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Solitaire du Figaro

Who loses wins ? Superstition runs rife !

samedi 3 août 2002Information Solitaire du Figaro

Ah superstition ! Once again Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert), firm leader throughout the Bayer Prologue, oozed politeness so as not to tempt the devil of misfortune two days from the grand departure. But he wasn’t the only one to leave the victory honours to he who really wanted it. Laurent Pellecuer didn’t pray twice !

He seemed well set to make a great show of his talent in leading a Figaro Bénéteau to victory at the end of a banana course. But you wouldn’t know Gildas Morvan very well if you imagined that he could put these old superstitions away in the cupboard. Far from it. The giant sailor already struck the blow, two years ago in Arcachon, by refusing to have anything to do with the prologue. And once again it was with unconcealed delight that he took command of the fleet so as not to let them go voluntarily until the very moment that they crossed the line. It wasn’t simply a question of playing with rotten luck, which has the bad reputation of sticking in the wake of he who wins the pre-start leg. « I seriously believe in it, he confides. We have seen too many winners of the prologue encounter serious setbacks in the ensuing races of the Figaro circuit. »

Nevertheless, everyone started off well to give free rein to a real harbour regatta in the sea off Boulogne-sur-Mer. At ll o’ clock, Gilles Sabin, President of the Race Committee, launched the start of proceedings despite a ’bascule’ to the right which forced him to modify the course a little. But the timing was respected and the fleet launched themselves eight minutes later. The sun returned again and well placed Eole offered a southerly flux of 12-15 knots. Despite the slight chop, the conditions were ideal for enabling the 38 single-handers to throw themselves onto the competition waters. On the sound of the canon, the biggest of the troops had already chosen the more favourable right hand line. With a fabulous start the young first-timer Vincent Graveleau (Bati 85 Qualeader) had the luxury of a canon blast on the nose and at the bow among the best of them. Solely the old sea dog Philippe Vicariot (Thales) rushed off too early and had to make amends.

In the leading group, Eric Drouglazet (David Olivier) and Gildas Morvan detached themselves very quickly. It was all set for a head on battle between the two tenors of the circuit ! But the perceptive giant of the fleet persevered for a long time and gradually got up close... « It was the best side and that enabled me to avoid contact with the others and to play with the current. » Well judged the black and green Figaro tacked up to the windward buoy, followed, like a shadow, by his rival.

One lap later down the Opal Coast (Côte d’Opale), the same players were approaching the finish. Cercle Vert, capering about, seemed set to leave victory to his close persuer. We know his funny little ways ! But Eric Drouglazet, the title holder of the Single-handed Figaro, apparently not superstitious if you give him a bob or two it would seem, also refused to cross the line. And it was the same for Erwan Tabarly (Thales-Armor Lux) and Vincent Riou (PRB) who abandonned their turn at shouldering the responsibility for the winning role. They’re mad these Bretons ! And so it was left to the southerner Laurent Pellecuer (Languedoc Mutualité Hippocratus.com) to take up the perfect opportunity to edge through the field and earn the line honours. « I said the day before that if there was ever the opportunity I would seize it. I have already had enough worries so we’ll see. I had a fantastic regatta, that’s the main thing », declared the happy winner of the Bayer Prologue. In his wake and in the cacophony, Vincent Riou and Gilles Chiorri (32 01 of Météo Consult) won places on the podium.

Echos from the pontoon

Superstitious, me never ! Save Gildas Morvan who believes wholeheartedly in all these signs ; wicked words which are themselves indicators that bad fortune has climbed aboard ; no-one wants to admit a penchant for superstition. Eric Drouglazet, second on the approach to the line : « No, no I’m not superstitious. But the others are so convinced that he who wins the prologue loses the Single-handed that I certainly didn’t want to trust them ! » Erwan Tablarly, third across the line : « Superstitious ? No. But I didn’t want to take a victory which wasn’t my destiny. » Vincent Riou, fourth to cross the line : « No, me neither, but I didn’t want to take unnecessary risks ! »

Three abandonments under spinnaker

Charles Caudrelier-Benac (Bostik Findley) left the regatta waters after the breaking of his spinnaker halyard, Bertrand Marsset (Passion) after problems in setting his spinnaker and Antoine Koch (Saunier Duval) after a beautiful « jumble » under spinnaker.

Tune in !

Friday evening, Le Téléphone Sonne, the highly popular broadcast of France Inter, embarks on the Single-handed Figaro. Live from Boulogne-sur-Mer, Philippe Lefèvre will welcome Denis Horeau, Race Director, Jeanne Grégoire, the only female entrant and Eric Drouglazet, winner 2001.

Laure Faÿ



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