Nobody could pretend the Solitaire du Figaro yacht race has the people of Kinsale sitting on the edge of their seats. They're much too sophisticated for that and anyway it's not a spectator sport. But this is one of the world's most prestigious and longest-established yacht races, sponsored by France's leading newspaper at a cost of £1.1 million, and the arrival of the dashing single-handed sailors, men and women, definitely adds a further festive dimension to a place that fairly hums at the worst of times. It also adds to Kinsale's tourism cachet. The weekend's media entourage comprised 21 television and radio reporters, print journalists and photographers. Race-reports feature as top television news items in France and broadcasts are also relayed further afield.
Around the marina last weekend, it was impossible to miss the 60-plus bunting-bedecked boats - many bearing the names of very expensive consumables - or the 340-tonne French naval vessel accompanying the race. Guided tours in halting English were on offer to all. On Saturday evening, there was a free, open-air concert in Market Square. Yesterday afternoon, Acton's Hotel offered two on-the-lawn jazz sessions, while a brass band entertained mammies and daddies, and babies in buggies on the quayside. The pubs and restaurants were full to the gunwhales.
eme Restaurant and Bar ran a Elvis night and was offering "Suspicision" cocktails to bemused tourists (and no, absolute nobody had a clue as to what was in them). The Blue Haven and Man Friday restaurants were proving particularly popular with the French visitors. Pubs like such as the Shanakee, stet the Spaniard, the 1601 and the Greyhound were full to the gunwales. And walking against the crowds streaming towards the White Lady
Meanwhile, at Kinsale Yacht Club staff were virtually on 24hour duty providing refreshments for the French, Spanish, Italian and Irish competitors, many of who had had no sleep for up to 72 hours on the 330mile Brest-to-Kinsale leg of this four-week, 1,447-mile marathon, zig-zagging between France, Spain and Ireland.
Two of the 51 competitors are women. One, Florence Arthaud (39), a household name in France, found herself signing autographs for French tourists whenever she took a stroll down town. Although she has won several international competitions and is a world-record holder, this is her first year taking part in this race. Even though she was lying in 22nd place, she wasn't down-hearted, describing the race as "good experience for my upcoming, world-record challenge".
Making history of a different kind was Damian Foxhall (28) from Kinsale Yacht Club, the first Irish competitor. He was happy with his current position, 16th place after 1,128 miles "not including the bits where either the winds or the tides had me virtually going backwards".
He ascribes part of his success to the ability to catnap for 20-30 minutes at a time - and to drinking lots of carrot juice.
For Alain Gautier (35) this is his 13th race - and one he never thought he would see as he nearly died last year on the Ireland to France return leg. This year, he won the Brest-to-Kinsale leg. Another competitor, Michel Desjoyeaux (31), when asked why he had risked life and limb so many times, explained: "I fell in the water when I was young. Now it is like a drug. Nobody's perfect."
The race doctor, Jean Yves Chauve, is a world leader in developing a tele-medicine programme to enable doctors to communicate very specific treatments and operating procedures to non-medical people. He provides 24-hour medical care for the competitors, and broadcasts a Mastermind-style quiz each evening and sings and tells stories to keep them awake at critical times.
When in port, he and his team dispense medical care from his giant, inflatable clinic. Off-duty, he gives by far and away the best parties. Even on shore, it seems, none of these people ever sleeps.
