Armel Le Cléac'h wins the Solitaire du Figaro for the 3rd time!
Armel Le Cléac'h recently triumphed in the 51st Solitaire du Figaro single-handed sailing race, his third victory after winning in 2003 and 2010.
Armel, nicknamed ‘The Jackal’, demonstrated the full extent of his daring, tenacity, and combative spirit and revealed outstanding tactical skills by mastering the first three legs of the race (coming in 4th, 1st, and 4th position respectively). As the 4th leg was cancelled on Saturday through lack of wind, he won the race in Saint-Nazaire with a 10 minute and 43 second lead over his runner-up. This fine performance means he now joins the ranks of the extremely elite group of 3-times winners (namely P. Poupon, J. Le Cam, J. Beyou, Y. Eliès, and M. Desjoyaux).
Armel made the following comment: “Winning the Solitaire is the best way to thank Banque Populaire, which kept faith in me despite the accident in the Route du Rhum race back in 2018. Four years after the Vendée Globe, it feels great to win again. The decision to come back and compete in the Figaro could have been risky from a sporting point of view faced, as I was, with the new upcoming generation. But I won my bet. It boosts my confidence and motivates me for the future. In a few months time, we’ll be launching a fine Ultime class vessel with a view to winning the Route du Rhum in 2022.”
All the details of the race on Banque Populaire Sailing Passion (Passion Voile)