This August Ireland be represented by Paul O Rian in one of the most challenging single handed yacht races “Le Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro” (The Figaro). The race format consists of four races from/to France, Ireland & Spain during the month of August. Paul is currently in France undertaking the massive task of putting his campaign together, while trying to fit in time for boat preparation and training.
Paul has sailed since he was 6 years of age being introduced to the sport by his father. He switched over to windsurfing from an early age and spent many of his formative years as a windsurfer and water-skier traveling the world & competing at local, national and international competitions.
He later set up a number of Windsurfing Schools in the West of Ireland and Dublin, most notably the watersports centre Surfdock which he set up when was in his early 20's
In more recent times Paul has been drawn back to sailing and has logged 18,000 nautical miles racing, cruising and delivering boats on a professional basis worldwide including a transatlantic and crewing on the Super Maxi Alfa Romeo in 2003. He spent many years campaigning his 1720 "Vision" in which he won last years 1720 Docklands Liffey Challenge and crewed for Peter O'Leary in 2006 when he won the ISA All Ireland Sailing Championships.
Other successes of note include winning the J24 Midlands Championships in 2002, his first ever in a J24 and as helm and competing in two Round Irelands, one onboard IMP with George Radley Jnr coming 3rd in 1994 and with the Lt Mick Liddy & the Irish Aer Corp Team in 2002
He has now left his job to commit totally to the Figaro program. The course for La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro 2007 follows the Solitaire’s long tradition, made up of 4 legs between three countries. France, Ireland and Spain are the countries and will be covered in 13 days at sea and 1,876 nautical miles. The current edition will not only stop over and restart in Ireland after its first leg, but also use the Famous Fastnet Lighthouse as a mark (turning point) for the 1st & 3rd legs.
More campaign details at;http://www.pauloriain.com/
