Nigel King ready to meet the Solo Challenge

World class UK yachtsman, Nigel King, will be one of just two British entries in the top annual international event for single-handers La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro. The first leg, from Caen in northern France to Crosshaven, Ireland, gets underway on 31st July. For Nigel this is a huge step forward in pursuing his career as a solo sailor and one he has made despite the lack of funding from a title sponsor but certainly with enormous support from sailing colleagues, race partners, family and friends.

Now based in Lymington, Hampshire, Nigel’s route to the Solitaire has been an interesting one. He was born well away from the sea, in east London, and not into a nautical family. As a teenager he sold everything to take his first sailing job in the Caribbean. Since then he has qualified as a boat builder and sailmaker, crewed for Ellen MacArthur for the Jules Verne Trophy, competed in  Volvo Ocean Races as well as many other top international events. He has left no stone unturned in preparing for this latest challenge.

Nigel’s boat Nigel King Yachting is now lined up in Caen with the 50-strong Solitaire fleet. The course involves four legs - to Crosshaven, Brest, La Coruna in northern Spain, finishing in Les Sables d’Olonne on the French Atlantic coast. Nigel commented: “There’s a real carnival atmosphere here. The race village is buzzing with skippers, sponsors and spectators. Everyone is being made to feel extremely welcome. If I were to have another week to prepare, I would doubtless find a week’s worth of jobs on the boat, but if you ask me now if I’m ready, the answer is a definite yes.

“I know this will be a tough race but it’s going to be one hundred per cent worth it in progressing my solo career.