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Up to 45 of the world's top solo offshore sailors will be arriving in Cowes in June 2016, when the town plays host to an international race. The Solitaire du Figaro is a gruelling 1,500 nautical mile French race, from Deauville to La Rochelle. Considered to be the world championships of solo offshore racing. Sailors who know the race well are Southampton based Alan Roberts and Jack Bouttelle from the Artemis Offshore Academy. They were the highest places Brits in the 2015 race, finishing 9th and 10th respectively. They told Â鶹Éç Radio Solent's Neil Sackley, the Solitaire du Figaro is hugely important for the students from the academy.