This year La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro is set to be receiving 49 sailors at the start in Perros-Guirec, France. From the 1-28 August 2005, renowned sailors, amateurs and rookies will face the 1,710 nautical miles from Perros-Guirec to Port-Bourgenay passing through Getxo-Bilbao, La Rochelle and Cork (Crosshaven) in Ireland. This 36th edition of the race promises to be very open.
Each year the entry list for La Solitaire offers provides a great selection of sailors. Experience among the sailors accounts for, seven Around the World races (Vendée Globe, Jules Verne Trophy, The Race, Whitbread), more than 100 transatlantic race crossings (Route du Rhum, Transat Jacques Vabre, Québec-St Malo, Transat AG2R, BPE Trophy, Mini-Transat, etc.), five America's Cup, almost 30 Tour de France à la Voile, Fastnet, Sydney - Hobart, Rolex Cup, Match Racing, etc.
Among these 49 skippers, Charles CAUDRELIER (FRA), winner of the 2004 edition, will be defending his title. He will be competing against some of the best sailors of the Figaro Bénéteau circuit, Jérémie BEYOU (FRA), Yann ELIÈS (FRA), Sébastien AUDIGANE (FRA), Eric DROUGLAZET (FRA), Kito DE PAVANT (FRA). Both Michel DESJOYEAUX (FRA) and Armel LE CLÉAC'H (FRA) will be jumping boat, leaving their trimarans behind to compete in the race.
Some names have not appeared on the entry list for 15 years. Pierre MAS (FRA) last took part in 1990, and Cyril ROGNON (FRA), is back after 13 years.
Several newcomers to the race are also due on the start line: pharmacist, Stéphane SEVAUX, commercial director, Jacques EINHORN, manager, Laurent NABART and boat charter manager, Marc LEPESQUEUX.
This 36th edition welcomes in total, nine newcomers who will fight to win the Bénéteau Rookie ranking. Three women, Sam DAVIES (GBR), Jeanne GRÉGOIRE (FRA) and Liz WARDLEY (AUS), join the ranks, and overall there are sailors coming from four different nations: Germany, Great Britain, Australia and Italy.