Sailing: the Solitaire du Figaro race sets sail with Armel Le Cléac'h on Banque Populaire
Sunday, August 30 at 1:00 pm, Armel Le Cléac'h will set sail from Saint-Quay-Portrieux (Côtes-d'Armor) on the first leg of the Solitaire du Figaro sailing race.
A major objective of the season for the skipper of Figaro 3 Banque Populaire – who will be taking part in this race for the 12th time – is to secure a third victory (after 2003 and 2010). To achieve this, he will have to sail to the very best of his ability and demonstrate extreme regularity, as the race is intense and the competition fierce.
Well prepared and rested, the Breton sailor is one of the favorites. “My goal is the same as last year: to go all out to win!” he openly admits before adding that “… the competition is tough with 35 skippers taking part, a good third of whom, on paper, are capable of winning. Whoever reaches the final podium will richly deserve it, and winning the race even more so!”
The race is particularly demanding with three major legs to start with, and a final stage in the form of a sprint finish. The pace will be fast, and the competitors will have to manage their strength right up until the very end.
The first leg will set the tone of the race as a whole: 642 nautical miles in length, it consists of a loop starting from Saint-Quay-Portrieux and running via the Fastnet Rock.
Follow all the news about the race and consult related maps on www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr and on the social networks @VoileBanquePopulaire!
Photo Alexis Courcoux