Thursday, 6th August 2010
Solitaire du Figaro: the Jackal Le Cleac’h bags another one.
Brilliant performance of young Francisco Lobato
Exciting finale for the second leg of the 41st edition of La Solitaire du
Figaro, Armel le Cléac’h gets his second win in a row and improves his
personal score: four leg victories. François Gabart and Jérémie Beyou
complete the podium. Brilliant performance by newcomer Francisco Lobato
from Portugal.
No wonder that he’s called “the Jackal”, Armel Le Cleac’h is showing such a
determination and mental strength that he surely deserves the nickname. On
Friday August 6th at 2 hours 44 minutes and 40 seconds he crossed the finish
line in front of the Moulin Blanc harbour, in Brest. It took Brit Air’s
skipper 2 days, 44 minutes and 40 seconds to sail the 385 miles long leg
from Gijón to Brest, at an average speed of 6.34 knots. Le Cleac’h, left no
options to his more direct adversaries, François Gabart (Skipper Macif 2010)
and Jérémie Beyou (BPI) who were left to duel for the second place. Fourth
on the line and first female skipper a happy Jeanne Gregoire (Banque
Populaire) who crossed a mere 11 seconds earlier than Yann Elies (Generali –
Europe Assistance).
A determined and convincing Francisco Lobato (ROFF/TEMPO-TEAM) finished 6th
overall and is the first rookie, getting also a special prize awarded by
Bénéteau, and regaining morale after his disappointing first leg.
Despite loosing some ground on the final stretch to Brest, Italian Pietro
D’Alì got a good 16th place, whilst other non French skippers were Swiss
Bernard Stamm (Cheminée Poujoulat) in 23rd and Isabelle Joschke (Synergie)
in 27th.
A fatigued Jonny Malbon finally crossed the finish line in last place at
12.36 on Friday. Reaching the pontoon, he was warmly welcomed by several of
his competitors, by the public and the media, where, despite being visibly
worn out he gave a very lucid account of what happened to him, explaining
that just two hours after the start form Gijon his pilot failed and he had
to steer for the following three days, without being able to sleep, rest,
eat or drink. Physically and mentally exhausted he also suffered from
allucinations.
Quotes from the skippers upon their arrival in Brest:
Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air), winner of the leg and leader of the overall
ranking
“it’s becoming a nice tradition this champagne bottle… What an intense race,
endless I would say. Towards the finish I was a bit stressed, but crossing
in first is such a joy.” And about the race: ”We had to manoeuvre a lot,
change sails, make strategic choices. I took my chances and seized the
initiative, tried to be one step ahead and I realized the my opponents in a
way were following me… that’s why I could stand up to the finish. I had to
be careful with François (Gabart) and Jérémie (Beyou) which were with me in
the front with me. And I can keep my first overall. It was very physical,
very tiring up to SN1, we had 35 plus winds, heavy swell, you had to steer
and it was nearly impossible to sleep. You had to endure all that. Luckily
after Groix, the swell eased off and I could have some rest, taking 20
minutes max naps. All in alla I think I slept 3 or 4 hours.”
On his victory, Le Cleac’h commented: “I’m exhausted and thrilled because
the last months have been fantastic for Brit Air and it proves that all the
work we’ve done with the team is paying us back. As for now I’m contented
with the result, we’re only half stage, I guess I have to wait until
Kinsale, it’s too early to judge, I need to go on sailing well and enjoy the
race.
Francisco Lobato (ROFF/TEMPO-TEAM) - 6th overall and first rookie
“I’m really satisfied, tired but happy as I reached my target. For the first
time in the Solitaire I’ve always been in the leading group. The hardest
part was at the beginning where I could not get any rest, had to helm all
the time and I was pretty exhausted, I found it difficult to get into the
race’s rhythm. I slept for hours total, I guess. I’m still on a learning
curve, grasp something new everyday, especially from the “experts” and
that’s why is so important for me to be here. I still make small mistakes
and in this class you pay for each of them dearly. The final part was
brilliant as I could make up ground to the leaders.”
Pietro D’Alì (I.NOVA.3) – 16th overall
“I did a good race, all in all. I’ve recovered well from the OCS at the
start, was fast and could stay in the front of the fleet, among the top ten.
We had fairly hard conditions, some bad squalls. During one I was sailing
with the spinnaker in Eric Drouglazet’s company when the wind gusted
suddenly to maybe 40 knots, the boat went 90° off course and I had to rush
forward to take down the spinnaker and hoist the genoa, in the process the
boat was lying on one side… we got pretty wet and lost some ground. You
can’t afford any of that in the Figaro. My race was all right up to the
Groix, then I tried to “make a coup” and get closer to the podium.”
François Gabart (Skipper Macif 2010) second placet at 16’55’ from the leader
“We had two incredible legs. On the first night we were crossing the ridge,
in light airs, the day after we hd 30 knots and on the third day we were
wearing only our T shirts. This is the Solitaire, being able to have so many
different conditions in just one leg. Moreover, I sailed well. After the
start I was not in the leading group and I focussed on speed. Jérémie
(Beyou) took me over last night at Belle Ile and then we’ve been fighting
like mad. Just imagine that at the Goulet (a few miles before the finish ed.
note) we were only three lengths apart but when we arrived into the gulf I
managed to catch him up, Wha ti like best it’s the sensation that I’m
learning and progressing. I’m no longer what I was last year and for a
sailor that’s a very positive sensation to be better than before. Armel is
very strong but we’ll do our best to stop him.”
Jonny Malbon (Artemis) last placed in Brest
“Just after the start in Gijon the autopilot started misbehaving. I went on
the process of checking everything, the terminals, the connections, the link
to the instruments but the thing was dead. I tried to continue as best as I
could with no pilot, it was horrible. The scariest thing for me was changing
from the genoa to the solent in big, big seas in 35 knots, it was
horrendous, not very much fun… I’m just absolutely exhausted, it feels
horrible, I’m happy to be here but being flat last is not good. I haven’t
slept at all, or better I must have been asleep but I didn’t realize. I
haven’t been down below at all, haven’t eaten very much. I’ve crashed tacks
so many times and gibed involuntarily trying to use the pilot. I’m happy to
be here and I hope we can fix the problem and get on with leg three. It’s
quite strange actually and it may sound like I’m crazy but I had
hallucinations, all sorts of things: the waves take funny shapes, the boats
and lights merge, they all merge into one and the look like cars… The worst
time was when the weather got worse, Tuesday I guess, and we were having 35
knots in the evening. I spent all day thinking I don’t want to change the
sail because it’s not windy enough. I waited and waited and changing the
genoa in about 28 knots is really frightening…the waves are huge and at that
point I wish I had done it sooner. To do that I turned the boat into the
wind and the tiller was not operating, that was ok to go forward and change
the sail or put a reef. I’m very, very tired and I’m upset that I lost a
leg, I just can wipe leg 2, it’s gone and that’s going to affect me overall.
Sad because I started well I was with the rest of the fleet on the right
side of the course. I’ve virtually lost the race, I’m flat last with no
chance to recover. The next two legs are just about me doing my best…”
Ergebnistabelle Leg 2
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