Le navigateur briochain est parvenu à s’imposer devant les stars et les autres ténors de la série... Tout comme lors du prologue aux Sables d’Olonne

Archive prologue. Photo : Ch.Guigueno / Pipof.com/voile

"I feel enormously relieved said Eliès on his arrival. I was under pressure and thought I’d never get here. What a leg ! Not an easy one, this one ! We saw Marc Thiercelin dominate and then finally give way due to technical problems, I think. Until you cross the line anything can happen. I thought I’d get here sooner and then the wind dropped out and ...crash ! It’s always very difficult for the frontrunner in these situations. You have to find the necessary resources and above all keep your spirits up. It’s true that I promised to win the Prologue and then La Solitaire. For the moment I’m keeping my word but there’s a long way to go yet. I am incredibly happy. It’s my second consecutive victory after the final lap last year. I’m on a roll and I’m just hoping that the next leg will be as good. The gaps are not decisive but this initial victory is very important ".

Yann Eliès (Groupe Générali Assurances) lead the « occidental » escape party, to victory : Bidégorry (Région Aquitaine), Armel Le Cléach’ (Créaline), Gilles Chiorri (32 01 de Météo Consult) and Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore), all using the right-hand wind rotation to best effect. Marc Thiercelin (Bermudes) and Alain Gautier (Foncia) opting for the easterly in slightly less comfortable conditions in glassy seas with barely any breeze, which finally worked in their favour at the finish line.

Temps de course
 1/ Yann Eliès (Groupe Générali Assurances) arrivé le 3 août à 00h29’54’’
 2/ Alain Gautier (Foncia) à 00h43’47’’, soit à 13’53’’ de Yann Eliès
 3/ Marc Thiercelin (Bermudes) à 00h44’23’’, soit à 14’29’’ de Yann Eliès
 4/ Pascal Bidégorry (Région Aquitaine) à 00h45’05’’, soit à 15’11’’ de Yann Eliès
 5/ Armel Le Cléac’h (Créaline) à 00h50’07’’, soit à 20’13 de Yann Eliès

• Quotes from the boats - Flashback to 12 hours prior to the arrival...the suspense ripe

 Yann Eliès (Groupe Générali Asurances) : « I’ve really come back into it since this morning. I had a good night’s sleep and now it’s going to take a lot time at the helm. The approach to the Spanish coast is far from easy. I hope that the wind is going to hold and that the positions will continue to work with me. But anything could happen… »

 Marc Thiercelin (Bermudes) : « I’m knackered. It’s been hard sailing without instruments since Lorient Lorient L’actualité du port de Lorient et de sa région. . I only have the GPS for the bearing and the speed and the little emergency pilot which isn’t great. I’m beginning to see some sails, it’s true that’s I’ve lost a lot. I’m having a few problems finding the right speed of the boat. It’s hard enough sailing single-handed without other boats as a reference it’s even harder… in fact I’m sailing against nobody ! I obviously lack clarity. I feel a little fatalistic. It’s been a long time since I’ve taken part in a Figaro leg when everything is decided at the end. It’s nothing like the Vendée Globe where I had feelings of doubt about safety. But here, it’s different, it’s a question of defending the slightest metre. I really hope I can hold out. There’s not going to be much in it at the finish. If when we left, someone had said that I had the chance of winning the leg from the outset, I’d have never believed them ! »

 Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore) : « I understand, if I’ve got you at the end of the line, that means that I’m starting to get good (laughs)…It’s true that I wasn’t good, I insisted a bit too much on the poor option to the west. I have had two-three moments of doubt, but the Solitaire is so special… After that, I decided to hang on in there, seize the slightest opportunity. It’s been a pleasure to sail with Gilles (Chiorri) and Droug’ (Douglazet). I am part of a little group that are going rather quickly and seem to be in the right place. The wind is set to shift between now and the finish but you can’t criss-cross your way all over the place in several places at the same time. But if the wind holds, Marc looks set to take gold. »

 Gilles Chiorri (32 01 de Météo Consult) : « I am part of a little group along with Bidegorry, Beyou and Grimont… and I feel a bit like the hunted ! Pascal has just managed to pass below me. We had a pleasant but very intense night : there was no way you could sink into sleep. It’s the home straight. There are risks for everyone : for the frontrunners, as much as for the competitors behind who may well arrive just ahead of the establishing of the diurnal breeze. It reminds me of a particular accordion effect in 1994… well placed, I finished in 16th position with two hours of delay. The chances are that it’s going to be a rather like a game of roulette… »

 Armel Le Cléac’h (Créaline) : « The sails are full and it’s pleasant sailing on the helm. I’m in contact with Yann (Eliès), Gilles (Chiorri) and Pascal (Bidégorry) aren’t far behind. As regards knowing if we can catch up Marc (Thiecelin), that’s the big question. I’m a little further west and the weather situation could still develop…