La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec
Caught between tension and eagerness to get going, the 36 Figaro sailors finally headed offshore for the opening leg of the 57th edition of the La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec.
After a spectacular coastal course of around fifteen miles between the Sept-Îles and Ploumanac’h, sailed in beautiful wind and light conditions, Loïs Berrehar aboard Banque Populaire emerged in the lead and is now heading towards Wolf Rock, the first mandatory waypoint of this opening stage.
The start of the first leg of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec was given this Sunday, May 17, on relatively calm seas and in around 10 knots of breeze. Following a reaching start, the opening leg was covered at high speed by competitors already eager to make their mark on the race from the very beginning.
After around forty minutes of racing, Loïs Berrehar was the first to complete the coastal course, followed both on the water and ashore by hundreds of spectators. The opening two legs were lively and action-packed, with numerous manoeuvres throughout.
Heading Northwest
Throughout the day, the 36 Figaro Beneteau 3s will have to battle upwind towards the English coast of Cornwall. The manageable conditions should allow the sailors to ease themselves into the race relatively calmly before facing the first major challenge of the course on Monday night into Tuesday, with the arrival of a fairly active low-pressure system.
The key will be finding the right balance: not burning through too much energy in the opening hours and risking an early deficit in strength and sleep. But the solo sailors are well prepared for this exercise and train all year for moments like this.
First Ranking at the Paprec Mark
1 – Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire)
2 – Arno Biston (Article.1)
3 – Edouard Gobery (SOS Villages d’Enfants)