The Solo Maître Coq will take place from April 15 to 24, 2016, starting in Les Sables-d'Olonne (Port Olona). This 13th e This edition, organized by the association Les Sables-d'Olonne Vendée âeuros Course au large is a classic of the Figaro Bénéteau circuit. Organized since 2003, it has naturally become part of the calendar of the Figaro class racers. Many champions âeuros Loïc Peyron, Jeremie Beyou, Yann Eliès etc. - and future participants of the Vendée Globe 2016 have sailed there. This edition will be a preparatory race and will allow to qualify for the Solitaire du Figaro.
Throughout the regatta, the Vendée Globe pontoon in Port Olonna will be open to allow enthusiasts to meet the skippers and their boats. The Race Village, located at the top of the pontoon, will be open from April 15 to 18 and will host 210 exhibitors from the region and broadcast the race map. The prize-giving ceremony will take place on April 24 at 11:30 a.m. and will reveal the winner of the Solo Maître Coq, and thus the successor of Yann Eliès.
" The Solo Maître Coq 2016 is a new edition with the same format as 2015, consisting of coastal courses and an offshore race. As with any sailing competition, the program will be adapted to the weather conditions each day. We expect a fairly young field with many newcomers, some of whom I have already met on the Mini circuit. This pre-season race is generally an interesting event for these newcomers to the Figaro because it allows us to judge their level of preparation. For many of them, the very fast pace of this competition makes it difficult, but it remains an excellent training before the Championship" explains Denis Hugues, race director.
22 skippers are registered for the Solo Maître Coq 2016 âeuros including 9 rookies and 5 women and 7 foreigners. Among them are seasoned figarists like Corentin Douguet (4 participations in the event) or Anthony Marchad and Damien Cloarec who are making their return to the circuit after two years on other circuits.
Who is participating?
The Solo Maître Coq is open to one-designs from the Bénéteau Figaro circuit and is raced solo. The top names in the circuit as well as the newcomers take part. Historically, the Solo Maître Coq opened the Figaro season and was raced either solo or double-handed.
Podium 2015
What course?
From Monday, April 18 to Wednesday, April 20, 2016, the skippers will compete on constructed courses in the Bay of Les Sables-d'Olonne, then from Thursday, April 21, they will set off for 36 to 48 hours of racing on a 350 nautical mile loop between Yeu Island, Ré Island and Belle-Ile-en-Mer. In total, the competition will last 10 days.
What's special about it?
In odd years, the event is part of the French Elite Single-handed Ocean Racing Championship and in even years it is part of the Figaro Class event calendar and qualifies for the Solitaire Bompard - Le Figaro.
This year, in agreement with the Figaro class, the Solo Maitre Coq is the last race of the season before the start of the French Elite Single-handed Ocean Racing Championship.
Photo credits : CFavreau
