Sam Matson wins Figaro class in Rolex Fastnet
by Artemis Offshore Academy 20 Aug 2015 23:33 BST
16 August 2015
Sam Matson and Gonzalo Infante win the Figaro class in the Rolex Fastnet © Emma Jones
After a string of competitive results on the Figaro circuit, British skipper Sam Matson recorded his first win of the year in the 603nm Rolex Fastnet Race.
Joining forces with Spanish Volvo Ocean Race Meteorologist and America's Cup competitor Gonzalo Infante, Matson won the five-strong Figaro class by 16nm.
Finishing on August 20th, the pair spent four days, 19 minutes and 47 seconds at sea battling light airs and miserable weather along the south coast of England aboard Matson's 33ft one-design Figaro 'Chatham'.
Fast becoming one of the UK's best hopes for a competitive entry in the 2020 Vendée Globe single-handed round the world race, Matson is set to compete in his third Solitaire du Figaro in 2016 under the guise of the Artemis Offshore Academy and with support of his title sponsor Chatham.
"The beginning of the race was really tricky. The first couple of days were a nightmare drifting around with three hundred other boats," Matson reported on the dock. "By the time we reached Portland, we were in a wind hole with the tide against – everyone drifting backwards. A lot of people retired.
We were six miles ahead of Redshift going into Fastnet Rock and our lead just extended from there. We just launched it, small kite up and getting hosed. Gonzalo had the time of his life! Once around Fastnet Rock, we set ourselves up on a line and concentrated on sailing fast, all the way to the finish line."
Matson's solo Figaro sailing career has gone from strength to strength, achieving a run of top 15 results on the highly competitive Figaro circuit this year.
Kick starting his season with the Solo Basse Normandie, Solo Maître Coq and Solo Concarneau, Matson was well prepared for the year's main event. He finished his second Solitaire du Figaro 13th overall – improving his 2014 Rookie result by two places.
With his resounding Rolex Fastnet Figaro division win now added to his arsenal, Matson is looking forward to the two-stage Generali Solo starting 20th September. A 774nm race between Sete, Nice and Barcelona, the Generali Solo is a race through unfamiliar waters and the final race in Sam's 2015 offshore racing calendar.
"The Generali Solo is like a mini Solitaire du Figaro – but in nicer weather! I've never sailed around the Mediterranean before, so I'm really looking forward to the new challenges it will bring. The Fastnet was the perfect practice race, I can't wait to get out there." Matson concluded.
Find out more at www.rolexfastnetrace.com or artemisoffshoreacademy.com