Figaro - Solitaire du Figaro (Le Havre-Gijon-Brest-Kinsale-Cherbourg Octeville)

The Solitaire, the unique mythical Figaro race; the pantheon where it is a must to have your name inscribed, and why not several times, while you're at it. Like Kito whose name already figures as a winner of the 2002 race.

In brief
Single-handed race with a stopover, open to the Figaro Beneteau 2 class
41st anniversary of this race created in 1970
Prologue on 25 July in Le Havre
Start of the 1st leg on 27 July
Closing regatta on 22 August at Cherbourg-Octeville
Leg 1: Le Havre-Gijon (Spain), 515 miles
Leg 2: Gijon-Brest, 418 miles
Leg 3: Brest-Kinsale (Ireland), 349 miles
Leg 4: Kinsale-Cherbourg Octeville, 435 miles
Participants: 73 pre-registered, 17 of which are rookies, 8 internationals and 3 women
8th participation for Kito (winner in 2002) and 3rd under Groupe Bel colors (afterwards 2005 and 2006)
Race website: www.lasolitaire.com

Why this come back? "In Figaro racing, we all have the same boats and to me it is the only circuit in which the sailor really counts.  You question your abilities when you are faced with difficult conditions and you are alone on the ocean and you are the only one who can make the difference. That is why this circuit is so captivating, even when you have sailed in a 60 footer, which are fabulous boats, but in which the technical side naturally takes up a large part of the project. To come back to the Figaro is a real challenge for me, and there's an element of risk in it. I would like to see what I'm still capable of. It will require a lot of effort to be ready both competitively and psychologically".

Figaro, 60 footer, is this not the same combat? "The work we have been carrying since the start of the 60 footer project in areas such as sleep, nutrition, physical preparation and weather can be applied to the Figaro;   just like racing a Figaro this season is super preparation for the Route du Rhum, which I will be racing on board the 60 footer. This year, finally I will have a sporting date every three months."

With equal-opportunity? "We are very limited technically in the Figaro. We can work on the sails, not on their area, but on their geometry. Once you've loaded all the safety and repair equipment, as well as food supplies, you look for solutions so as to sleep as best as possible. You also try to make the helm station more comfortable, particularly for your back. Last of all there are a few "fixes" to optimize the maneuvers, but that doesn't take you very far."