British solo sailors
Will the latest generation of talented young British solo racers be able to emulate cycling and finally crack French dominance in the solo one-design discipline Le Figaro?
Over the last five years, there has been a concerted push by the British to break the French stronghold of solo sailing thanks to the Artemis Offshore Academy. Here the pick of promising young solo sailors is trained up in the 33ft strict one-design Figaro II class. Standout recruits are entered into the French Figaro circuit and the cauldron of solo racing proving grounds, La Solitaire du Figaro.
‘Le Figaro’ is the most credible route for those aiming for the elite stage of solo sailing, the Vendee Globe. Once the most promising rookies pass out of the Artemis academy, it is crucial they find the support to take them further.
In the last few weeks, there has been title sponsorship announcements from British companies supporting three rising stars, graduates of the academy. So once again there should be eight Brits competing in the Figaro class this year.
Figaro sailor Henry Bomby has secured title sponsorship with Mitch Tonk’s Rockfish
Henry Bomby (24) is a comparative veteran of the Artemis squad having competed in the last three Figaro circuits with the backing of chef Mitch Tonk who’s seafood restaurant chain Rockfish is once again sponsoring the Devonian sailor.
Magma Structures meanwhile, a leader of carbon fibre technology that is currently producing the largest carbon masts in the world in Portsmouth, has leant its backing to Alan Roberts. Roberts, aged 25, is a national champion in three dinghy classes, plus a naval architect with experience in building lightweight composite boats.
British solo Figaro sailor Alan Roberts is …read more
