Solo Maître CoQ: Two German starters challenged: Jörg Riechers and Susann Beucke attack

They are starting the 19th edition of the Solo Maître CoQ with very different prerequisites: the experienced Hamburg soloist Jörg Riechers and newcomer Susann Beucke are two of 33 men and women who are fighting for a good start to the Figaro3 season in the French medium-distance classic over 320 nautical miles and two nights. The starting signal is given today, Tuesday, at 11am.

For Riechers, his Figaro races under the Alva Yachts flag during the construction of his new Imoca yacht for the Vendée Globe 2024 mean intensive training at a high level. After two months of power training with the Pôle La Rochelle, the team around 53-year-old Riechers calls this first regatta start "the moment of truth". Click here for the Figaro introductory video by Jörg Riechers (please click!). The scene is eager to see how the professional from Hamburg, who lives in France and is married, can position himself at the season opener.

"Reaching the finish line is the goal"

Susann Beucke's omens are completely different: the 49erFX silver medallist at the Olympic Games got on a Figaro for the first time this year, completed a tough winter training programme and is starting her new sailing career with the solo Maître CoQ with the Vendée Globe as her long-term goal. The 30-year-old's goals are correspondingly modest, as she told YACHT online shortly before the start: "I'm in good shape, but I'm also pretty excited. Crossing the finish line is the goal. There are so many obstacles on the course: the Île de Rhé, lots of fishing boats, lobster baskets... Above all, I want to be on point with my navigation." Beucke prepared at the Lorient Grand Large offshore regatta centre with the "trainees" in the Figaro class. Now she can finally show what she can do in competition for the first time.A portrait of Susann Beucke by author Andreas Wolfers can be read in the current issue of YACHT 9/2022.

In addition to Susann Beucke, four other female skippers - Elodie Bonafous, Violette Dorange, Chloé Le Bars and Charlotte Yven - are also taking part. 28 men, including Jörg Riechers, one of the mile kings, will be setting off on the challenging solo round, from which they are expected back on 21 April. Two inshore races on 22 and 23 April off Port Olona in Les Sables d'Olonne form the final chords of this French week under the sign of the Figaros. Click here for course and tracking (please click!).