Artemis Offshore Academy in the Solo Basse Normandie

Sam Matson at the finish of the Solo Basse Normandie © Artemis Offshore Academy

THE BRITISH ARE COMING – two in the top 10 and first Rookie for the Artemis Offshore Academy after the Solo Basse Normandie

It's hard to know what's more intense – sailing a 24 hour race through rough seas, huge tide and gusting winds against some of the best solo sailors in the world, or having your faced glued to a computer screen for 24 hours, tracking the progress of the Artemis Offshore Academy's Figaro fleet during their first race of the season. Both activities are similar in the fact that both solo skippers and trackers must strategically plan when to maneuver, eat, rest and use the loo. For the skippers this is because of weather, the competition and having 33ft of racing yacht to control. For the armchair spectators (specifically the Academy's shore crew), it's because the tracker is updated every 10 minutes and every 10 minutes the Academy's Alumni and Rookies were upping the anti in the 188 mile Solo Basse Normandie – finally seeing Nick Cherry (Redshift) (9th) and Jack Bouttell (GAC Concise) (10th) finish top 10, Sam Matson (Chatham) (12th) climb an amazing 12 places in 12 hours and 2015 Rookies Robin Elsey (Artemis 43) (18th, 1st Rookie) and Andrew Baker (Artemis 23) (20th, 3rd Rookie) finish on the Rookie podium.

Starting and finishing in Granville, France the Solo Basse Normandie course was intensely physical with a barrage of weather and tide to boot. Add to that a last minute course change the night before the start, and the race was a real opener to the Classe Figaro Bénéteau season for both seasoned competitors and new comers alike. Undeterred by the challenges that lay ahead, there was a great mood in the British camp ahead of the race, one of both anticipation and preparation – the skippers excited to start and ready to perform. Battling through tide, waves, rain, thunderstorms and between rocks in up to 30 knots of wind from Granville around Jersey and back again, the Solo Basse Normandie fleet finished in Granville on Saturday 28th March. Double Solitaire du Figaro winner Yann Elies (Groupe Queguiner – Leucemie Espoir) took line honours by a whisker – just 18 seconds ahead of second place Charlie Dalin (Skipper Macif 2015). Redshift skipper Nick Cherry put the 'Cherry on top' for the British team, dicing with the leading pack for the duration of the race and eventually finishing 9th of 24 competitors, just 15 seconds behind Isabelle Joschke (Generali Horizon Mixité) in 8th: "It was a pretty tough course with lots of changes in the wind and a lot of sail changes to be done," an exhausted Nick relayed on the dock. "Starting off nearer the front of the fleet gave me a lot of motivation to work hard and stay there, so I didn't get much sleep – I'm pretty broken now. Going round Jersey was pretty windy. I kept putting off changing to my smaller jib, when in hindsight I should have changed about two hours before. But you can't come racing without learning something. I had a pretty good start, but then made plenty of mistakes so I've still got a lot to learn. But I'm really pleased with my result, satisfied."

Fellow Academy Alumni skipper Jack Bouttell also made the top 10 (10th), having only sailed his Figaro for a few training trips ahead of the race. Just three seconds separated Jack in 10th and Yoann Richomme (Skipper Macif 2014) in 11th after 188 miles. Filled with confidence after a stint with Volvo Ocean Race team Dongfeng Race Team, Jack has mentor Charles Caudrelier's own Solitaire du Figaro winning Figaro 19 this season. Charles sent his congratulations from aboard Dongfeng after the leg, also joking that perhaps he needs to up the charter price of his speedy boat. Chatham skipper Sam Matson was the next British skipper over the line. After a bad start that saw Sam trailing the fleet, through sheer grit, determination and maintaining consistent boat speed while the rest of the skippers flagged or slept, Sam climbed a mammoth 12 places in 12 hours to see him finish 12th overall. He's done it before and he's done it again: "I'm pretty happy with how it all went, although the start didn't go my way, the rest of my race was pretty good. I've got to go home now a write up my notes on it all and see where I can improve and know what to work on next time."

Establishing himself in the top 10 early on, Henry Bomby (Rockfish Red) had a great race, eventually finishing in 13th just behind Sam in 12th. Although happy with his race, Henry was a little disappointed with his result after dropping a few places on the final beat to the finish line. Magma Structures skipper Alan Roberts was next in 16th, also climbing places from the back over 24 hours and finishing just 17 seconds ahead of experienced French skipper and Solitaire du Figaro leg winner, Alexis Loison (Groupe Fiva). Academy Rookie Robin Elsey finished 18th overall, landing himself the 'Premiere Bizuth' title: "It was pretty intense race because there were lots of corners. It got pretty breezy around the back of Jersey and that was quite a challenge but it was good fun. I finished first Rookie, which is what I set as my goal before the start. Everyone wants to win the title and I'm sure it's everyone's aim ahead of the race, so I'm very proud to have won it in my first race. Feels great." Making it a double on the Rookie podium, Andrew Baker finished 20th overall and third Rookie, while Rob Bunce finished 23rd. The youngest competitor in the fleet, Rob admitted he was looking forward to a beer and hug after finishing his first solo Figaro race.

