Nicolas Lunven is really happy to have won the first stage of the La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro. He has taken part 8 times in the multi-stage solo offshore race that is held annually. He was able to win the overall in 2009, but he did not have the opportunity to win a leg. This record was set straight by Nicolas Lunven yesterday by winning the first stage of the La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro.
The first stage of 420 miles was a very challenging one with gusty winds up to 50 knots and also cold weather. It started from Bordeaux. Lunven crossed the finish line of the stage one of the solo offshore races at one minute past midnight when he touched the finish line in the Austrian port of Gijon.
Lunven entered this race in good form. He was the winner of the Solo Maitre Coq race early in the season. He finished the race in 2016 in the 3rd position overall. He then completed after a two-year absence. He also finished the 2012 multi-stage offshore solo racing in the 3rd position.
In spite of all this good showing at the previous La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro events, he did not have the chance to win a single leg. This only happened last night and he is very happy to have done it at last. Adrien Hardy touched the finish line at Gijon 13 minutes and 23 seconds behind Lunven and the third place went to Sebastian Simon.
There are a lot of boat fleets taking part in this year’s race event. Rookie JulienPulve had an impressive first stage race and finished in the 8th position. Yann Elias, who is looking to claim hands on his 4th overall title at the event had to finish in the 5th position in stage one.