La Solitaire du Figaro — French Solo Offshore Circuit

I raced the French offshore circuit from 2001 to 2009, including eight editions of La Solitaire du Figaro from 2004 onwards, plus various transats solo and double handed.

La Solitaire du Figaro is the heartbeat of French offshore sailing. One design, solo, multi-stage, against some of the best single-handed sailors in the world. I competed eight times, based out of La Trinité sur Mer, fully immersed in the French sailing circuit.

It is one of the toughest proving grounds in offshore racing. You are alone, on an identical boat to everyone else, so there is nowhere to hide. Every decision, every sail change, every tactical call is yours alone. Racing it repeatedly over several years shaped me as a sailor in ways that nothing else could.

Being one of very few non-French competitors, let alone one of only a handful of women on the circuit, made every finish a statement. The Figaro circuit taught me to be self-sufficient, decisive and relentless.

2004 — First Solitaire du Figaro. 50th overall, learning the circuit from scratch.

2005 — 25th overall. One of only three women in the fleet alongside Sam Davies and Jeanne Grégoire.

2006 — 24th in the Solitaire du Figaro. 20th in the Transat AG2R. 17th in the Solitaire de la Méditerranée.

2007 — 17th in the Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro. 4th in the BPE Trophy.

2008 — 44th in the Solitaire du Figaro. 7th in the Transat AG2R.