Mary Rook, Leg 1 – Landed
Landed! Very happy to be on dry land! Saw 52 knots several times and was above 40 for about 6 hours, biggest waves I have EVER seen, like tower blocks coming a you from every angle. We did have an amazing down wind section with the small kite up absolutely flying through the waves in…
Read MoreHugh Brayshaw, Leg 1, First Amateur
The Figaro class wanted to encourage fans to come to battle on the Figaro circuit and to do so, initiated a new classification reserved for pure amateurs. This does not mean that they do not have experience of competition, on the contrary! The notion of amateur is clear: anyone who is not paid to practice…
Read MoreThe 48th Hunger Games (La Solitaire du Figaro)
By Hugh Brayshaw | Skippers and officials It’s been my goal of the year, to make the start of the 48th La Solitaire du Figaro, and it is just around the corner. A 1700 mile offshore solo yacht race against 42 other boat including some of the best in the business. A true test of…
Read MoreThe Final Countdown
By Mary Rook | Dear Fabulous fans, as you may have guessed from my other social media postings the countdown has begun for the BIG race the Solitaire! We have been very busy at the Offshore Academy, especially our fabulous Figaro boat captain Joan, who has worked tirelessly to ensure we are where we are…
Read MoreBordeaux Bound
The Offshore Academy team of Mary Rook and Hugh Brayshaw arrived in Pauillac for the pre start activities of the 2017 La Solitaire URGO le Figaro. Today (Friday 26th) will see the 43 boat Solitaire fleet take part in a parade sail down the Gironde river, passing under the Pont Jacques Chaban Delmas Bridge into…
Read MoreLa Solitaire URGO le Figaro Official Programme
The Offshore Academy Renews Long Standing Partnership
The Offshore Academy, Britain’s only centre of excellence for solo and short handed yacht racing today announced the continuation of their long term partnership with the world’s leading, sailing clothing brand – Musto and new partner Red Funnel Ferries. Fielding two of the three British competitors in the 2017 Solitaire URGO le Figaro race The…
Read MoreKAMAT Joins Hugh Brayshaw for La Solitaire URGO le Figaro
The Offshore Academy’s, Hugh Brayshaw is proud to welcome on-board high pressure pump specialists KAMAT as an official partner to his 2017 La Solitaire URGO le Figaro campaign starting from Bordeaux, France on the 4th of June. As specialists in high pressure applications KAMAT develop and produce complex high pressure pump systems for multiple industrial…
Read MoreStage Two Commences at Solo Maitre Coq
With two intense days of coastal racing completed off the coast of Les Sables-d’Olonne the 40 boat Figaro fleet will this afternoon commence the challenging offshore stage of the 2017 Solo Maitre Coq. Leading the British contingent Academy alumni Alan Roberts on-board Seacat Services has had a good run of results so far in…
Read MoreThe Rookie Champion Returns for Solo Maitre Coq
Returning to the Figaro class for the first time in 2017 following his impressive debut season in 2016, Will Harris will take over the reins of The Offshore Academy for the Solo Maitre Coq, from Hugh Brayshaw who sits this one out to finalise his funding for June’s Solitaire URGO Le Figaro. Posting some impressive…
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