Solitaire du Figaro

The Solitaire du Figaro, previously called the Course de l'Aurore, is a solo multi-stage sailing race created in 1970 by Jean-Louis Guillemard and Jean-Michel Barrault. The unique character of the race, the presence of great solo sailors and its being open to amateurs, has made it one of the most cherished races in French sailing.

From 1970 to 1979 the race was organised by the newspaper L'Aurore. In 1980 the daily newspaper Le Figaro bought out L'Aurore and became the principal sponsor of the event.

From 2003, the eyewear company Alain Afflelou was an associate sponsor. The official name of the race became La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro. Since 2008, the motor manufacturer Suzuki replaced them, and the race became named La Solitaire du Figaro Suzuki.

Since 2011 the title sponsor of the race has been Eric Bompard Cachemire, a French fashion house specialising in cashmere garments.

The characteristics of the race are:

In early races, boats were all from the same series. Since 1980, the race used prototype half-tonners.

In 1991, the Solitaire du Figaro made the milestone of becoming a One-Design race. The race organisers chose the Figaro Bénéteau (now called Figaro Bénéteau I) designed by Group Finot and Jean Berret.

Since 2003, a new design called Figaro Bénéteau II has been used, a modernised, more powerful version.

All places are in France unless otherwise stated.

42 skippers started, 42 finished.

51 competitors.

52 skippers started, 52 finished.

46 skippers started, 42 finished.

Started 6 August 2006, with 44 competitors.

Started 29 July 2007, with 50 competitors.

After ten competitions, Michel Desjoyeaux was the third French sailor to win his third Figaro race, this one being marked by strong winds (as much as 50 knots (58 mph; 93 km/h) in the last two stages which crossed the Gulf of Gascogne.

Nicolas Lunven in Bostik finished first newcomer in 14th place.

Started 25 July 2008, with 50 competitors.

François Gabart in Espoir Région Bretagne finished first newcomer in 16th place.

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Wikipedia