Next in the Classe Figaro Bénéteau calendar is the Solo Mâitre Coq in April, starting from Les Sables d'Olonne, home of the Vendée Globe.

Solo Basse Normandie results:

1. Yann Elies, Queguiner Leucémie Espoir
2. Charlie Dalin, Skipper Macif 2015
3. Thierry Chabagny, GEDIMAT
4. Paul Meilhat, SMA
5. Sebastien Simon/Bretagne Credit Mutuel Espoir
6. Alain Gautier, GENERALI
7. Gwénolé Gahinet, SAFRAN – Guy Cotten
8. Isabelle Joschke, GENERALI Horizon Mixité
9. Nick Cherry, Redshift
10. Jack Bouttell, GAC Concise
11. Yoann Richomme, SKIPPER MACIF 2014
12. Sam Matson, Chatham
13. Henry Bomby, Rockfish Red
14. Adrien Hardy, AGIR RECOUVREMENT – 1d, 6h, 9m
15. Corentin Horeau, BRETAGNE CREDIT MUTUEL Performance
16. Alan Roberts, MAGMA STRUCTURES
17. Alexis Loison, GROUPE FIVA – 1d, 6h, 8m
18. Robin Elsey*, ARTEMIS 43
19. Benoît Mariette*, ENTREPOSE
20. Andrew Baker*, ARTEMIS 23
21. Martin Le Pape*, OVIMPEX Secours Populaire
22. Claire Pruvot, PORT DE CAEN OUISTREHAM
23. Rob Bunce*, ARTEMIS 37
24. Sophie Faguet*, REGION BASSE-NORMANDIE

Quotes:

Nick Cherry, Redshift

"It was a good race. It was a pretty tough course with lots of changes in the wind and a lot of sail changes to be done. Starting off nearer the front was gave me a lot of motivation to work hard and stay there, so I didn't get much sleep – I'm pretty broken now."

"The low point of the race, which is shouldn't of been because we knew it was going to happen, was coming into Granville and them not finishing us because of the tides. I had to do another two legs and if I'd finish then I would've been in quite a good position, but it was a pretty fun leg actually. Just sitting around outside the harbour wasn't so much fun."

"Going round Jersey was pretty windy. I kept putting off changing to my smaller jib, when in hindsight I should have changed about two hours before. I probably lost quite a lot because of that, and it wouldn't have done my big jib any favours."

"You can't come racing without learning something. I had a pretty good start, but then made plenty of mistakes so I've still got a lot to learn."

"I'm really pleased with my result, satisfied."

Sam Matson, Chatham

"It was an up and down race. I didn't have a very good start or first leg, which is a bit of a shame. I'd planned everything that I wanted to do on the start and on that first stretch, and I ended up being forced to do completely the opposite, which was pretty disappointing. I spent the next 24 hours working my way back up through the fleet, which was rewarding. It was pretty windy around Jersey, which I was pretty prepared for and made a lot of gains there. Generally it was all pretty good, especially after the first leg when I was on the way up."

"There was a lot of hanging around after the finish, so it's really nice to be on land. I'm looking forward to warming up a bit and getting some food."

"It was a pretty full on course, there were no legs longer than 30 miles, so there wasn't much time for sleeping and we were always on a different cross over with sail – it meant there was a lot to plan and to do. It kept us on our toes, and being that busy does help you to forget about how tired you are. The most challenging conditions were around the top of Jersey when the wind picked up to about 30 knots."

"As soon as I finished, I dropped all my sails and made some hot food. It was quite calm out there, so it was nice to chill out for a bit, eating and listening to some music. It was quite nice."

"I went into this race knowing it was a bit of a training race, as are all off the three races building up to the Solitaire. I'm pretty happy with how it all went, although the start didn't go my way, the rest of my race was pretty good. I've got to go home now a write up my notes on it all and see where I can improve and know what to work on next time."

Jack Bouttell, GAC Concise

"The race was fairly enjoyable except for the fact I didn't sail very well around the top of Jersey, which was quite frustrating. Despite that it was a good race. It's the third time I've sailed the boat so there's still a lot to figure out, but yeah, I'm happy with a top ten finish."

"How did I stay with the first half? I avoided the follow the leader programme. I think I sailed the rhumb line whereas everyone else sailed and followed the leader. I lost a bit when I should have been following the rhumb line, but I sailed up to join everyone and avoid some of the risk. But in hindsight, I could have just continued sailing on the course as I was, and probably could have done better."

(What are you doing to pass the four hour wait to get into the harbour?) "I've got the sails down and I'm just gently rocking to the motion of the ocean. The only music I've got onboard is the windows sample music, which is some sort of random Spanish dance music and then a bit of a bedtime lullaby so the choice is delightful really."

