By Thomas Howson — La Solitaire du Figaro
Race officials have shortened the opening leg of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec due to light winds forecast between Cape Finisterre and Vigo. Rather than sailing the full original course, competitors will now pass through a second gate located roughly 50 nautical miles off Cape Finisterre before proceeding into Vigo. Sailors are expected to reach this finishing gate between 1100 and 1400 tomorrow.
Race Director Yann Chateau explained the decision: “We’ve been watching a high-pressure system sit over northwest Spain for days, blocking the wind passage. We had to balance several factors. First, we needed to ensure the racing remained competitive and the forecast models were consistent about where we’d still have meaningful breeze. Second, we wanted competitors reaching Vigo Thursday night into Friday so they could get proper rest. The final 80 miles into Vigo were looking at over 24 hours in the models, meaning early arrivals Friday morning and late arrivals Friday evening.
“We’ve made a call to push the race as far as possible while keeping it sportingly fair and respecting the sailors’ need for decent sleep. We’re only at the start of the Solitaire—there’s still a long road ahead and they need minimum rest to perform in the legs to come.”
Originally published in French by La Solitaire du Figaro.
