Solitaire du Figaro – Artemis Offshore rookies selected to compete

by Artemis Offshore Academy on 27 Apr 2015 The Artemis Offshore Academy is pleased to confirm that it has selected all three of its British Rookies to compete in the 2015 Solitaire du Figaro – Eric Bompard Cachemire. Now two races into the season, Andrew Baker, Rob Bunce and Robin Elsey have proved their potential ahead of the 2185-mile race – having this weekend finishing an intense week of coastal and offshore racing as part of the Solo Maître Coq.

All three of the Academy’s Figaro freshman have now taken their place on the coveted Rookie podium already this season, with Robin and Andrew finishing first and third Rookies overall in the Solo Basse-Normandie and Rob finishing second overall in the recent Solo Maître Coq regatta. With only Robin having any short-handed experience prior to the Academy, the sailors have progressed well in training and proved themselves competitive on the Classe Figaro Bénéteau circuit against both their fellow first timers and the wider and more experienced fleet.

'The aim of the Academy has always been to see its Rookie competitors on the Rookie podium,” Artemis Offshore Academy Sailing Team Manager Charles Darbyshire explained. “Rob, Robin and Andrew have all proved in their first two races that they are capable of doing this and I’m sure if all goes well in the Solitaire, we could see any one of them matching the great performances put in by our past British Rookies Jack Bouttell and Sam Matson (first and second Rookies in 2013 and 2014). Thanks to the help and support from everyone working with the Academy and its sailors this season, Rob, Andrew and Robin have developed far enough to be worthy of a place, representing the Artemis Offshore Academy on the Solitaire du Figaro start line in just over a months time.”

Already on a high from his Solo Maître Coq podium position, Rob was excited at the thought of representing the UK in the highlight race of the Classe Figaro Bénéteau calendar next month: “I’ve worked really hard to get to this point in my sailing and to have finished on the Rookie podium and be told I’m competing in the Solitaire du Figaro all in one weekend is a great feeling. I’m potentially the youngest Rookie to take part in the race, but age is just a number and I hope I can do well, stay in contention and do the Artemis Offshore Academy proud. Without the support of the Academy, I would not be about to race a 2185 mile solo race!”

The 46th edition of the Solitaire du Figaro will take competitors to five European host venues. Starting in Bordeaux, France on the 31st May, the race will visit Sanxenxo, Spain, La Cornouaille, France, Torbay, UK and Dieppe, France over the course of one month. Growing up just along the coast from Torbay in Truro, Cornwall, earning his place on the Solitaire entry list was a proud moment for Robin: “It will be a really special moment for me, sailing with the Solitaire du Figaro into Torbay. I grew up and learned to sail in the south-west, and having my friends and family waiting for me on home soil will be all the motivation I need to sail as fast as I can over the first three legs to get Torquay Harbour. I can’t wait to be a part of the race.”

Born and bred in Northern Island, Andrew relocated to Cowes, UK in 2013 to pursue his offshore sailing dream. Being told his name will be on the Solitaire du Figaro entry list was the realisation of 15 years of dedication and commitment to sailing for Andrew: “For me the Solitaire du Figaro is the ultimate test of mind, body and tactical skill. I’ve put so much energy and passion into sailing over the years and to compete in the Solitaire really is the epitome of what I’ve been working towards. I will feel very proud to represent the Artemis Offshore Academy and Northern Island in the race.”

The decision to enter all three Academy Rookies in this year’s Solitaire came as the squad finished their second race of the 2015 season, the Solo Maître Coq. Racing out of the iconic homeport of the Vendée Globe and this year counting towards the Championships of France, the Solo Maître Coq attracts a high pedigree of Figaro competitors and Rookies alike. Forty sailors took part in this year’s regatta comprised of three 22-mile coastal races and a 320-mile offshore race around Île de Ré, Île d’Yea and Belle Île. Academy Alumni sailors Nick Cherry and Henry Bomby both performed well in the week’s earlier coastal races - Henry finishing one of three races second in a sandwich between 2016 Vendée Globe competitors Morgan Lagraviere and overall event winner Yann Elies. Firing up the true match-racer inside, Nick relished the short sharp racing, finishing top 10 in all three to see him fifth on the leaderboard overall. However, scored on a co-efficient point system weighted towards the final offshore race, this became the Solo Maître Coq decider.

Setting off on the 320-mile race on Thursday 23rd April after 10 solid hours of racing was good practice for the Academy’s Rookies, the best dry run of the four staged Solitaire du Figaro they are likely to get. Going on to finish first Rookie, the offshore race was made for Robin as he made the risky call to sail west of Île d’Yeu with just six other Figaros while the rest of the fleet stayed right. Gaining 20 places, Robin sailed a consistent race to the finish line, crossing 14th in a fleet of 40 top class solo competitors. After laying good foundations for the offshore competition earlier in the week, Robin’s fellow Rookie Rob finished the Solo Maître Coq second Rookie overall – a real confidence boost for Rob. There were mixed results for the Brits overall, split between the top and bottom half of the leaderboard – but seeing some good individual results over the week.

With two races down, there is now just one to go – the Solo Concarneau Trophee Guy Cotten starting Thursday 7th May. The Solitaire du Figaro – Eric Bompard Cachemire starts Sunday 31st May.

British Solo Maître Coq results after four races
Position/Skipper/Boat name/Rookie*

1. Yann Elies/Queguiner – Luecemie Espoir
2. Jérémie Beyou/Maître Coq
3. Morgan Lagraviere/Safran
13. Nick Cherry/Redshift
15. Jack Bouttell/GAC Concise
19. Alan Roberts/Magma Structures
20. Henry Bomby/Rockfish Red
24. Sam Matson/Chatham Marine
25. Rob Bunce/Artemis 37* - second Rookie overall
28. Robin Elsey/Artemis 43* - first Rookie in the offshore race
37. Andrew Baker/Artemis 23*