Solitaire du Figaro – Fleet is on the approach!

by lasolitaireuk.com on 17 Jun 2015 Due to a shortened 400nm course and good weather, the Solitaire du Figaro – Eric Bompard fleet are due to finish leg three of the race a day earlier than expected – today!

Leading Figaros Yann Elies (Groupe Queguiner – Leucemie Espoir) and Charlie Dalin (Skipper Macif 2015), separated by just 0.1 of a mile, are currently leading fleet across Torbay with under 1nm to go. The expected time of arrival for the front-runners is around 0930 BST, with the rest of the 37 boat fleet crossing the Torbay finish line at staggered intervals throughout today and into this evening – so come on down to greet the sailors after school and work.

Leading British skipper Alan Roberts (Magma Structures) is currently in ninth position with still 25nm to sail. The estimated time of arrival for first Brit Alan is around 1330 BST – late lunch.

The Race Organisers and shore crew are currently sat staring out across the beautifully sunny Tor Bay, anticipating every silhouette on the horizon to be the leg three winner – it will be an intense and exciting battle to the line for Charlie and Yann. The skippers will be greeted on the docks by crowds of local well-wishers and media, before retiring to the Royal Torbay Yacht Club for the leg three ‘Miam’. In French, Miam literally means ‘yum’, and the Royal Torbay Yacht Club will be serving up a delicious full English breakfast for the tired and hungry skippers – what better way to welcome the sailors to the English Riviera!

The Solitaire du Figaro – Eric Bompard Cachemire Race Village in Torbay officially opens today at 1100 BST. Torbay’s Elected Mayor Gordon Oliver will be on the site do the honours, saying a few words and cutting the ribbon. The Race Village will be open on Beacon Quay, Torquay Harbour every day between Wednesday 17th and Sunday 21st June, when the fleet will restart the race at 1600 BST from Tor Bay. Entertainment highlights include daily live music, fireworks (Saturday 20th June, 2230), a Pro-Am race, cooking demonstrations, children’s entertainment, martial arts displays, a Race Village bar and much more.

See the schedule for Wednesday 17th June below, and the full event schedule here.

You can track the race to the finish line here.

Follow the Torbay event on Facebook and Twitter for real-time updates from the Race Village.

Wednesday 17th June – schedule

• 1100: OFFICIAL RACE VILLAGE OPENING
Come on down, the Torbay Solitaire du Figaro – Eric Bompard Cachemire Race Village is open!

• FROM 0930: BOAT ARRIVALS
Greet the Solitaire du Figaro – Eric Bompard Cachemire competitors as they finish Leg 3 of the race. Follow Twitter @SolitaireTorbay for latest arrival info

• ALL DAY: OARSOME BOYS ROWING CHALLENGE
So you think you’re tough enough? Come test your strength and endurance with the Rowing Challenge run by the ‘Oarsome Buoys’.

• 1100 – 1300: COOKING DEMOS
Smells good enough to eat! Enjoy live cooking demonstrations with South Devon College.

• 1100 – 1900: TRY SAILING
Put your sea legs to the test with a try sailing experience, run by the British Disabled Sailing Association and Noss Marine Academy. Sign up at their try sailing stand in the Race Village

• 1530 – 1600: READY, STEADY, COOK
Green peppers or red tomatoes? Put your culinary skills to the test in South Devon College’s Race Village Ready, Steady, Cook challenge!

• ALL DAY: RACE VILLAGE BAR
Fancy a tipple? While the day away in the sun with a drink at the St Austell’s Race Village bar. Open all week!

• 1700: STORY OF THE SOLITAIRE
The Solitaire du Figaro – Eric Bompard Cachemire organisers and skippers take to the Race Village stage to tell the story of the race so far

• 1930 – 2100: LIVE MUSIC – HARBOUR Dance the night away with Harbour on stage

• 2100: RACE VILLAGE CLOSED
But we’ll be open again tomorrow from 1100!