Ahead of the biggest solo race of them all we take a look at the recent Solitaire du Figaro, the proving ground for so many offshore rock stars in the making.

We look at this year’s race plus, we talk to some of the offshore legends at last year’s Figaro, during its 50th Anniversary.

Also in this show, new arrivals in Auckland as the Cup welcomes all the teams and their new boats.

Plus, we check in with the America’s Cup as the new boats arrive in Auckland ahead of the first race for the radical AC75s. And there’s more as Docktalk takes a look at green resins, blue water and a very cool maxi cruising cat.

In This Episode

1:06 La Solitaire du Figaro
20:50 America’s Cup – New Arrivals
17:14 Docktalk

La Solitaire du Figaro

Winning the Solitaire du Figaro is harder than victory in the Vendee Globe, the non stop single-handed race around the world according to Michel Desjoyeaux. This French celebrity sailor is the only person to have won the Vendee Globe twice, so he should know. In a special and exclusive feature we report on this year’s Figaro while also heading to the heart of the action at last year’s 50th anniversary to talk to some of the world’s greatest offshore sailors, all of whom had turned up for another taste of the toughest single handed offshore series in the world.

America’s Cup – New Arrivals

As the clock counts down towards the first race with the radical new AC75s, the Brits and Italians fly in their, yet to be tested, race boats. American Magic have their second boat in Auckland already and are working to be the first afloat once again with the latest version of this extraordinary class. Meanwhile, the Kiwis continue to scorch around their home patch.

Docktalk

The Hudson Yacht Group reveal plans for a maxi sized cat, 11th Hour Racing and the Newport Rhode Island clean up plus, a greener future with Sicomin environmentally friendly resins.

by Matt Sheahan