Solitaire du Figaro - Safran-Guy Cotten takes 13th place

by Safran Sailing Team on 12 Jun 2014 Three days 04 hours 11 minutes and 45 seconds; that is the time it took to Gwénolé Gahinet to complete his first leg of La Solitaire du Figaro - Eric Bompard cashmere. Crossing the finish line at 17:11:45 (French time) in Plymouth Bay, the Figaro Safran-Guy Cotten took an excellent 13th place, 77 (CHECK) minutes behind the winner, Alexis Loison (Groupe Fiva) and finished as the second rookie behind the British skipper, Sam Matson (Artemis 21).

Nothing less was expected of the young sailor, who had already cut his teeth in solo sailing on the Mini 6.50, and was able to keep up with the fast pace of this leg. Some downwind, some upwind, some dead calm and some breeze; all the ingredients were there to provide the 37* competitors with a leg worthy of La Solitaire du Figaro. Here are the first impressions hot off the press.

This 484-mile first leg between Deauville and Plymouth has left its mark. Gahinet’s face is drawn but the sparkling eyes of the skipper of Safran-Guy Cotten reveal the satisfaction of the young sailor to have picked up a few places on the home straight. 'I am really happy, there were ups and downs on the leg, but I loved the format! We had really varied conditions and a few comebacks. As you go along you just set yourself new challenges. The fact that there are always lots of board around to compare speed you become more efficient. I am really happy because this just confirms that I am happy with offshore sailing.' Explains Gwénolé upon arrival in Plymouth. 'Finishing as second rookie is very pleasing and Sam Matson is a great competitor. As to the ones following, they are far enough behind (over an hour), so this is a great result!'

In ideal summer conditions on Sunday at 1300hrs, the skipper of Safran-Guy Cotten left the Normandy coast and was in 33rd place as they passed the Radio France buoy after three hours of racing. 'I got to the start line too early and had to slow down. I have stand back and try and look around. It is clearly an objective for the next legs.' Contrary to weather forecasts, the first crossing of the English Channel to the Owers buoy off the east coast of the Isle of Wight was milder than expected. On a tack upwind in around 15 knots of wind, the fleet crossed the famous mark in the middle of the night.

Thirtieth to Owers, Gahinet gained whilst his comrades were stopping by the Isle of Wight to shift closer to the coast. Within two hours, the skipper of Safran-Guy Cotten was in fifth place. It was a good example of what can happen in La Solitaire du Figaro: a perpetual reshuffling of a pack at the whim of currents, little seams of wind and short rest breaks. 'The approach to Wolf Rock was pretty tough, I was even sick. It was very tiring but I hang on in. We had 30 knots of wind, stunning surfs; it was awesome. At that time, I managed to do two great sail changes and I was super happy. Sometimes it is just these small things that satisfy and help you to regain focus and stay in the game.' Confides Gwénolé.

Big seas, 20-25 knots of south-west wind, and boats which slam continuously into each wave; after a little over 48 hours of racing, the second Channel crossing to Roscoff did not spare the sailors. But the long tack of 100 miles was above all conducive to a sprint. 'On the descent to the Astan buoy, we had good boat speed and took the opportunity to sleep: two hours in 20 minute breaks. I feel I have managed my sleep well and this is important for the end of a leg.'

The last part of this first leg was played out on a third and final crossing of the Channel, which had reserved many surprises for the leaders.

'Last night was tough, I had to be fine tuning all the time to get the boat speed. There really were not options.' Concludes the Safran-Guy Cotten skipper. Under spinnakers, the fleet suffered a sharp slowdown at midday from eight to four knots in a few hours. Having shifted slightly to the east, Gahinet managed to regain some precious metres on his closest rivals after a magnificent final run into Plymouth, the skipper of Safran-Guy Cotten finished in a magnificent 13th place. A great success for his first ever leg in La Solitaire.

*After the abandonment of Yann Eliès, who dismasted on Tuesday, there were only 37 competitors in this first leg, Deauville – Safran website

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