Skandia has become an official partner of the La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro for the 1979 mile race that will this year stop over in the British port of Portsmouth.

Skandia’s support means that two lucky rookies in this year’s race will share a prize of 5000 Euros plus the top placed rookie will win a trip to take part in Skandia Geelong Week, the venue for Australia’s oldest and largest regatta which is held near Melbourne in January.

As part of its extensive Set Sail portfolio of sponsorships, Skandia last year sponsored yachtswoman Sam Davies in her Rookie year competing in the Solitaire, in which she came second among the first time competitors. This year Sam will again sail her boat Skandia in the race and is hopeful of beating her overall position at the finishing line.

“We are delighted to join up with the Solitaire, particularly as our involvement means two newcomers to the race will be rewarded for their efforts in what is an extremely tough race,” says Andre Oszmann, Skandia’s Group Marketing Director. “Through our sponsorship of Sam Davies for last year’s Solitaire, we know just how challenging the course is and we are proud to be able to help give something back to two of the first-time competitors.”

This year’s Solitaire begins at Caen on 27th July and will arrive in Portsmouth on 28th July departing for St-Gilles-Croix-de-vie (Vendée) on 30th July. It continues to Gijon (Spain) and will finish on 15th August in Quiberon (Brittany). The race consists of four legs, varying between 160-460 miles long. Each leg takes between 1-4 days dependent on the weather.