EXCITED VOLUNTEERS yesterday prepared Dún Laoghaire harbour to welcome one of the world’s most prestigious sailing races to the Dublin shoreline.
Sailing enthusiasts who braved the wind and occasional rainfall described La Solitaire du Figaro as the “world championships of off-shore racing”.
In France, where the race and most of its competitors are based, it is the third-largest annual sporting event, behind the Tour de France (cycling) and the French Open (tennis).
“The press coverage is impressive and the number of people visiting the race villages in France is just massive,” a spokeswoman travelling with the race said.
“You get every paper following the Solitaire du Figaro, and the skippers – they are real heroes in their own country.”
The skipper must sail the boat solo through a sea route of 3,390km (2,106 miles) spread across four legs, with yesterday the conclusion of the second leg.
“What makes this race really interesting is that it is single-handed boats and the boats are all identical,” said Bob Hobby, one of the 20 volunteers helping out. “It’s like having a race where every car is a Ford Mondeo.”
This means that winning and losing the race was down to the sailor’s ability to manage the boat, he said.
Although not ideal for spectators, as the majority of the action takes place at sea, onlookers were eager to catch a glimpse of the boats and the people who managed to sail them with such speed.
“It is more for sailors . . . when you are involved in it and you know what goes into it [it’s great to see],” said Alan Corr. “The guys in the race know their stuff.”
Dún Laoghaire is the only international stopover in 2011. Ireland has been a frequent port of call throughout the race’s 42-year history, with Kinsale, Co Cork, playing host last year for the 19th time.
The race has ventured farther north into the Irish Sea less frequently, the last time being when it travelled to Howth in 1998.
Two days, 17 hours and 25 minutes after leaving Caen in northwest France, the first vessel arrived into Dún Laoghaire just before 9.30am manned by Jérémie Beyou (56) from Lorient. Beyou is a professional sailor and was the overall race winner in 2005.
“The first thing the skipper is going to do is go to sleep, like 10 minutes after we have stepped off the boat they are gone,” Mr Hobby said, before he began a check of the vessel.
From then until 1pm, 45 competitors sailed into the harbour with one of its now dormant Martello towers in the background. The towers were built to repel a Napoleonic invasion but powerless to prevent the influx of French sailors.
“I think it has worked out very well. The sight in the harbour is stunning,” Martin McCarthy, honorary secretary with the National Yacht Club (where the boats docked) said. “It has been a great community effort and everything has gone to plan. The buzz has very much started in the town now with the French arriving in.”
While it was mostly sailing enthusiasts present for the arrival of the boats, organisers hope that the opening ceremony tomorrow night will get the entire town involved.
“I’d say the public interest will really be sparked, as it is with Bloomsday, when you’re up against it,” said Don McManus, chairman of the Dún Laoghaire Business Association.
“When the fireworks go off on Friday, hopefully it’ll be a summer’s evening and we expect a massive amount of people.”
The festival will run through the weekend with the boats set to depart at 11am on Sunday.
Competition stopover programme of events
TOMORROW, August 12th
10am-8pm:French theme market outside St Michael's Church.
2pm-10pm:Festival market at Carlisle Pier
4pm-7pm:Taste of Dún Laoghaire cooking demonstration outside St Michael's Church
10pm:Opening ceremony fireworks, east pier
SATURDAY, August 13th
10am-8pm:Market with a French theme outside St Michael's Church.
2pm-6pm:Live bands at the Harbour Plaza stage
2pm-6pm:Street entertainment at Carlisle Pier, Harbour Plaza and town centre
2pm-10pm:Festival market at Carlisle Pier
3pm-6pm:Taste of Dún Laoghaire cooking demonstration outside St Michael's Church
SUNDAY August 14th
10am-8pm:Festival market at Carlisle Pier
11am:La Solitaire du Figaro race, boats depart
11am:Gun salute from East Pier to departing French military vessel accompanying the race
11.30am:Gun salute from Napoleonic cannon in Martello Tower as competing boats pass
2pm-6pm:Live bands at Harbour Plaza
2pm-6pm:Street entertainment – Carlisle Pier, Harbour Plaza and town centre