Alan Roberts ready for 50th La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro
by Maria Stanley 30 May 2019 21:11 BST
2-29 June 2019
Alan Roberts in action © Thomas Deregnieaux / Alan Roberts Racing
Hampshire based, Alan Roberts (29), will compete in the 50th edition of the singlehanded offshore sailing race, La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro, in Nantes, France Sunday, 2 -29 June.
Roberts, competes in his sixth Solitaire du Figaro race, posting a ninth overall finishing position in 2015. This year his hopes are set on a top five finish however he will competing against 47 other sailors, including world class offshore racers Loïck Peyron (FRA), Armel Le Cléac'h, Michel Desjoyeaux, Jérémie Beyou and Yann Eliès to name but a few. Recognised as the unofficial world championship of solo offshore racing the event attracts the best of the best. The Solitaire du Figaro is made up of four legs, each ranging from 450nm to 615nm, this edition boasts the longest course in race history at 2,115 nautical miles.
Leg 1: Nantes to Kinsale
Leg 2: Kinsale to Roscoff
Leg 3: Roscoff to Roscoff
Leg 4: Roscoff to Dieppe
For the first time the Solitaire du Figaro will be raced in the Figaro Beneteau 3, a brand new foil-assisted one design yacht. Roberts has been in this new boat since January and knows this is going to be one of the hardest Solitaire du Figaro's to date. Roberts says "This year is going to be the most competitive year in the Figaro that I have done with so many legendary sailors taking part, everyone is out for the win as the new boat has provided a massive leveller in the fleet and reenergised and motivated everyone. This combined with a more modern and sensitive boat there will be less time to sleep and less room for error as mistakes will be penalised greatly. I'm excited to get out racing."
Roberts has been preparing for the Figaro by doing the Sardinha Cup, where he partnered with three time winner of the Solitaire du Figaro and Vendée Globe veteran Jérémie Beyou, as well as competing in the Solo Maître Coq event, he finished 16th & 14th.
Watch the start of Leg 1 at lasolitaire-urgo.com.
To follow Alan Roberts on his journey in the La Solitaire, visit: