THEY talk to the sun, they talk to the stars, they quote Thomas Hardy to "dim moon eyed" fish. Unfortunately, some 40 male francophones had only glum clouds and slack winds for company yesterday as they set off on the Solitaire du Figaro 1,600 mile single handed yacht race down the Irish Sea.
It's known as "the womb factor", this urge to sail away on long passages, all alone. A British singlehanded who became so exhausted in bad weather described once how he had a strong urge to curl up in the foetal position in his life raft.
He knew he would be happy in his cocoon, staring out at an angry sea, but attached snugly to his mother ship by you've guessed it his "umbilical cord".
Dominic Wavre (41), a professional sailor from Geneva, almost had to take to his liferaft last week during the first leg of this year's Figaro race up from Brittany to Howth.
During fresh to strong southerly winds, a wave knocked his 30 foot boat over. He was thrown out of the cockpit during the broach, and just managed to grab the rail.
At Howth marina yesterday he made light of his experience. Why does he do it? "Because I can only blame myself when I make the mistakes."
Now in its 27th Year, the single handed race sponsored by the French newspaper Le Figaro is regarded as one of the toughest on the European sailing calendar.
It has always included Ireland on the passage plan to France and back, but to date most of the entrants have been French. This time there were again no female entrants among the 41 strong fleet, which includes one Spaniard and two Swiss.
The rules are strict. Autopilots are permitted, but the engines on the one design 30 foot Beneteau craft are sealed. VHF radio contact is limited to race director and fellow crew.
The sailors may he lonely, but never completely alone. An Argos satellite tracking system pinpoints their every tack.
Alain Gautier (34) a professional sailor from near Lorient in south Brittany, is one of the living legends of the event. Not only has he competed in 13 of the 27 races, and won two of them he has also sailed solo round the world three times.
One of his favourite places, however, is Ireland, and he was here on a two week holiday with his family. Again, solitude is a factor. "I like it best here in winter, when you can have Dublin, Galway, to yourself."
Mr Francis Ennis, vice commodore of Howth Yacht Club, is anticipating a French invasion of sorts next year of the 260 berth marina. The event, complete with film shots of Ireland's Eye, has received widespread media coverage in France, Ms Anne Masseau of the race team said. She hoped to see the first Irish competitor in the event very soon.
Ireland already had a certain reputation, she said. "We come here and see your small children going out in dinghies in all weathers and we think you must be very, very tough."
