The calm before the storm
The Figaro sailors taking part in the third leg of La Solitaire from Brest to La Coruña in Galicia prepare today for the harsh conditions that are forecast to sweep the fleet in the Bay of Biscay from tomorrow afternoon. Christian Bos (Belle-Ile en Mer) grabs the lead from Jean-Pierre Nicol, the first to round the BXA mark this morning and stretches his lead to 5.3 miles over his immediate pursuer as he hits the first breeze. The fleet of Figaro boats were becalmed this morning upon round the BXA mark, “not a puff of wind, the flat sea is just marked in small places by little puff of air this afternoon in the Bay of Biscay” describes the Race Direction boat positioned at the head of the fleet. The breeze is due to come in gradually and gently from the west and build this evening to 15 knots as it backs to the Southwest tomorrow and steadily building to 30-35 knots gusting 40 knots tomorrow night when the front comes through.

Article and photo from the Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro website.


Solitaire du Figaro : News from the boats at sea
Sunday, 12 August 2007

Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert) – leader - on the VHF at lunchtime today
Nicolas Lunven (Bostik) – on the VHF at lunchtime today in 9th place
“It is really quite nice, conditions are good, it was a bit light last night and then the breeze came in to some 15 knots this morning, so all is going well on board. I was lucky to be in the front pack of 7 boats that got passed the tide in the Raz de Sain and with a bit more breeze. I did a few gybes this morning and it was a pleasant surprise to find myself just behind Mich’Desh this morning. The weather forecasts are showing conditions that are not as bad as we had expected. Managed to get a little bit of sleep at the end of the night before the breeze came in, but am driving as much as possible to catch up with anyone ahead. I will try and get a bit of rest this afternoon.”

Thierry Chabagny (Brossard) – on the VHF at lunchtime today in 3rd place
“The first 24 hours were fun, the start was not all that easy, when we finally got off it was great, although we got at the Raz de Sein quite late which meant that the tide was turning and luckily there was a little bit of breeze to get passed as it turned. I have been spinnaker sailing since then and well placed for the NW breeze. There could be an option of going closer to shore to keep with the breeze. I have looked at the weather; the German forecasts predict lots of wind for the finish. We should not have much up to the next mark, but then we will gradually get SW for the last bit to La Coruña. It is nice being with the leaders, nicer than being behind battling to try and catch up on places. I am right behind Gildas like on the 2nd leg.”

Bertrand De Broc (Les Mousquetaires) – on the VHF at lunchtime today in 14th place
“The night was quite hard as I was right up close to the Bethaumes and got some plastic stuck round the rudders and keel. Now I am about 1 mile behind Chabagny and the 3 boats leading. There are a few wind shifts and the sea stronger than the wind so not so easy to work with the autopilot. Had a small nap last night, so will try and get another one this afternoon. The breeze is due to veer back a bit tonight and I will try and keep up with the leaders. Last night I managed to get into the right pack to get passed the Raz de Sein and we were 4 or 5 boats together which was nice. The shooting stars were really quite amazing!”

Patrice Bougard (Kogane) – on the VHF at lunchtime today in 25th place
“It is great being up front and I can see the French Patrol Ship. I have managed to sleep a bit just after the Raz de Sein, which was hard to get passed. I am going to try and hang on to the leaders for as long as possible. I have driven the boat most of the time since yesterday, now I am under pilot and going to try and eat something and get some rest, but then there is always some trimming and tuning to do.”

Eric Defert (Suzuki Automobiles)
“I had a nightmare start, I got stuck in the current and found myself going backwards yesterday, then had to anchor which was no good, but now things are looking ok with 15 knots of good breeze. I am working on moving up the fleet and just catching up one by one. Just ahead I see Défi Mousquetaires and Region Basse Normandie and below me Mark Lepesqueux…I am full of energy and rearing to go!”

Gérald Veniard (Scutum)
“Conditions are really quite pleasant, it is warm I am wearing a T-shirt, it would not have been quite the same had we gone up to Ireland! I went passed the Raz de Sein on a tight reach and passed 2nd behind Foncia, we got stuck close to shore, then I had to zig zag my way out. There is a still lot to do all the way to BXA, 117 miles away, so some 15 hours away. It does not look like the weather forecasts are changing much. I plan to try and position myself in the middle of the leaders and sail as best as possible.”

