(updated) In the closest finish to a leg for many years Loïs Berrehar (Skipper MACIF 2022) ghosted across the finish line in Gijón, Spain early this afternoon cross the finish line first on the 615 nautical miles Stage 1 of the 55th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec which started Sunday afternoon from Le Havre.
This time 31 year old Berrehar, who finished third overall on last year’s race, got the better of his young rival Basile Bourgnon (EDENRED) who was runner up to Corentin Horeau overall, crossing the line ahead of him.
Berrehar finished at 12:58:21hrs local time in an elapsed time of 3d 21h 58m 21s just after keeping his nerve and making the best final approach to the finish line. In very light airs he kept his gennaker sail full and powered up and picked the best angle to the line pipping Bourgnon by a matter of just 1 minute and one second.
Third to cross the line was Jules Ducelier (Région Normandie) who is first bizuth (rookie). Top international is Tom Dolan (Smurfit Kappa-KIngspan) who was ninth 3 mins and 32 seconds after the winner. The top 20 finished within 6 minutes and 31 seconds.
At this time all results are provisional and may be subject to change