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Each year the entry list for La Solitaire offers provides a great selection of sailors. Experience among the sailors accounts for, seven Around the World races (Vendée Globe, Jules Verne Trophy, The Race, Whitbread), more than 100 transatlantic race crossings (Route du Rhum, Transat Jacques Vabre, Québec-St Malo, Transat AG2R, BPE Trophy, Mini-Transat, etc.), five America's Cup, almost 30 Tour de France à la Voile, Fastnet, Sydney - Hobart, Rolex Cup, Match Racing, etc.

Among these 49 skippers, Charles CAUDRELIER (FRA), winner of the 2004 edition, will be defending his title. He will be competing against some of the best sailors of the Figaro Bénéteau circuit, Jérémie BEYOU (FRA), Yann ELIÈS (FRA), Sébastien AUDIGANE (FRA), Eric DROUGLAZET (FRA), Kito DE PAVANT (FRA). Both Michel DESJOYEAUX (FRA) and Armel LE CLÉAC'H (FRA) will be jumping boat, leaving their trimarans behind to compete in the race.

Some names have not appeared on the entry list for 15 years. Pierre MAS (FRA) last took part in 1990, and Cyril ROGNON (FRA), is back after 13 years.

Several newcomers to the race are also due on the start line: pharmacist, Stéphane SEVAUX, commercial director, Jacques EINHORN, manager, Laurent NABART and boat charter manager, Marc LEPESQUEUX.

This 36th edition welcomes in total, nine newcomers who will fight to win the Bénéteau Rookie ranking. Three women, Sam DAVIES (GBR), Jeanne GRÉGOIRE (FRA) and Liz WARDLEY (AUS), join the ranks, and overall there are sailors coming from four different nations: Germany, Great Britain, Australia and Italy.

The Main Dates

PERROS-GUIREC

Afflelou prologue: Friday 5 August at 18h30
Start 1st leg: Sunday 7 August at 11h00

GETXO-BILBAO

Expected arrival: Tuesday 9 August
Start 2nd leg: Friday 12 August at 12h00

LA ROCHELLE

Expected arrival: Sunday 14 August
Start 3rd leg: Wednesday 17 August at 17h00

CORK (CROSSHAVEN)

Expected arrival: Saturday 20 August
Start 4th leg: Tuesday 23 August at 11h00

PORT-BOURGENAY

Expected arrival: Friday 26 August
Afflelou closing race: Sunday 28 August at 15h00