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Next Step for Lymington Sailor - Nigel King Qualifies for La Solitaire

Top UK yachtsman Nigel King has taken another step forward in pursuing his solo sailing career by successfully qualifying for La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro, the top annual event for single-handers. To do this, Nigel needed to complete two races on the Figaro circuit, each around 250 miles. In his first ever single-handed event, the Concarneau Solo, Nigel posted a thirteenth place and finished as top non-French entry. Two weeks later in the Sables Solo he rose to sixth place - a dynamic improvement in such a short time. He now sets his sights firmly on the main event which starts from Caen, northern France, in July.

The Corncarneau Solo course was basically a set of windward/leeward legs, using Ile de Croix and Belle Ile as marks. Nigel needed to overcome initial equipment problems when his mainsheet block exploded on the start line. This left him right at the back of the fleet at the first windward mark. He made gains on the following run, letting the autopilot do the driving whilst Nigel concentrated on spinnaker trimming. By now he had climbed up to 21st place and the wind was increasing to a solid 30 knots. “Blue Note” was surfing down the waves at 17 knots. These were the heaviest conditions Nigel had experienced so far in his Figaro but he successfully completed the gybe. Later the breeze dwindled as Nigel reached the finish line at 0430. He was totally exhausted but happy to have achieved 13th place in his first event.

The Sables Solo also used offshore islands as turning points - the Ile de Re and Ile d’Yeu. This time Nigel was determined to pace himself, to work on a sensible sleeping pattern and ensure he was not over-tired for the last 50 miles. A 20 to 25 knot breeze and four metre sea made conditions difficult. Despite being sailed over by the more experienced Figaro sailor Gerald Veniard on the start line, “Blue Note” held a position between fourth and seventh and this continued for much of the race. A 15 mile starboard tack found “Blue Note” not getting best speed, something for Nigel to work on the genoa set up. The wind then dropped to a frustrating 3 to 6 knots with calm patches lurking to catch the unwary. With 45 miles to go, as the sun rose Nigel could see the competition and estimated his place as ninth. He had managed to sleep whilst reaching under the jib and now decided to hoist the spinnaker whilst many of the others stuck with white sails. Nigel started to reel in his rivals and although disappointed not to beat his training partner Didier Bouillard in fifth, the sixth place was very rewarding.

Nigel commented: “It feels good to have qualified and although there is a lot to do if I am going to get the result I want in La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro, the first part is done. A massive thanks to everybody who sent me messages of support.”

Nigel now returns to his training base in La Rochelle until July, turning his hand briefly to Open 60 racing in the Calais Round Britain Race in June.