AG2R & Solitaire du Figaro confirmed for 2012

The Artemis Offshore Academy will once again be supporting me on my Figaro campaign. This means i can spend another year working hard training and racing in the one-design Figaro class. This year i will be training in Lorient ahead of the AG2R which starts in Concarnau in April.

AG2R – 21st April 2012

The AG2R is a gruelling double-handed 3,900 mile race from Concarneau, France to St Barts,Caribbean. This highly competitive French race starts from Concarneau on the 21st April for the 17 entries into the race. This race will see double-handed teams racing across the Atlantic Ocean and into the Caribbean in the one-design 33ft Figaro class.

Sam Goodchild and Nick Cherry are the only current British entries to the race. This duo will be competing on Artemis Offshore Academy Figaro 23, Goodchild’s Figaro for the 2012 season.

The AG2R will see Goodchild and Cherry going up against some seasoned Figaro sailors. This race will lead into the Solitaire du Figaro later in June with most of the AG2R sailors also competing in that race as well.

“I am looking forward to having the chance to race against the French Figaro sailors in this transatlantic race. It is a good opportunity to test our boat speed with them before the Solitaire du Figaro in June,” explained Goodchild. “It will be my sixth Atlantic crossing and the first time I have done it in a Figaro!”

Solitaire du Figaro – 21st June 2012

The Solitaire du Figaro is an annual single-handed race held in multiple stages around the coast of France and Europe in the one-design Figaro Class yachts.  Known for its exceptional levels of competition – boats often finish with just minutes separating them after days of racing – the race is a grueling test of boat-handling, navigation and tactical skills, with little opportunity for the skippers to rest or sleep. Respected as both a proving ground for up-and-coming solo racers (known as ‘Rookies’, or ‘Bizuths’ in French), the race also attracts many experienced legends of the sport.

This year is the 43rd Solitaire du Figaro which will see Sam Goodchild returning and looking to improve his 34th place finish from last year. This year Goodchild will be racing in the main division of the fleet as last year was his ‘Rookie’ year.

Start date: 24th June

Course: Paimpol (FRA) – Gijon (ESP) – St Gilles Croix de Vie (FRA) – Cherbourg (FRA)

Due to a potential clash with the London Olympics the dates of the Solitaire du Figaro have been moved for 2012 and rather than taking place in August, the unofficial world championship of singlehanded offshore racing, will run from 16 June until 15 July.