2015 Generali Solo – Gwénolé Gahinet is confident

by Safran Sailing Team on 17 Sep 2015 Gwénolé Gahinet is all systems go for the Friday start of the Generali Solo, the last race of the Figaro Bénéteau circuit this season, between Sète, Nice and Barcelona. The young skipper of Safran-Guy Cotten is perfectly prepared for the event, which will alternate between coastal routes and offshore stages, and he is aiming for the podium.

Perfect preparation
Gwénolé Gahinet has left nothing to chance for his first participation in the Generali Solo, which will also be the last race of the Championnat Elite de Course au Large en Solitaire (France’s elite offshore solo sailing championship).

Last week, he even took part in a three-day course at the Centre d'Entraînement Méditerranée (Mediterranean training centre) in La Grande Motte. It was a good opportunity to warm up in the Mediterranean and to measure up against a dozen competitors who will also participate in the Generali Solo.

“We did lots of work on technical courses, starts, manoeuvres and contact phases,” the skipper of Safran-Guy Cotten said. “I’m hooked on regatta racing!” On Friday and Saturday in Sète, 23 Figaro sailors will be vying hard in coastal or tactical (windward-leeward buoy) races. On Sunday at 1500hrs (French time) the signal will be given for the start of the first offshore stage (354 miles) to Nice via Porquerolles and the island of Giraglia (North Corsica). On September 25 and 26 in Nice, more technical courses are scheduled before the second stage (420 miles) to Barcelona, ??via Port Cros and the island of Menorca (Balearic Islands). In the Catalan capital, the competitors will contest the last two days of racing, on October 2 and 3. The ranking will be finalised with points given according to the following ratios: four for offshore racing, 1.5 for coastal courses and one for tactical courses.

High morale
“The originality of the Generali Solo lies in alternating between short races and long offshore stages,” said Gahinet, who is back racing solo after his fifth place in La Solitaire du Figaro. “On the technical courses, the slightest mistake can be costly. On the offshore stages, it will be full of great discoveries because I’ve never done such long races in the Mediterranean. The rounds are back-to-back, the pace will be intense. We’ll have to step up physically.” Yann Eliès and Jérémie Beyou will not be competing but Gahinet will find other big names from the circuit.

“There will also be the Mediterranean skippers who are less well known and could spring a surprise,' Gahinet warned. “It’ll be a high and even level of competition. But when I set ambitious goals, it works! So I’m aiming for the podium. I’ll also keep an eye on the ranking of France’s elite offshore solo sailing championship. I'm currently seventh and I can still get on the podium. If I sail at my best, there’s no reason to do less well than on La Solitaire! Anyway, I'm leaving in good shape and feeling confident!'

Programme for the 2015 Generali Solo

September 18 and 19:
Grand Prix du Languedoc Roussillon (Sète)

September 20 – 1500hrs (French time):
Start of the first stage between Sète and Nice (354 miles)

September 22:
Finish of the first stage

September 25 and 26:
Grand Prix Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur

September 27 - 1400:
Start of the second stage between Nice and Barcelona (420 miles)

September 30:
Finish of the second stage

October 2 and 3:
Barcelona Grand Prix