The 45 competitors taking part in the 2010 edition of the classic summer solo race, La Solitaire du Figaro, are set to sail from Le Havre for Gijón on a 515 nautical mile leg today, Tuesday 27th July; the first of four stage race over the course of the next four weeks. With 8 rookies geared up for their first participation, 5 non French sailors wishing to leave their mark and 3 women including the return of Karinne Fauconnier, the 2010 line up promises to produce some memorable racing.

After yesterday’s Prologue, won by Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert), the solo sailors have spent the day making final preparations for tomorrow’s 14:00 start. The first leg comprises a 515-nautical mile run, the longest of the four legs, from Le Havre, in Northern Normandy to the pretty port of Gijón in Asturias on the Cantabrian coastline. “It is a very technical and difficult leg route across the to Cherbourg peninsula and then though renowned difficult areas across the Breton coast before crossing the Bay of Biscay.” Explains Jonny Malbon, who returns on board Artemis for his second participation.

The weather forecasts vary and there could be either very light wind for the start of up to 10/12 knots from the northwest depending on which module you look at, explains Sylvain Mondon (Météo France). “In the worst case we could have little and variable breeze for the start or if we look at the more favourable modules, we could see the northwesterly breeze established for the upwind run to the Cotentin headland for the first night. The breeze should freshen up and we could see up to 25 knots as it backs to the west and the turning tide, which will make for a tough first night of racing.” Continues Mondon. Once the fleet round the Brittany point, with the wind of the beam, the forecast is for the breeze to lighten providing for a comfortable run with some it should be a straight down wind run towards Spain. “We can expect to see the first reach Gijon in the early hours of Saturday” predicts Mondon, if the forecasts do not develop and change too much.

The worlds leading solo sailors inevitably pass through the challenge of participating in the classic Figaro race. This 41st edition is no different. We see experienced sailors returning to hone their skills against the young future stars aiming to leave their mark. Previous winners include Jérémie Beyou (BPI), Kito de Pavant (Groupe Bel), Eric Drouglazet (Luisina), Armel le Cléac’h (Brit Air) and Nicholas Lunven (Generali).

Race Director, Jacques Caraës foresees the first leg complications to be three points of passage: Barfleur, the Raz Blanchard (the island of Aurigny to be left to starboard), then the Four channel. “The first part is pretty much coastal. Setting certain passage points avoids the DST (maritimes traffic) off Aurigny and Ushant. This should make the racing more interesting, particularly now that the skippers can better navigate delicate areas where current and rocks can come into play. It should be an interesting first race as all are well prepared and rested.” Summarises Caraës.