The 40 e edition of the Solo Concarneau ended on Saturday 19 March after 45 hours of racing over 340 nautical miles. For this edition, the race was open to crews. Thus, there were 10 "duets" and 23 solo sailors who left Finistère on 17 March for a loop between the Sein and Quiberon. Yann Eliès and Antoine Carpentier (Queguiner Group - Leukaemia Espoir) naturally won the race, leading the fleet from start to finish. For this edition, Yann Eliès had decided to "play" in doubles, having injured his hand.
Queguiner Group - Leukaemia Espoir crossed the finish line on March 19 at 11:06:09 am, after 1 day 19:58:09 am Sébastien Simon and Xavier Macaire (Brittany CMB Performance) climb the 2 e walk on the podium. Adrien Hardy and Vincent Biarnès (AGIR Recouvrement) take the 3 e place.
"It's never easy! We had a great race, fighting well with the Team CMB crew of Sébastien Simon and Xavier Macaire. It wasn't easy to get rid of it! We sailed well with Antoine, he did 80% of the manoeuvres, so I had my mind free to steer!" explains Yann Eliès.
"I had done the Figaro Bénéteau once a very long time ago, but it was my first race. It's a great first time with the circuit professional! It was a great fight and even though we were very cold, we had a great time!" adds Antoine Carpentier.
In the solo race, the skippers of the Macif team made a fierce final in the Concarneau channel, but it was finally Charlie Dalin (Skipper Macif 2015) who won, 2 minutes ahead of Yoann Richomme (Skipper Macif 2014) and Thierry Chabagny on Gedimat.
"This is my first victory in Figaro Bénéteau! After many podiums, I finally climbed to the top step of the podium. It was a great race. I didn't give up anything, especially on the second part of the course. I realize that having sailed in Imoca last year brings me a lot, especially in the good anticipation of the manoeuvres. It's a good omen for the rest of the solo season." says Charlie Dalin.
Nicolas Lunven (Generali) and Anthony Marchand (Groupe Ovimpex - Secours Populaire) were back on the Figaro Bénéteau circuit and finished respectively in the 4 e and 5 e solitary place. A great performance!
In the pledge ranking, it was Will Harris (Artemis 77), who arrived in 6 e position in the overall ranking, which wins the 1 re place. "I didn't expect to finish sixth! I trained this winter in Lorient with the other figaro players. The most difficult part for me was when I arrived on the island of Yeu, when I encountered a spinnaker problem. The passage of the Birvideaux in light airs was not easy either, as you spend your time wondering how to move the boat forward! I am happy with the way I managed my race, especially my sleep. I hope to do as well on the Bompard Le Figaro Solitaire this summer!"
