Fifth in the last Vendée Globe, Yann Eliès announced his intention to get back racing as soon as possible. He did that this weekend in the Solo Concarneau, the second event in the French offshore racing championship. Eliès set the tone for his return to the Figaro class, finishing third. Yann Eliès: “It’s nice to finish close to the frontrunners, especially with 37 boats taking part and we were up there with the standard of the Solitaire, which was interesting. I’m pleased with my speed, and even if it wasn’t the case all the time and I still have some work to do, I can see what it’s going to take to move forward, so overall, I’m very pleased. It’s a surprise, but I haven’t yet found my feet, downwind in particular and I’m still feeling my way around. In terms of commitment, I still have some way to go, but I know that will gradually come back before the Solitaire. So, Charlie is still ahead, but he deserves it, as he has been sailing well. He’s fast and doesn’t make any major mistakes. Well done! It is going to be tough to beat him, but not just him. So far he has been perfect and he is the one to watch and chase, but I think we can do it!”
Jérémie Beyou, 14th
The skipper of Maître CoQ was not so lucky this weekend after a poor start, when he had to tack a long way at the rear of the fleet. Jérémie Beyou: "I still haven’t found my feet and I’m not really in the best of shape, but there are some positive elements. I want to get back on the water again. The boat is sailing well, and I have found the speed upwind. The first fifteen are sailing really well. It’s hard to move up a spot, especially when you’re eighteen months of work behind, but Yann has managed to cope, so that shows it can be done. I know that he always starts off well, whereas I take time to get going like a diesel engine… So I’m not that worried. I’m pleased to have done this race and I have filled my notebook with a list of things to do.”