Nicolas Bérenger (Koné Ascenseurs)
“I am sitting on my bench here, I am fighting my way away. I had a bad start, I should be used to it by now after 3 in a row. But now I am back into the match and hanging on in there. I had to anchor twice, the others round me just all disappeared in to the night. I must have slept a good hour in total and you can add on a few little micro naps, which would bring the total a little more than an out. Well fed and rested! The SW wind should come in towards the end and finish with W NW for the finish.”

Robert Nagy (Velia)
“It is not going too badly, a bit hot, which makes a nice change! I think that it is pretty even out on the water; I am further to the left waiting for the wind shift to come in. I struggled a bit at the Raz de Sein and was 50 metres behind the leaders there and they just got ahead when the tide turned so now they are over a mile away. Once we get passed BXA we should get a bit more wind. My wrist still hurts, but I am taking care and not straining it, as conditions are manageable.”

Article by Sabina Mollart-Rogerson www.lasolitaire.com


Rolex Fastnet Race fleet ready and waiting for start tomorrow

Race crews had an extra day to prepare for the Rolex Fastnet Race start rescheduled for Monday 13 August. For the first time in race history, RORC race organizers elected to postpone the start by 25 hours due to a severe weather warning from the UK Met Office, which would have put the bulk of the fleet in the middle of the Celtic Sea as a low pressure system approached, with no safe port to run to. Cooling its heels in Portsmouth is Mike Slade's brand-new super maxi canting keeled ICAP Leopard. The scratch boat in the Rolex Fastnet fleet, the 100-foot super maxi was launched in June but has been out sailing almost every day since. Slade commented, "I applaud the wisdom and preference to delay, as the smaller boats will have an option to continue on or not, while the bigger boats will be on their way." Slade says the new Leopard has a safe and comfortable rig, and while they've seen 30-40 knots and had the trysail and number five up, they have yet to sail in slamming seas and big gusts that this year's Rolex Fastnet could cook up. Chris Tibbs, the meteorologist for the Rolex Fastnet Race, has forecast a south-westerly wind, Force 3/4 (7 - 16 kts) for tomorrow's start. Tuesday should see the strongest winds, likely to be near the Lizard and Land's End with the wind south-southwest Force 6/7 (25 - 38 kts), with a possible increase to gale-force Force 8 (34 - 40 kts). By then, the bigger boats will be past and the smaller boats will still have options for shelter if the breeze strengthens. Further information about the RORC and the Rolex Fastnet Race may be found at http://fastnet.rorc.org

Janet Grosvenor & Trish Jenkins article, excerpt from BYM News


Solitaire du Figaro: They were off, then not, then off

Solitaire du Figaro: They were off, then not, then off, except Etienne Svilarich who ran aground Saturday, 11 August 2007 15.03: Top, Bon Depart ! They are off The third leg of La Solitaire Afflelou Le Fiaro got off at 15h00 local time in the Bay of Brest. The wind did finally come in from the West and build to 8 knots for the start. The fleet head off round a short dog leg course boefore going out west out of the Rade de Brest to the Radio France Mark, just north of the Pen Hir gate mark. 16.12: Race has been stopped, 2nd start will take place in the small bay of Berthaume Shortly after the race start, the Race Committee decided to stop the race further to changes to the start course that had not been followed by most of the competitors. A new start line is being set up in the bay opposite Berthaume. 18.16: General recall for the 2nd start of the third leg of La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro The competitors taking part in La Solitaire have suffered further upset this afternoon as a general recall was given for the 2nd start. The Z flag was hoisted by the Race Committee Boat – which means “no part of a boat’s hull, crew or equipment shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the minute before the starting signal.” The fleet finally crossed the start line at 18h10 local time with one individual recall for Cotes d’Armor (Vincent Biarnes). There is currently 10 knots of SW breeze for the fleet as they head up to the Radio France offset mark 3 miles away Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) rounds the offset Radio France Mark in the lead…again! 19.22:Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) rounds the offset mark in the lead for the second time running. Italian competitor, Pietro D’Ali (Kappa) rounds in second place with Ronan Treussart on Groupe Celeos following round in third. Both Paul Ó Riain (City Jet) and Nigel King (Nigel King Yachting) have had a storming start to the race rounding in 6th and 7th place respectively. Radio France Buoy roundings: 1./ Michel Desjoyeaux – Foncia 2./ Pietro D’Ali – Kappa 3./ Ronan Treussart – Groupe Celeos 4./ Corentin Douguet – E.Leclerc Bouygues Telecom 5./ Thierry Chabagny (Brossard) 6./ Paul Ó Riain – City Jet 7./ Nigel King – Nigel King Yachting 8./ Eric Drouglazet – Luisina 9./ Frederic Rivet – Novtel Caen 10./ Jean Paul Mouren – M@seilleEntreprises before the open run south to the BXA mark. 19.25: Etienne Svilarich (Grain de Soleil) abandons race after running aground... Etienne Svilarich (Grain de Soleil) ran aground on the approach to the Radio France offset mark after starting the third leg and is now heading for Camaret for repair.

