Offshore solo sailor Timothy Long to launch 2024 Solitaire du Figaro campaign at SIBS
by British Marine 6 Sep 2023 17:42 BST
15-24 September 2023
Timothy Long at Solo Guy Cotten 2023 © Timothy Long
Timothy Long, who in 2020 at the age of 15 became the youngest person to sail solo around Britain, will be launching his 2024 Solitaire du Figaro campaign at the Southampton International Boat Show (15-24 September).
The Solitaire du Figaro is one of sailing's most gruelling and extreme races, in which the best offshore sailors battle over 2000nm, solo. Every boat is exactly the same, which creates a racing fleet where the results are all down to the skippers.
Located in the marina on berth M355, Tim will be bringing professional offshore racing to life and inviting visitors to step aboard the 'Figaro 3' racing yacht, which he sailed in this year's Solo Guy Cotten, his first EVER solo race. Watch the video below!
With foils, sophisticated autopilots and high-tech race navigation software, every part of a skipper's life on board is performance orientated. Step aboard to see for yourself what life is like on board the Figaro 3 and ask Tim any of your burning questions, how he got into sailing, what it's like to sail solo for the first time, the good bits, the bad bits.
"As well as seeking to attract commercial or private sponsorship for my 2024 campaign, I'm keen to engage and inspire other young people visiting the show to get out on the water and "Go for It" in their own way", explained Tim.
He added: "I believe that the challenges you face and lessons you learn on the water are directly applicable to everyday life - building resilience, resourcefulness, mental and physical wellbeing. This is especially relevant to young people today, their families and educators."
Alongside welcoming visitors on board Figaro 3, Tim will be speaking on the Foredeck Stage.
Kicking off the week, on Saturday 16 September, at 11.30, Tim will be joining our panel discussion focusing on everything you need to know about getting Afloat with compere Ben Sutcliffe-Davies.
Then Tuesday 19 September at 12.30 Tim will join Dominic Zammit to talk about the #boatgen initiative and getting into boating with Boatfolk and Andrew Simpson Foundation. He will then be back on the stage at 14.30 when you can hear more about how Tim got into sailing, his career so far and aspirations for the future.
While over on the Boatfolk stand stage (E043) on Monday 18 September, at 14:00, Tim will be talking about "Foiling around: The highs and lows of offshore racing".
So, make a note in your diary and join Tim over at the Foredeck stage or drop by the marina to join him on board.