Alexis Loison wins the Generali Solo
Setting out from Nice on 27th September, the 22 solo sailors covered a 432 mile course to the Catalan capital. And it was Vincent Biarnès (Guyot Environnement), who was able to pull it off. For the first time in his career as a Figaro sailor, which began in 2007, he won. He arrived in Barcelona at around 5am. Alexis Loison, who arrived at the 7 e leading position in the provisional general classification.
This Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd October was dedicated to the Barcelona Grand Prix. Starting at 1100 hours, the 22 solo sailors competed on banana-shaped courses and coastal courses. And after a Grande Étape victory (Sète-Nice), two technical courses and a coastal course, Alexis Loison won this 20 e edition of the Generali Solo. He was very consistent throughout the event. This is her first victory in an event of the French Elite Solo Offshore Racing Championship.
"It's so nice, at first I wasn't planning on coming! It's my first victory on the official circuit in ten years! I'm still struggling to realize it. It was like a dream, I win a big stage and I finish with a victory to push the nail in when at one point I wasn't very good on this last round. And then it all came together and I said to myself, "This is definitely the race for me." I didn't give him one meter of respite, I controlled him until the end, I didn't want him (Xavier Macaire) to leave without me. It's a great and varied race. I didn't know the Mediterranean very well, we see great landscapes. In this race, there's always something to do, always a way to come back. There's nothing written in advance, the conditions change all the time, it's not simple, but it's worked out pretty well for me. I've been struggling with the technical side of things for ten years now, and in fact, as soon as I got to Sète, everything went smoothly, everything was smiling at me. It was really great!" said the skipper on the pontoons.
As for the rookies, it's Benjamin Dutreux (Team Vendée) who is pocketing the bet for his first season on the circuit.
Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert) wins the Barcelona Grand Prix
Three rounds were run on the Barcelona Grand Prix: two "banana" courses and a coastal course. And with these two fourth places, Gildas Morvan finished on the top step of the podium, ahead of Alexis Loison (Fiva Group), tied on points with Xavier Macaire (Skipper Hérault). Alain Gautier (Generali 40), finished at the foot of the podium with a fine third place on the 3 e race.
Xavier Macaire (Skipper Hérault), French Elite Solo Offshore Racing Champion 2015
With his second place in the Generali Solo, Xavier Macaire wins the title of French Elite Solo Offshore Racing Champion 2015. During the year, the skipper was sure to show consistency at the front of the pack in the three races that make up the French Championship (Solo Maître Coq, La Solitaire du Figaro and the Generali Solo), particularly in ocean races. He is one of the big favourites, after only 4 years on the Figaro Bénéteau circuit.
"I'm happy to be second on the podium, I thought it was going to be tough this Generali Solo. I was afraid of getting hurt on the short technical courses. I managed to do a few good things, to save a bit of the furniture. The two beautiful coefficient 4 stages put me on the podium in a very solid manner. I'm really happy with my Generali. There was a lot of competition, the weather was difficult and interesting, there were a lot of emotions, the match was moving too.
My title of French Champion makes me very happy, that's it! I had every reason to be French Champion, but you never know. It's extraordinary, it's also a relief. A huge satisfaction. After arriving in Barcelona, I told myself that on all the offshore stages of the year, I've been very consistent at the front. I deserve to win this shot, because I'm first in the big stage at La Solo Maître CoQ, at La Solitaire I'm 5-2-3-5, at the Generali I'm 2 and 2. I'm happy. The project with the Herault department stops for me. It will be a young man who will train on the circuit. I'll have to find a sponsor, but with my results this year, it gives me a good foundation to make it work. The adventure isn't over yet, the goal is to make it to the 2020 Vendée Globe!" said the skipper upon arrival.
Photo credits : A.COURCOUX
