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Le Figaro: A third success for you when the stage has just been canceled. What are your feelings ?
Armel Le Cléac'h:
The scenario of a cancellation had been considered.
We knew that there wasn't a lot of wind forecast for this stage.
It actually ends like this but I think it was the right decision and I don't think any competitor will go against what was decided.
There really weren't the conditions for a fair start.
So this is my third victory, after those of 2003 and 2010, the one I had come to seek.
I am delighted, super happy to have achieved this objective over these two years when I returned to the Figaro Beneteau circuit.
A return that made me feel good because I had a complicated year in 2018 with the capsizing of my maxi trimaran Banque Populaire, then the breakage of the boat on the Route du Rhum.
I needed to look for good sensations and the Figaro circuit was ideal.
This victory gives me confidence for the continuation of our projects and in particular that of the Ultim which arrives in a few weeks.
"Often, this race is won with little"
You have always been in the right places, so this victory is well deserved?
Yes, it was built.
From the first stage, there was an option that allowed me to come back to the front lines at Fastnet and then finish the round in the top five.
Behind, the second was the turning point of this race where I knew how to impose myself, to try a different option of the fleet.
I was really in my bubble.
The station wagon was made on my direct competitors when they arrived in Dunkirk.
Then there was this complicated third stage, difficult until the end, where I went through all the emotions.
The finish succeeded me.
I came back to my direct competitors and then there was Fred Duthil (Technique Voile-Cabinet Bourhis Generali), someone who was not necessarily expected but who knew how to be opportunistic and who put me a little pressure when arriving at Saint-Nazaire.
I managed to keep 10 minutes ahead which allow me to win this Solitaire.
Often, it takes very little to gain.
There were 35 of us at the start and I undoubtedly made fewer mistakes than the others on this great race, this beautiful course where we covered more than 1,500 miles.
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The last stage canceled for lack of wind, Le Cléac'h enters the legend of the Solitaire du Figaro
Is it a nice podium this year?
Yes, like every season.
We have Fred Duthil, a sailor with whom we started solo ocean racing together over twenty years ago.
And then Tom Laperche (Bretagne CMB Espoir), someone who is like me twenty years ago.
We knew he had talent.
For me, he was one of the favorites because I found him very strong and very comfortable in the races at the start of the season.
He confirmed, so it's no surprise.
It is this mixture of generations on the podium.
It just goes to show that everyone has a chance.
Obviously, there will be sailors who will be disappointed, will be frustrated because the last stage has been canceled.
But unfortunately or fortunately I believe that it is the Solitaire which is like that.
I myself lost everything on the last stage in 2009 and the following year I won the Solitaire with three race wins.
We must therefore always persevere.
Read also
The last stage canceled for lack of wind, Le Cléac'h enters the legend of the Solitaire du Figaro
