On board the Etoile boat
The imperative was categorical, the race committee of the 51st edition of the Solitaire du Figaro had to give the start of the final round before 8:12 pm, legal sunset time.
Initially scheduled for a start of the event at 7.15 p.m., the procedure could not start on time, the wind being non-existent on the line off Saint-Nazaire.
End of the match therefore.
The classification after three rounds thus consecrates Armel Le Cléac'h.
The latter entering the brotherhood of triple winners of the queen event after Philippe Poupon, Jean Le Cam, Michel Desjoyeaux, Jérémie Beyou and Yann Éliès.
Clear options and surgical positioning
This cancellation of a stage does not affect the success of Armel Le Cléac'h, as he has mastered his subject since August 30, the date of the start from Saint-Quay-Portrieux.
Often with clear options, with surgical positioning corresponding to his temperament.
Disregarding others and choosing his route on his own, having a global vision of the weather and not of the current one.
Fourth in the first stage just 10 minutes behind the winner Xavier Macaire (SNEF Group), he triumphed brilliantly at Dunkirk also thanks to his innate sense of placement.
On the third section, in difficulty until the mark of the Occidentale de Sein, his choice of southern route to seek the wind before passing Belle-Île was sharp.
He even saw himself the winner when he was overwhelmed by three men between the largest island of Ponant and Saint-Nazaire.
Thus finishing fourth at 52 minutes and 14 seconds behind the winner, Fred Duthil (Technique Voile-Cabinet Bourhis Generali).
The latter coming back to 10 minutes and 43 seconds from his transom.
No last sprint
There will therefore be no knife struggle for a final sprint.
The third, Tom Laperche (Bretagne CMB Espoir) completing a nice podium, giving a good image of the event.
On the rookie side, those taking part in the race for the first time, Kevin Bloch (Team Vendée Formation) wins the Beneteau Trophy ahead of Switzerland's Nils Palmiéri (TeamWork) and Marc Mallaret (CER Occitanie).
The announcement of the end of the event was greeted by the 32 competitors who were the first to congratulate Armel Le Cléac'h.
For a beautiful end of history.
"The conditions were not acceptable to make a start, it is better to leave it there"
Fred duthil
Obviously frustrated at not having had the opportunity to snatch the victory on the water this weekend, Fred Duthil harbored “a double feeling.
It's a shame that I couldn't fight but I have the satisfaction of being on the podium.
The conditions were not acceptable for a start, it is better that we leave it there.
It's an evil for a good.
We did three big beautiful stages ”.
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