A Third Win in the Solitaire Le Figaro for Armel Le Cléac’h
The organizers were obliged to cancel the 4th stage of La Solitaire du Figaro, due to the complete absence of wind at sea in St Nazaire, on Saturday 19 September. So Armel Le Cléac’h, leader of the overall ranking the day before on Banque Populaire, was declared winner of the 51st Solitaire du Figaro.
Another title for Armel Le Cléac’h
Already the winner in 2003 and 2010, the “Jackal” now joins Yann Eliès, Jérémie Beyou, Michel Desjoyeaux, Jean Le Cam and Philippe Poupon in the closed circle of sailors to win the Solitaire Le Figaro three times. This year, he was there to win and to make the race his “big goal this season”. His reaction after winning the race :
"It’s the twelfth time I’ve taken part in the race. My first Solitaire was twenty years ago. I have come a long way since then, since I have not won every year. There was 2003, 2010 and 2020. It took a lot of patience to win the last title. I am thrilled. The atmosphere on this Solitaire was amazing and the level was outstanding, with a good blend of generations, including seasoned sailors like myself, Yann and Fred (Duthil) who won a good second place, followed by the upcoming youngsters, who will be tomorrow’s champions".
The Jackal” added another win to his record of achievements off St Nazaire, on Saturday 19 September, 20:30 (GMT+1).
The 51st Solitaire du Figaro podium
Frédéric Duthil (Technique Voile - Cabinet Bourhis Générali) and Tom Laperche (Bretagne CMB Océane) came 2nd and 3rd. Just 23 years of age, Tom Laperche’s performance in the Solitaire was outstanding and he currently leads the 2020 French Elite Offshore Racing Championship.
What he said: “The Solitaire Le Figaro is really completely crazy. The amount of energy and commitment you need to stay ahead or to get back into the race is phenomenal. You have to fight, hang on, think and make small changes constantly. It’s a really complicated race and in the end, it’s all the small things you do that work. This is precisely why it is so amazing to win a podium place".
Sunny podium in St Nazaire: Armel Le Cléac'h, Frédéric Duthil and Tom Laperche.
The BENETEAU Rookie Ranking
Congratulations to Kévin Bloch who finished 12th in the overall ranking. The Team Vendée skipper won the Eric Ingouf Trophy awarded to the leader of the BENETEAU Rookie Ranking.
Kévin received the BENETEAU rookie ranking trophy from the hands of Romain Ingouf, Eric Ingouf's son.
Kévin Bloch at the prize-giving on Sunday, 20 September, bringing the 51st Solitaire du Figaro to an end.
Well done to all the skippers! It was utterly riveting. See you next year.
Photo credit: Pierre-Yves Lautrou and Alexis Courcoux.
Published on 21.09.2020