The Solitaire Bompard Le Figaro 2016 began this June 10, 2016 with the opening of the race village and then the arrival of the sailors in the Morny basin in the middle of the afternoon. For 9 days, festivities and preparations will punctuate the days before the Grand Depart on June 19 at 13h02.
The 39 skippers reached Deauville from Le Havre in a parade before meeting for the first briefing to prepare for the Bompard Prologue, which will be launched on June 11, between 2:00 and 4:00 pm. Even if it doesn't count for the general ranking, it serves as a warm-up for the sailors. We remember Jérémie Beyou (Maître Coq)'s victory two years ago, before winning the overall classification.
Englishman wins the prologue for the first time
On June 11, the 39 skippers raced in the Bay of Seine for the Bompard Prologue. Even if the sun was out, the wind played tricks on them with only about ten knots. From the first tacks, a leading trio was established with Alan Roberts, Sébastien Simon (Bretagne CMB Performance) and Christopher Pratt (Sourire à la Vie). The three men did not let go and finished on the podium.
Alan Roberts (Alan Roberts Racing) is the first Briton to win the Prologue of La Solitaire Bompard Le Figaro in the history of the race. At 26 years old, he is participating in his 3rd e edition and this victory confirms him as the favorite. Christopher Pratt from Marseilles, despite a project launched barely a month ago, takes second place, while Sébastien Simon, 26, completes the podium.
"The objective for me today was to try out my new sails, so I lacked a little speed. I had to play with the current on the first leg, and that's what I did, and it worked for me. I'm happy, it's cool to win here. The last guy to win the prologue in Deauville was Jérémie Beyou and he went on to win La Solitaire said the winner of the Prologue.
Among the newcomers, it was also a subject of Her Majesty who won the race. Will Harris (Artemis 77), 22 years old, goes directly to the 2nd place e place of the general classification with this victory.
"It was a very nice start to La Solitaire. To finish ahead of 29 boats is great news. It was very interesting to have so many boats. I had never sailed against so many boats. It was very interesting for me. We were very close to each other. I managed to finish first rookie and I was very happy to do it. It's a good sign for the rest of the race said the winner of the newcomers.
"Even if the Bompard Prologue doesn't count, we are always happy to win a race. It's a good message to send to the rest of the fleet says Charles Darbyshire, director of the Artemis Offshore Academy, based on the Isle of Wight.
Photo credits : A.COURCOUX
