It's official - Fabien Delahaye (right) has won the first stage of the Figaro Solitaire, to Caen in Normandy, his home town and main sponsor.
In tricky light winds and strong tides, clearly local knowledge paid off in the end, as Fabien pulled out on Gildas Morven to win by 10 minutes. Fabien is pictured aboard Pippa with met guru David Lanier last week before the start at Perros-Guirec. Next is Ireland, in what promise to be rather different conditions!
Meanwhile, I head for Treguier...
Steve Fraser
Submitted on 2nd August 2011