La
Solitaire du Figaro - Press Release 18
August
10, 2003
Tomorrow
the 42 strong fleet of Figaro Bénéteau
in this Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro will set
out on the third leg from La Rochelle to Dingle
in Ireland. Due to the tides, they will not get
away until 1600 BST at which point a thermal depression
centred over Normandy will be filling in slightly
as it heads to the north-east of France. A second
depression will fill in over the island of Noirmoutier
while an anticylone centred over Proche Atlantique
will climb up towards southern Ireland. A light,
south-westerly synoptic will see the boats off
with a light breeze accompanying the fleet overnight.
As is often the case in these races, there is
likely to be wind on the nose throughout with
a tacking battle as the fleet edge their way up
the southern coast of the Ile de Ré looking
for a possibility of a right-hand wind shift at
the top of the island. The competitors look set
to encounter increasing winds throughout the leg
with a rather wet arrival in the Emerald Isle
on Friday 15th August.
At the midway point of this race what does the
next leg have in store?
Denis
Horeau, Race Director: « The Solitaire is
based on the fact that each leg compliments the
other. The two first legs of this 34th edition
were centred around a very traditional crossing
of the Bay of Biscay. It was a great contact regatta.
But the event also has the reputation for its
ability to offer high level ocean sailing on a
little boat. That is where its richness lies…
What
do you think will catch out the solo sailors on
this leg?
D.H.
: « There are going to be four days of open
sea in rather shifty winds which will put the
sailors’ resistance to the test. Each of
them will have to take control of themselves and
their boats and keep up with the high level of
the competition. It is all about an exercise in
style where experience can make the difference.
This
leg is going to be a baptism of fire on water
for the Figaro Bénéteau 2 too isn’t
it?
D.H.
: « Yes of course. The capacity of the new
monotype for covering miles implies that the direct
course is not necessarily the best. The competitors
will have to choose between the synoptic winds
out to sea, the inshore thermals or course down
the centre. This promises to be very interesting
and I hope that it will enable us to authenticate
a new sailing style… »
Quotes
from the Pontoon :
Michel
Desjoyeaux (Géant) : The
three weather models correspond with each other
as far as the entry in the channel with a 15/20
knot north north-easterly filling in after some
hours of light winds. After that opinion is divided
but the majority of sources suggest that an anticyclone
will kick in with little wind. There are two different
variations nonetheless : either the anticyclone
is over Ireland and the freer wind will be an
advantage to those to the east, or it will centre
to the west of Ireland so that the wind heads.
A third, very different pattern, shows a depression
over the Proche Atlantique and southerly winds.
In any case we’re going to be pretty much
on a direct course which will leave us with few
options. For now there’s no point getting
annoyed about it though as it may well all change
».
Yves
Le Blevec (Rêve de Grand Actual Intérim)
– second rookie : I’m not at all happy
about my position. The killer instinct is mounting
now, he laughs. I want this victory and I know
I can do it. »
Ronan
Guerin (Amandine & Chérie):
“The second leg was a bit better than the
first. During the first leg from the Sables d’Olonne
I has a few speed problems but I think I’ve
managed to resolve them now. I’ve been working
on the adjustment of the rudders. I didn’t
know initially if I would be able to do the Figaro
so I didn’t have the Bénéteau
rudders but now, like everyone else I think, I’m
opting to have them. The last lap was a bit spread
out and I hope this time to get in the match.
Now that there are only two legs left to make
a difference the pressure is on a bit more physically
and I feel tired. I haven’t got time to
catch up on it though as I’ve got a lot
of work to do. Mentally it’s harder now.
I hope to make the podium in the next leg as the
level is there.
Kate
Jennings
...Official
site La
Solitaire Du Figaro