Robin Elsey, Artemis 43

"I did alright, it was a bit of an intense race, but it was good. I was first of the Artemis rookies, and we were in the third pack but I can't quite work out the overall placing. I think I was first rookie overall though."

"I think I got 5-10 minutes sleep the whole trip, I'm pretty tired and it was a bit intense to say the least. It's quite understandable why I didn't get much sleep. I also didn't really eat a lot because there were so many corners on the course."

"It was pretty intense because there were lots of corners, it got pretty breezy around the back of Jersey so it was quite a challenge but it was good fun."

"Victoria (Mascot) is somewhere behind the chart table right now, oh no, she's there she might have climbed over – but she's dry and happy."

Andrew Baker, Artemis 23

"It was a tricky race for sure, not a lot of sleep, tight racing and a lot of tactical elements to thing about. The wind shifts were doing the complete opposite to what you wanted them to do with the tide, so it was a bit of a gamble at times as to what was going to pay off. It was definitely tiring, both physically and mentally. The weather was also very variable, we had sun, rain, thunder storms and a lot of wind at times. It was really good for a first race, getting a feel for it all."

"I was doing quite well for the first half of the race, but I ended up trying to bank too much of it ended up last at the first mark. At that moment I thought, what am I doing. I had a bit of a word with myself, and managed to over take six boats"

"The first night was pretty hard, there was a lot of tight reaching and it was quite foggy, so it was quite easy to get lost in yourself. I had to rely on what all of the instruments onboard were telling me as you couldn't see any other boats. On the last beat to the finish line, a big shift came in but there was a lot of tide coming the other way, which made it a bit of a tactical nightmare."

"I'm glad to be back on land, I've needed a shower since the first night when a wave came over the bow and when in through my kit so I've been a bit salty since then. I've been chewing strong minty gum through the race to try and keep myself awake, but it's weird now, I don't feel tired at all. I feel like I'm in a weird kind of daze."

"I've learned about where I fit into the fleet. I know I can be competitive and I can be fast, it's making silly mistakes and making the wrong calls tactically that was letting me down. I felt like I was in the mix a few times in the race, and that I was competitive and no slower than any of the boats around me. It's now going to be about ironing out those silly mistakes."

"It's always satisfying to come ashore after a race, it's only after you hit the dock and start talking to the other guys about what they were doing out there that you realise what was happening around you."

Alan Roberts, Magma Structures

"It was a good first race of the season. We had an interesting start where the fleet kind of got into groups from then. It got pretty windy up by Jersey, and I had a bit of an issue where I got my kite sheet stuck in-between my rudders and got stuck in Ines trying to solve the problem because I couldn't steer. Other than that it was a good race, I was quick upwind and average downwind in the night, but it was good fun."

"For me, the night time stuff was hard work. I think I lost out when we peeled from spinnaker to headsail going to the first mark – I lost probably 50 metres on a couple of guys around me. Then downwind at night time on reaching, I lost a little bit of pace, so those were the harder parts."

"I've definitely come away with a huge amount from this race – I just need to go away and write it all up. It's more on the changes that I learnt (for example the kite to jib) which you have to lead rather than follow, because if you follow you're already too late."

"I would say I'm happy. The results were average, but I think I've taken a lot more away from it as a training race."

Henry Bomby, Rockfish Red

"It was really good. From the start I was fighting in amongst the top ten which was my objective going into the race, so it was really good to be a part of that. Then I got it all wrong in two big shifts on the last twenty mile beat which saw me lose three miles of where I was and four places from I think ninth to 13th. We had one 40 degree and one 50 degree shift and I was on the right when it went left, and I was on the left when it went right and the sailors that were about a mile behind me before the shift seemed to be right up with me. It was just two big shifts that I got massively wrong and I lost big time on it. The boat speed was really good, I felt as though that's improved so that's really good and hopefully that's going in the right direction."

"Going up into Jersey there was quite a lot of wind so taking the boat upwind was hard work and it was freezing cold, but I gained a lot there throughout the night and just gybing really helped so I'm sure a lot of people were on the pilot and sheltering quite a bit so it gave me the motivation to stick it out and just drive."

"It was good that all of the legs were around 20 miles long, it means that you can do a bit of a speed test on each of the 20 miles, whereas in the Solitaire du Figaro you would get a 100 mile leg – so this race was perfect as a training race."

"I was fighting close quarters in the top 10 for the majority of the race, which was really good and I felt I progressed a lot so I'm happy with that. It's just a shame that I couldn't come away with a top 10 result – it would have been nice to start the season off, but that's how it goes sometimes."

Rob Bunce, Artemis 37

"It was a pretty good race to start with, we saw everything out there. I didn't get much sleep at all, or get the chance to eat much but it was certainly good fun. The toughest part of my race was when my pilot ram fell off its mount and I couldn't use the pilot. I'm glad to be on dry land, I'm looking forward to a larger and a hug!"