La Solitaire arrives at Gijón

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Following article from La Presse Solitaire. 31/07/2010  lasolitaire.com 

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["At precisely 01:42:32 Armel Le Cléac’h on Brit Air crossed the finish line two miles outside the port of Gijon, on the Spanish Coast after 83 hours, 14 minutes and 32 seconds. He covered the 515 miles from Le Havre to Gijón at an average speed of 6.9 knots. Brit Air’s skipper has participated nine times to the Solitaire and scored three leg wins.
Le Cléac’h has sailed the perfect race right from the very start and never been less than top five, moving into the lead just after passing the Brittany Point on Thursday at dawn, only temporarily conceding the first place to François Gabart (now lying in fourth) and to the rookie Yoann Richomme. His victory was built in the Bay of Biscay when he skilfully opted for a more easterly route escaping the high-pressure ridge area.

“I have come back to the Figaro to try and get revenge on last year,” declared Armel Le Cléac’h before the start in Le Havre. He is nicknamed the “jackal” for his both his guile and relentless perseverance right up to the end. Proven once again in Gijón.

Winner in 2003, where he beat Alain Gautier by the memorable 13 seconds, Armel Le Cléac’h is 33 years old and for some time now has been a point of reference on the Figaro circuit. Over the past two years he has enjoyed success in both the Open 60 and Figaro campaigns: 2nd in the 2008-2009 Vendée Globe, 2008 Imoca World Champin and then winner last year of the Transat AG2R-La Mondiale."]