RTYC are pleased to anounce that the prestigious Figaro event is coming to Torbay, and hosted by Royal Torbay Yacht Club.
Announcing the 2015 course for the 47th edition of the race at the Paris Boat Show on Thursday 4th December, Race Organisers confirmed Bordeaux, France – Sanxenxo, Spain – La Cornouaille, France – Torbay, UK and Dieppe, France as the five European ports hosting the 2015 Solitaire du Figaro. Setting off from Bordeaux on 30th May, the fleet will start down river to the smaller town Paulliac – where they will officially start Leg 1 on 31st May. From here the fleet will race across the Bay of Biscay to the Spanish port of Sanxenxo, and back across to La Cornouaille. Docking in the quaint French maritime town of Concarneau, the skippers will restart the race to Torbay on the 14th June – La Cornouaille, Sanxenxo and Torbay each making their Solitaire du Figaro debut in 2015.
The penultimate race leg from La Cornouaille to Torbay will see the fleet once again round the notorious Fastnet Rock off the Irish Coast. Hindered by low visibility, harsh winds and viciously choppy seas, rounding Fastnet Rock will be a challenge for even the best among the fleet. In 2014 the 38-boat Solitaire du Figaro skippers navigated Fastnet on route to Plymouth, seeing Leg 1 and overall race leader Yann Elies put out of the running for a triple Solitaire win after being dismasted just past the iconic landmark – with less than 24 hours to the finish line.
With almost three legs down and with just one more to sail, by this point local Torbay headland Berry Head will come as a welcome sight for the increasingly tired sailors. Expected to arrive into Tor Bay on the 17th June 2015, the Figaro fleet will be safely docked in Torquay’s public race village during the stopover – giving the skippers time to rest and recuperate on English soil. Restarting the race on Sunday 21st June, the fleet will first battle round a lap of Tor Bay, before starting on the final push to the finish line in Dieppe, France.
On Friday 19th June, the Solitaire skippers will take part in an exhibition ‘pro-am’ race from Torquay to turning marks off Paignton and Brixham – a rare opportunity for the usually solo sailors to race with guests aboard. The Solitaire du Figaro race village on Beacon Quay will be open daily to the public from 1000am and a grand fireworks display is planned for Saturday 20th June after the Leg 3 prize giving. Groups of local school children will have the chance to visit the boats and put their burning questions to the Solitaire du Figaro skippers in an attempt to inspire the next generation of British solo offshore competitors. With a predominately French fleet, there will be the opportunity for local students to test out their French language skills, as the skippers and support teams make themselves available to answer questions down on the docks. The fourth and final leg of the race will kick off from Torbay on Sunday 21st June, but first an outdoor maritime themed multi-faith service of celebration and thanks will be held in the race village, wishing the 40+ sailors well on their final hurrah to Dieppe.
Recognising the Solitaire du Figaro as an opportunity for increased tourism, international awareness and community involvement, Torbay’s bid has been successfully driven forward by Torbay Council and the Royal Torbay Yacht Club with the support the Artemis Offshore Academy – the UK’s only training centre for solo offshore sailing. Bringing a top class sporting event to the pontoons of Tor Bay and a festival atmosphere shore side, the Solitaire du Figaro is an event for both ‘salty seadogs’ and ‘land lubbers’ alike to enjoy and Torbay look forward to its arrival: “Torbay is established as a wonderful events destination on a national and international level, so I welcome the news that we are to host the UK leg of the Solitaire du Figaro race,” enthused Mayor of Torbay Gordon Oliver. “These types of events bring great economic benefits and helps to showcase the Bay as a great place to live, work, visit and invest in.”
In further support of the town’s bid, seven of the Artemis Offshore Academy’s British Solitaire du Figaro skippers paid a visit to Tor Bay on Thursday 27th November as part of an offshore training exercise. Arriving with four Bénéteau Figaro IIs, four previous British Solitaire du Figaro skippers and three hopeful 2015 Rookies (first time competitors). South west sailors Henry Bomby (Dartmouth), Sam Matson (Exmouth) and Robin Elsey (Truro) and their British team mates Nick Cherry (Southampton), Alan Roberts (Southampton), Rob Bunce (Wiltshire) and Andrew Baker (County Down) joined representatives from Torbay Council, the Mayor of Torbay Gordon Oliver and Bob Penfold, Commodore of the Royal Torbay Yacht Club to talk more about plans for the impending race and the importance of a UK stopover in 2015 with local media and guests.
The Solitaire du Figaro 2015 kicks off 31st May from Pauilliac, Bordeaux spanning 2015 miles between Spain, France and the UK. The inclusion of a British Solitaire stopover for a second year is instrumental in the future of the British solo offshore sailing effort. Sailing the race home to friends, family and supporters vitally raises the profile of the talented British skippers making their mark on this world-class sailing circuit, ensuring their stay on the circuit as they work towards the Vendée Globe.
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