Sabina Mollart-Rogerson http://www.lasolitaire.com. Excerpt from BYM News article.


GLSS - Trans-Superior Race Results
The fastest elapsed time of 66:39:14 over the 338nm course was achieved by Eric Thomas on his Olson 30 Polar Bear. Click here for Trans-Superior Solo Challege results provided by The Great Lakes Singlehanded Society


Rolex Fastnet Race delayed due to severe weather warning

Rolex Fastnet Race: Severe weather warning from UK Met Office delays start Saturday, 11 August 2007 The RORC Race Office announced at this afternoon’s Race & Weather briefing that the Rolex Fastnet Race start will be postponed for 25 hours due to the continued severe weather warning issued by the UK Met office. The first start for the 300 boat fleet will be Monday 13 August at 1100 BST. The postponement is a first in the 83-year history of the race. The decision was made after consideration of the severe weather warnings issued by the UK Met Office, in order to ensure that the fleet is not in the exposed waters of the Western Channel and the Celtic Sea at the time that the predicted weather is expected. RORC Racing Manager, Janet Grosvenor said “It remains the RORC policy to start the race when it is safe to do so and the responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in the race or to continue racing is hers alone.” With the forecast boding a fast race, plans for the finish in Plymouth remain in place with the prize giving scheduled for Friday17th August at the historic Royal Citadel. Further information about the RORC and the Rolex Fastnet Race may be found at the RORC website. A Trish Jenkins article excerpted from BYM News.


Rich Wilson / Great American III - Open 60Monday, 06 August 2007 Another major milestone for Rich Wilson’s Great American III (GA III), as a 10 month refit project on the Open 60 is completed. The GAIII was launched at Maine Yacht Center in Portland Maine last week, putting Skipper Rich Wilson a step closer in his quest to be the only American to race the 2008 Vendee Globe. Maine Yacht Center crews hauled the GAIII out of Portland Harbor Thursday. With Rich Wilson and project manager Brian Wilson, the keel was fitted and mast stepped. The ten-month refit project at Maine Yacht Center included substantial stem repairs; removal and modification of the canting keel; rehab of the engine; total replacement of the electrical system as well as a new deck layout with a new pedestal. MYC General Manager Brian Harris has worked on several international race campaigns with Wilson. Harris is widely considered to be one of the top project managers in the US for the Open 50 and Open 60 class boats. The next step for the GAIII: certification by IMOCA for the Vendee Globe race. Later this month, the boat will be hoisted out of Portland Harbor for its mandatory measurements and tests for certification. Then, in November, Wilson, along with co-skipper Mike Birch, will race the GAIII in the Transat Jacques Vabre. Skipper Rich Wilson, of Marblehead, Massachusetts, is an educator and a sailor. Wilson has three world record setting voyages to his credit including a voyage from San Francisco to Boston by way of Cape Horn in 1994. The Massachusetts native also founded the Sites Alive Foundation, a non-profit platform for his ongoing educational program Ocean Challenge, a series of educational programs for students worldwide. In 2005, Wilson’s ocean voyages and contributions to education earned him one of sailing’s highest honors, the Cruising Club of America’s (CCA) prestigious Blue Water Medal. Dianna Fletcher. Excerpt from BYM News article.


