Solitaire di Figaro, il via tra due giorni

Monotipia Solitaire du Figaro Vela 27 Luglio 2009 Zerogradinord 0

Tutti i 52 scafi iscritti alla Solitaire du Figaro 2009 sono ormeggiati presso le banchine del marin Kéroman di Lorient da dove l'impegnativo rally...

[singlepic id=151 w=300 h=204 float=left]Solitaire du Figaro – Lorient – Tutti i 52 scafi iscritti alla Solitaire du Figaro 2009 sono ormeggiati presso le banchine del marin Kéroman di Lorient da dove la quarentesima edizione dell’impegnativo rally per solitari prenderà il via tra due giorni.

Erano ben 18 anni che la gara non faceva tappa a Lorient e l’evento è stato celebrato con grande gioia da parte del pubblico locale che ogni giorno non perde l’occasione per fare visita al villaggio della regata.

Proprio questa mattina, presso la Città della Vela Eric Tabarly, si è svolto il primo meeting tra skipper e organizzatori. Tutti i protagonisti si sono così riuniti, lasciando per qualche ora da parte i lavori di preparazione in vista della partenza della prima tappa che, lunga 345 miglia, porterà la flotta da Lorient a La Coruna.

Il più impegnato di tutti in queste ore è senza dubbio il responsabile degli stazzatori Michel Perrouin, cui tocca la verifica di tutte le barce iscritte a partire dalle vele per arrivare alle dotazioni di sicurezza.

Davvero difficile fare un pronostico sul potenziale vincitore: i big, infatti, ci sono davvero tutti.

La Solitaire du Figaro 2009

Lorient
Apertura villaggio: Thursday 23rd July
Prologo: Tuesday 28th July

Inizio prima tappa: Thursday 30th July
La Coruna (345 miles)
Arrivo: Saturday 1st August

Inizio seconda tappa: Tuesday 4th August
Saint Gilles Croix de Vie (365 miles)
Arrivo: Friday 7th August

Inizio terza tappa: Monday 10th August
Dingle (485 miles)
Arrivo: Thursday 13th August

Inizio quarta tappa: Sunday 16th August
Dieppe (511 miles)
Arrivo: Wednesday 19th August

SOLITAIRE DU FIGARO, 40TH EDITION IS UNDERWAY
[Solitaire du Figaro Press Release] The fleet for the 40th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro is now moored at the pontoons by the Kéroman submarine base, with a final count of 52 skippers expected to be on the start line on Thursday July 30th after Christian Bos announced his withdrawal this morning. On the shore side of the event, La Solitaire’s race village opened its doors this morning in bright sunshine.

It was quite a gathering this morning at the first of the skippers’ briefings, at la Cité de La Voile Eric Tabarly: from the big names of the class to the newly-arrived rookies, the faithful Corinthian amateurs and the veteran Vendée-globistes. During presentations by the event organisers, the race managers and on the general programme for the week, each took the opportunity to wish ‘happy birthday’ to “the grand old lady that is La Solitaire du Figaro” said Claire de Crépy, event director. Nathalie Geslin, director of communications of Suzuki France, principal race partner for the second consecutive year, wanted to express her thanks to the skippers: “I am deeply impressed by such a strong fleet ,and it continues to be very important to Suzuki, even in the current climate, to support La Solitaire. It’s a partnership we can really believe in! This year more than 50.000 of our Suzuki family will follow the race intently”.

There is already a party air abroad in Lorient, host city for the start of this 40th La Solitaire. In the race village the exhibitors are welcoming the visitors, already strolling along the pontoons in great numbers. At 5 p.m. François Aubertin, Vice President of the Cap L’Orient region, with responsibility for marine affairs et Aimé Kergueris, Vice President of Morbihan General Council, cut the ribbon to inaugurate the village. “We are delighted that La Solitaire has returned to Lorient after an absence of 18 years. I wish the very best of luck to all the competitors”, said Aimé Kergueris.

On the sporting side, everyone is busy: the skippers going through the registration formalities while their shore teams are occupied with the first scrutineering checks. With 52 competitors, the Measurement Committee – led by Michel Perrouin – have plenty to keep them occupied. All sails must be branded and measured, safety equipment checked and nearly 20 seals put in place on each boat to ensure the rules for moving ballast around are followed.

On the Internet more than 15.000 ‘virtual sailors’ are impatiently awaiting the start of the virtual La Solitaire du Figaro. Replicating the actual conditions of the race (weather and race course), Virtual Regatta challenges everyone to sail their own Solitaire.