"Claiming victory in the Figaro Solitaire is near synonymous with attaining recognition": Charlie Dalin defends the grandeur of the legendary event
The Solitaire du Figaro, currently in its second stage between Morlaix and Vigo, Spain, is a high-level offshore racing event that has stood the test of time. First held in 1970 under the name Course de l'Aurore, the race has since made a name for itself as one of the premier offshore racing events.
Marcus Hutchinson, vice-president of the Figaro class, acknowledges the event's ups and downs since its inception. He states that the Solitaire du Figaro was one of the few high-level offshore racing events thirty years ago. However, with the proliferation of classes and races, the Solitaire du Figaro has had to work to stand out.
One racer who has taken notice of the Solitaire du Figaro is Lola Billy, who is participating in the event for the first time on Région Bretagne-CMB Oceane. For Billy, the Solitaire du Figaro is a dream come true, a mythical race that she has long admired. She views the event as the ideal path to go through the Figaro circuit, considered the best school for offshore racing.
Billy sees the Solitaire du Figaro as a professional circuit where athletes make the difference. Winning or making the podium in the Solitaire du Figaro is still considered very strong and a guarantee, according to Charlie Dalin, winner of the 10th Vendée Globe on Macif. Dalin considers the Solitaire du Figaro as the breeding ground for top Imoca series sailors.
Julie Coutts, director of OC Sport Pen Duick, organizer of the Solitaire, wants to restore the event's image and place amidst the multiplication of events. To achieve this, the Solitaire du Figaro is planned to be repositioned at the end of the season in 2027, establishing an alternation between even and odd years. The economic context is complicated, but Hutchinson emphasizes the need to continue working on the Solitaire du Figaro.
The 56th edition of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec was started on September 7, off Le Havre. The cities named as hosts for the Solitaire du Figaro finales in 2026 and 2027 are Saint-Malo in 2026 and Bordeaux in 2027. Billy mentions that she still encounters the legends of the Solitaire du Figaro at Port-la-Forêt and on the docks at Lorient.
For Billy, the Solitaire du Figaro is not just a race, but a World Championship or the Olympics. She aspires to progress in offshore racing, climb the ranks, perform, and potentially continue in Class 40 then in Imoca. The Solitaire du Figaro is a testament to the enduring appeal of offshore racing, and its continued relevance in the modern sporting landscape.
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