Michel Desjoyeaux wins the second leg of La Solitaire Afflelou Wednesday, 08 August 2007 Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) crossed the finish line of the second leg of La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro at 05h1h1905s this morning to win the 344-mile race between Crosshaven and Brest sailing at an average 8.41 knots. Michel crossed the finish line just 50 seconds ahead of Frederic Duthil (Distinxion), who holds on to the overall time ranked leadership at the close of this leg. Gildas Mahé (Le Comptoir Immobilier) comes in third, 2 minutes and 30 seconds behind the leacer, which gives Duthil a 13 minute overall advantage over Desjoyeaux on the time rankings. “This is a good one, a good one!” Exclaims a smiling Desjoyeaux punching the air as he crosses the finish line this morning. This is Michel’s 6th leg win on a Solitaire (in Ireland twice and in Gijon 3 times), a race that he has been title-holder of twice before; in 1992 and again in 1998. This win will hold a special place for Michel as it marks the first win in France for the ultimate sailor that ha won all the major solo races including the Vendée Globe, the Route du Rhum and the Transat. Just 50 seconds later, in a battle right up to the finish line in the Rade de Brest, Frederic Duthil (Distionxion) crossed the line to take second place. “I put everything I had into it and am just completely drained,” he declared upon arrival. As a result, Duthil continues to lie ahead in the overall time rankings after the second leg with a 13 minute advantage over Michel Desjoyeaux. Gildas Mahé (Le Comptoir Immobilier) completes the podium with a third place on the leg finishing just 2 minutes and 30 seconds behind the winner of the day in his hometown of Brest. The first ten boats finished within 30 minutes of each other; among these, Christophe Lebas (Lola La Piscine Assemblée) in 4th place the after a great performance lies just 4 minutes behind Foncia. Nicolas Bérenger (Koné Ascenseurs), come in 5th and 6 minutes behind followed by another local sailor from Brest, Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert), Thierry Chabagny (Brossard), 7th and 9 minutes Gérald Véniard (Scutum), Eric Drouglazet (Luisina) and Thomas Rouxel (Défi Mousquetaires), make up the first ten in at Brest. The first rookie to finish is Vincent Biarnes (Côtes d’Armor) in 16th place. Sabina Mollart-Rogerson www.lasolitaire.com.


2007 Trans Superior International Yacht Race Starts August 4, 2007
2 Images (Click Here)
This 338 nautical mile race runs on Lake Superior between the cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Duluth, Minnesota. The Trans Superior Solo Challenge is really a race within a race. The Great Lakes Singlehanded Society (GLSS) sanctions a singlehanded division within the crewed Trans Superior Race. This year the 23 GLSS members will be competing in the singlehanded division. Check out the GLSS, and Trans Superior International Yacht Race websites.


Solitaire du Figaro - Update
Solitaire du Figaro: Thierry Chabagny on Brossard sneaks ahead Thursday, 02 August 2007 The lead has swapped on the latest poll. Thierry Chabagny on Brossard heads the battle for supremacy at Cape Lizard. It has been an upwind tacking battle against the current for the leaders this morning. The Race Organisers boat reports “Brossard just winning the battle to be slightly ahead of Rapid’Flore Caen-La-Mer and Koné Ascenseurs.” It is all being played out with the wind shifts, which are variable in direction. You also need to take in to account the strong threads of current that move in different directions, which can give some the advantage or on the contrary, play against you. At Cape Lizard the front players are making up the most ground with the currents. “It is exiting to see and Patrick Elies (skippering one of the Race Committee boats, who has won the race in 1979) enthralled, watching, analysing and commenting on the moves the leaders make…Exiting! Whilst writing there is a fourth competitor joining the leading trio: Lenze” reports the Medical Boat, following the competitors along the course. As Nicolas Berenger said, “this leg is incredible with everything that can change in 10 seconds to all start again…you can do all the work to lead and start believing you are in with a chance when suddenly you loose all your lead…” Nothing has been decided yet and with the weather forecast there could be lots of changes to come over the next few hours, or even minutes!” Sabina Mollart-Rogerson www.lasolitaire.com --- Found on BYM News.


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