Torbay Solitaire du Figaro - Free public Race Village announced

by Artemis Offshore Academy on 29 Apr 2015 2015 Solitaire du Figaro – In just 50 days time, 40 of the world’s top offshore sailors will race into Tor Bay – Eric Bompard Cachemire. To celebrate the arrival of this world-class sailing event in Torbay, a free public Race Village will be open for families to enjoy on Beacon Quay, Torquay between Wednesday 17th June and Sunday 21st June.

Now in its 46th year, the Solitaire du Figaro is a high caliber sporting event and known as the unofficial world championships of solo offshore racing. An excitingly intense and grueling competition, the Solitaire provides a month of top-level solo racing for both the best and the brave. This year starting from the historic city of Bordeaux on Sunday 31st May, the four-stage event will run between five top European host venues including Torbay. For the first time in race history, the Solitaire du Figaro – Eric Bompard Cachemire skippers will dock their impressive fleet of one-design 33ft Figaro Bénéteau IIs in Torquay Harbour sometime late on Wednesday 17th, into the early hours of Thursday 18th June.

As the world’s leading annual solo yacht race, the Solitaire du Figaro – Eric Bompard Cachemire brings not only a professional sailing race to the pontoons of Torquay Harbour, but an exciting events programme to the shore. Free and open from 1100 to 2200 on weekdays and 1000 to 2300 on the weekend, the Solitaire du Figaro Race Village offers five days of fun for the whole family to enjoy – from food experiences courtesy of local chef Mitch Tonks and South Devon college to great local live music, try sailing with the Royal Torbay Yacht Club and British Disabled Sailing Association, face painting and climbing walls. Featured on Britain’s Got Talent, the Shaolin Martial Arts Team will be performing along with expert talks for sailing enthusiasts, public fireworks (Saturday 2200), a Pro-Am race in the Bay (Friday 1500) and for the youngsters the Mare and Foal Sanctuary will be in the village with a pony petting zoo.

“The Solitaire du Figaro – Eric Bompard Cachemire is an internationally recognised race but is making only its second return to the UK in 12 years,” Torbay Host Venue Manager Rebecca Barrie explained. “Key to the success of this event is local engagement and enjoyment. It has been our aim in the planning process to involve and work with as many local businesses and people as possible, and to put on an event for the whole town to come and enjoy. We’ve got bands, entertainers, cooking demos, sailing experiences, expert martial arts, live racing, a bar, a tank, expert sailing talks and so much more – there is something in the Race Village for everyone, and the best part is it’s free.” See the full daily events schedule and timings online here.

The key to the hosting of the event in Torbay is the positive economic impact on the community. Positioned along Beacon Quay next to Torquay Harbour, local businesses and traders have been invited to get involved and display in the village, as well as coming on board as partners and suppliers to the event – so far Rockfish, the Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Brixham Ferries, Stage Coach South West, Living Coasts, Suzuki Quay Auto Centre, St Austell Brewery and the Herald Express, Palm FM and English Riviera Magazine have all signed up to support the event, while Torbay Council, The English Riviera Tourism Company and Tor Bay Harbour Authority have come together under ‘Sail Torbay’ as the Host Venue for the event. The UK’s only training centre for solo offshore sailing, the Artemis Offshore Academy, is the Host Venue Main Partner.

It’s not only business’ getting involved, local school children will take daily trips to the Race Village as part of an education programme and there is a volunteer programme open to locals looking to get hands-on with the event. A great experience to learn and see what it’s like behind the scenes of a top class sporting event, the volunteer programme is open to all. Visit the Torbay event’s brand new website and scroll to the ‘Get Involved’ section to sign up. You can also sign up for updates on the event here, simply enter your email address to receive the latest news on timings and entertainment in the Race Village.

There is still an opportunity to get involved with the Torbay Solitaire du Figaro - Eric Bompard Cachemire stopover, whether it’s to display in the growing race village or supporting the event at a partner or supplier level. Contact info@lasolitaireuk.com for more information.

For media enquiries, please contact Emma Harris news@lasolitaireuk.com.

Race Village daily event highlights:

Wednesday 17th June
- The Race Village is officially open!
- Test yourself on the ‘Oarsome Buoys’ rowing challenge
- Green peppers, or red tomatoes – it’s Race Village Ready, Steady, Cook!
- Tasty cooking demonstrations with South Devon College
- Living music and entertainment all day

Thursday 18th June
- Boat Arrivals! Welcome the Solitaire du Figaro – Eric Bompard Cachemire skippers to Torbay
- Take a tour of the Figaro
- Ladies Day – best hat wins a bottle of Pol Roger Champagne
- The skippers tell the tales of the race in ‘The story of the Solitaire’
- Make some new furry friends at the pony petting zoo
- Live music and entertainment all day

Friday 19th June
- Figaro racing in the Bay with the Pro-Am Race
- Race Village Ready, Steady, Cook!
- Story of the Solitaire
- Live Pro-Am race in the Bay
- Public Pro-Am prize giving
- Live music and entertainment all day

Saturday 20th June
- Try sailing experiences for all
- Eat yourself silly with the Devon Food Market
- Expert sailing talks
- Face painting, magic shows and stilt walking
- Help set a Devon Cream Tea Record!
- Living music and entertainment all day
- Public Leg 3 prize giving
- Public fireworks

Sunday 21st June
- Race day!
- Blessing of the fleet in a multi-faith service
- Live race commentary all day
- Shaolin Martial Arts Team display
- Wave the Figaros out of the harbor
- Leg 4 Solitaire du Figaro – Eric Bompard Cachemire race start
- Race Village closes