THE FIGARO SOLO RACE

Abschlußbericht News from La Solitare du Figaro to Dr Krumnacker Segel.de WHAT IS THE FIGARO? The Figaro Beneteau is a rather unremarkable one design 30 footer built by Beneteau. What is remarkable about the class is that these ordinary boats are sailed hard, really hard, in a series of short handed events around France ranging from round the cans courses to transatlantic, as in this year's Transat AG2R, to the index event of the year - La Solitaire du Figaro, a four stage singlehanded race between France, Spain and Ireland. La Solitaire du Figaro is widely thought of as being the unofficial world championship of singlehanded offshore racing. Competition is hot and often old hands who have been through the larger Open 60 and trimaran classes - such as Route du Rhum winners Philippe Poupon and Florence Arthaud - take part to refresh their skills. Because of the competition, winning the Figaro is an accolade that in the past has been the endorsement allowing skippers to get sponsorship to move into the bigger 60ft classes.

Almost all the French 'stars' have taken part in the circuit and many are winners. They include BOC/Vendee winner Christophe Auguin who won the Solitaire du Figaro in 1986, trimaran skipper Laurent Bourgnon - winner in 1988, 2000/1 Vendee Globe winner Michel Desjoyeaux - winner in 1992 and 1998, trimaran skipper Jean le Cam - winner in 1994, 1996 and 1999, Foncia skipper and Vendee Globe winner Alain Gautier - winner in 1989, Whitbread winner Lionel Pean - winner in 1983, OSTAR and Route du Rhum winner Philippe Poupon - winner in 1982, 1985 and 1992. La Solitaire was first run in 1970 as the Aurore Race and following sponsorship from the French newspaper was rechristened the 'Figaro' race in 1980. It has been held in the current boat, a Finot/Berret design since 1989. For budding singlehanders there is no better school in which to learn the many skills necessary to become a successful singlehanded ocean racer. It is for this reason that it is hoped that the Figaro boat will be taken up as the singlehanded training boat in the UK. One additional point worth mentioning about the class is that annually there is a challenge for a young sailor to get sponsorship and a boat to sail for the following season. 2002 is the final year for the existing boat, which will be replaced in 2003 by a new larger, faster and even more demanding boat - the perfect opportunity for non-french entries to make a move on this Class and discipline.