The start village of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec now open in Caen

Malo Le Peru, Augustin Boeuf, Amandine François-Goguillon, Mélanie Lepoultier, Dominique Rose, Stéphane Nevé © Alexis Courcoux

The opening of the 54th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec took place this Wednesday morning in Caen with the inauguration of the start village.

The ceremony took place with key stakeholders Stéphane Nevé, Sailing Project Manager at Paprec; Amandine François-Goguillon, Deputy Mayor of the City of Caen; Augustin Boeuf, Regional Councilor of Normandy, nautical delegate; Mélanie Lepoultier, Vice-President of the Department of Calvados in charge of boating and Joseph Bizard, General Manager OC Sport Pen Duick.

The start of the 2023 edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec will be this Sunday at 1302hrs off Ouistreham (Calvados) for the 32 sailors competing in the race, but the Grand Départ start village opened its doors to the public this Wednesday morning at 1000hrs local time.

After the traditional walk through the village to discover the stands of the race partners and exhibitors, the expansive village was officially inaugurated by the different private and public partners of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, along with the organizers, OC Sport Pen Duick. Of course it was a great first chance for everyone to see the fleet of 32 Figaro BENETEAU one design offshore yachts moored in the Saint-Pierre basin.

The village is free access and open until after the start on Sunday August 27 and houses sports activities and entertainment. One key highlight will be the presentation of the skippers on the Main Stage in the village at 5 p.m. on Saturday 26 August.

A Grand Parade will take the Figarists out into the English Channel via the Caen canal to the sea will leave from the Saint-Pierre basin on Sunday August 27 from 8:15 a.m. The start of the first stage between Caen and Kinsale (Ireland) will be given at 1:02 p.m. at sea in front of Ouistreham.

Amandine François-Goguillon, Deputy Mayor of the City of Caen, in charge of Education and Equal Opportunity, Family and Early Childhood: "Caen, city at the start of an exceptional race, La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, a source of pride for us! It is a great pleasure to find this very beautiful sporting and nautical event here, hosted for the last time in 2007. Caen is a maritime city, open to the sea and a land of major events."

Stéphane Nevé, Sailing Project Manager at Paprec: "We are particularly proud to associate our name with a legendary event like the Solitaire du Figaro. The values that our Group upholds such as work, surpassing oneself, personal investment are also values conveyed by the world of sailing and especially by the Figaro Bénéteau circuit, which is excessively demanding. It is a real school of excellence and a great springboard in the career of a solo sailor".

Mélanie Lepoultier, Vice-President of the Department of Calvados in charge of boating: "The Department of Calvados is delighted to welcome the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec to its territory for the 4th time. Indeed, Calvados forges its identity around two vital elements: earth and water. Boating is a strong marker of the community, such as cycling and horse riding, and the Department is therefore proud to support the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec alongside the City of Caen. Highly anticipated by both sailing enthusiasts and the general public, it brings us a magnificent spectacle in a festive and warm atmosphere, around the boats, at the quay, before departure in the heart of the City of Caen. Over the years, the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec has become a major unmissable event, popular and touristic, but also economic, benefiting from very wide media coverage. This major sporting event, totally free, open to all, is also a beautiful spectacle and a great maritime celebration, but also a formidable "springboard" allowing greater enhancement of our many assets. It is therefore quite natural that the Department of Calvados supports and accompanies the City of Caen for the start of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2023.

Joseph Bizard, Managing Director OC Sport Pen Duick: "The inauguration of the Grand Départ village marks the start of the four weeks of this 54th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. We have a good line-up with 32 sailors at the start. The course brings together almost all the best sailors from the English Channel to the Atlantic, via the Iroise Sea, the Irish Sea and the Isle of Man. There will be a great show on the water."