Thirty six solo racers will start Stage 2 of the 55th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Sunday, a leg which is now set up as a 515-mile passage from Gijón across the Bay of Biscay to Royan. Because light winds are expected Race Direction have shortened the course by around 90 miles, removing a big chunk of the planned route round Cape Finisterre to instead turn back north at a small rocky island Sisarga west of La Coruña. The second stage of three starts at 1400hrs.
The route opens by negotiating the high cliffs and the disturbed airs and waters of the rugged Spanish coast. From the outset they will have to deal with very unstable winds in terms of strength and direction.
"We have a weather situation that is quite clear at the start of the second stage but not so, again, near the finish. We will have a start in a weak flow of 5 to 8 knots from the northwest and a first night that will probably be very, very calm ahead of a cold front. This should reach the fleet early in the morning or late in the night, Monday morning. The leaders will pick up speed and go to the island of Sisarga which is the new course mark for this stage 2, as well as the intermediate sprint. After rounding here they head directly towards Royan in a north, northeast wind. The second part is really uncertain, the forecasts differ according to the models, whether European or American. According to the forecasts, the race time is between 3 days, 12 hours and 4 days, 12 hours. My primary idea is that the sailors can arrive in Royan on Thursday so getting a full three nights of rest. This second leg is still going to be quite tiring and difficult from a mental point of view," explains Yann Chateau, Race Director.
Going into the second stage the time differences between the top 16 are negligible. Basile Bourgnon (EDENRED) actually leads overall. Although Loïs Berrehar (Skipper MACIF 2022) was first into Gijón, Bourgnon gained a 3 minutes time bonus for being second at Wolf Rock. His computed advantage is 1 min 59 seconds ahead of Berrhehar. Ireland’s Tom Dolan (Smurfit Kappa-Kingspan) is 10th 5mins and 31 secs behind the leader whilst Spain’s Pep Costa (VSF Sports) is 16th at 7mins 33secs.
They said:
Loïs Berrehar (Skipper Macif 2022): "It's not going to be a very easy leg. In general, we do the Bay of Biscay starting from Brittany to go towards Caribbean. We're not used to doing it from east to west, it's a bit of a first for me, it's going to be fun! The general situation is not going to be easy along the Spanish coast. We saw it at the finish of the first stage, which really reshuffled the cards. We are going to make a detour via Isla Sisarga Grande, west of La Coruña. There will be traps to avoid along the coasts on the way there and back. It will be quite technical. There will not be much pressure in the Bay of Biscay either. The finish is quite uncertain, with potential storm cells on the Bordeaux basin and near the Royan coast. We will have to be vigilant, inspired and in shape at the right key points."
Martin Le Pape (DEMAIN): "The first routings give us a finish on Wednesday evening or Thursday, that remains within the objective. I completely understand this reduction in the course. The conditions are rather calm, it depends on the files, but in any case, we will continue to adapt to the conditions as we know how to do. These conditions are not very complicated. No matter the weather, I adapt. My goals remain the same, to reach the podium. I was not far on the first stage, but I am still in the game, I am going fast at all speeds. I am aiming for a podium. "
Tom Dolan (Smurfit Kappa-Kingspan): “As Figaro legs go that was not the most tiring of all Figaro legs and so I am happy I managed myself quite well over the leg. The first night was a bit intense but it was text book sailing out of the English channel, then after that there was a lot of long upwind legs so there were not a lot of manoeuvres and so it was not that tiring, I rested myself well in anticipation of these next two legs. I remember so well how tired you get towards the end. I am very happy with how I managed myself. The weather is looking complex, getting away from the Spanish coast which will be interesting we cross a cold front then there is a difference between the GRIB Files and models right now, so uncertainty on the Bay of Biscay, the Azores high pressure is quite powerful in the west, the continent gets hot and so there is a thermal depression forms over the SW of France over Bordeaux. Not all the files show that. From the middle of Biscay it will be difficult to know what will happen.”
Pep Costa (ESP) VSF Sports: "It’s all good, I am well rested and recovered. The course is a bit shorter but will be complicated, a tricky leg with a front coming through into Monday and then light, mainly W’ly winds. It will be an opportunistic leg so I will need to stay focused and be fast all the time, looking to be making gains without being too radical. I feel quick, the boat has good speed. And you have to prepare for another close, tight finish in currents so it is crucial to get there in the pack."