is a group of talented competitors who return every year, edging ever closer to the top spots. Until 2012 Yann Elies was consigned to this group, taking him 13 Solitaire du Figaro attempts to achieve his dream and stand on top of the podium. Boasting multiple leg wins and impressive overall results, these familiar names and faces are never far away from lead and include Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert), Thierry Chabagny (Gedimat), Adrien Hardy (AGIR Recouvrement) and Corentin Douguet, along with last year’s race runner-up Corentin Horeau (Bretagne-Crédit Mutuel Performance).

The underdogs

Armed with an abundance of talent and determination – the Solitaire du Figaro underdogs are not to be underestimated. 24 year old British skipper Henry Bomby now on his fourth Solitaire, 2014 Rookie favourite Sébastien Simon (Bretagne-Crédit Mutuel Espoir), Vincent Barnes (Guyot Environnement), Laurent Pellecuer and winner of the Transat AG2R and top Rookie in 2014 Gwénolé Gahinet (Safran-Guy Cotten) are in this category – the next generation of winners. Meanwhile female entries include Isabelle Joschke (Generali-Horizon Mixité) and Claire Pruvot (Port de Caen-Ouistreham) – both very capable sailors.

The rookies

Finally, the Solitaire du Figaro would not be what it is without the ‘Bizuth’ division. Making their debut on the Class Figaro circuit in 2015, are five Frenchmen - Marc Pouydebat, Martin Le Pape (Ovimpex-Secours Populaire) Benjamin Dutreux (Team Vendée) and Benoît Mariette are joined by the first ever Turkish entrant, Tolga Pamir (Un jour un home un arbre) who has moved from the Mini to the Figaro class. Also joining the fleet but not yet on the list, the Artemis Offshore Academy will field as many as three of its talented UK sailors to the Rookie fleet. This year British Rookies Rob Bunce, Andrew Baker and Robin Elsey are out to earn themselves a place on the start line.

Skippers registered as of 31st January 2015

1. Marc Pouydebat/TBC/FRA/Rookie
2. Yann Elies/ Groupe Queguiner-Leucémie Espoir)/FRA
3. Jérémie Beyou/Maître Coq/FRA
4. Benjamin Dutreux/Team Vendée/FRA/Rookie
5. Gildas Morvan/Cercle Vert/FRA
6. Corentin Horeau/Bretagne Crédit Mutuel Performance/FRA
7. Sébastien Simon/Bretagne Crédit Mutuel Espoir/FRA
8. Martin le Pape/ Ovimpex-Secours Populaire/FRA/Rookie
9. Henry Bomby/TBC/GBR
10. Thierry Chabagny/Gedimat/FRA
11. Adrien Hardy/AGIR Environnement/FRA
12. Alain Gautier/Generali/FRA
13. Tolga Pamir/Un jour un home un arbre/TUR/Rookie
14. Gwenolé Gahinet/Safran Guy-Cotten/FRA
15. Claire Pruvot/Port de Caen-Ouistreham/FRA
16. Vincent Bairnes/Guyot Environnement/FRA
17. Benoit Mariette/TBC/FRA/Rookie
18. Laurent Pellecuer/TBC/FRA
19. Isabelle Joschke/Generali-Horizon Mixité/FRA
20. Corentin Douguet/TBC/FRA