French rookie Davy Beaudart (Nauty Mor), 37, has been declared the winner of Stage 1 of the 53rd La Solitaire du Figaro after Fred Duthil (Le Journal Des Enterprises) was given a statuary 30-minute time penalty for an equipment seal infringement.
Ironically, Beaudart had narrowly led the vastly experienced 48-year-old Duthil into the pretty Breton bay this morning, but misread a buoy and so let Duthil through to what would have been his fifth stage win in a La Solitaire du Figaro career dating back to 2002.
Very much a part time racing sailor, who runs a boatyard specialising in preparing boats for racing and high-tech painting, Beaudart has had multiple successes in the Mini 650 class. He is credited with helping originally generate the trend for rounded ‘scow’ bows that have spread through the Mini, Class 40 and now the IMOCA fleet.
On just his third ever Figaro Beneteau 3 race, Beaudart becomes the first rookie to win Stage 1 of La Solitaire du Figaro since Yves Parlier did in 1991. The last newcomer to win a stage was Italian, Pietro d’Ali, who triumphed on the second stage in 2005. Duthil drops to third place.
Beaudart said, “I would have preferred a classic victory but I’m still happy. I am really sorry for Fred. It was he who had the honors of crossing the finish line first, but these sealing penalties are unfortunately one of the things that happen in our sport.
“I’m still happy to have won. It is quite extraordinary to arrive with first place on my very first Solitaire. I have a small cushion of a lead but the top guys go very fast. On the second stage, I will not change modes. I will continue to learn and give my all. If there are moves to go for again, I won’t hesitate.”
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