For her first participation to the single-handed race La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro, the young australian Liz Wardley has realized a wonderful performance, finishing 14th out of the 52 skippers, of the first leg from Caen to Portsmouth in England.
Passing the line only 11 minutes and 12 seconds after the winner Yann Elies (Generali), she enters the Figaro circuit as a great skipper, second rookie right after Jean-Luc Nelias (Chauss’Europ) who is an Open 60 experienced sailor, even if this is his first participation too. Liz who has discovered the Figaro one-design just a few days before the start of the Solo Generali race learns quick and well !
Without taking care of the others close to her and not being impressed by the Figaro circuit leaders, she made her own route avoiding the Channel tricks as currents and very light winds.
Modest and determined, this nice little woman is one of these great sailors who should be among the good one during La Solitaire, she already proved it.
As she has finished ahead of the big names of the circuit : Morvan, de Broc, de Pavant…Liz very happy and surprised tells us her comments in Portsmouth : « I didn’t take a good start in Caen. I was aware of that but I knew it would be long and I would have to make my boat go fast. Wind has been very unstable in force and shifty all along the leg. There was a lot of fog and I didn’t really know my position among the others as the satellite didn’t get it. I just had to make my own race. Rounding the mark Royal Sovereign in 22nd position, I was very happy. Then I stayed close to the coast. We all arrived very close each others with opposite tide, and then we finished with a good stream which was the same for everybody. I knew I was in the right group and I stayed concentrate until the finish line. I almost didn’t sleep, maybe 45 minutes maximum in 5 times, just to have a break with the boat and the race and have a quick rest. I learnt a lot again on this race, sailing always as fast as possible, looking at my sails. I am very happy of my result and if I was told, 2 months ago, before having my figaro campaign on, I would be in the first 15 skippers at the first leg, I wouldn’t have believed it ! »
After a 2 days break in Portsmouth, Kookaï-eol will be at the start line Friday 30th July, for the 2nd leg to go to Saint Gilles Croix de Vie in Vendée, 463nm.
