Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine Pipe Glands

Tom Dolan reflects on his 2024 Figaro season

by Tom Dolan 22 Oct 2024 12:52 BST
Ireland's Tom Dolan (Smurfit Kappa-Kingspan) wins 55th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec overall © Alexis Courcoux

With the 2024 Figaro programme drawing to a close, it is the perfect time to take stock of the past season, which will remain etched in my memory in more ways than one. It has been full of challenges and lessons but it is the achievements, which have taken centre stage.

The Solitaire du Figaro was the highlight of these past few months and securing victory in this legendary race is so much more than just a sporting success. It is the culmination of several years of unremitting work, resilience and moments of doubt, where passion and enthusiasm won out in the end!

Beyond the competition aspect, I'm also proud to announce an initiative that is very close to my heart: recycling the boat's used sails. As a skipper, I'm very attached to the sea and it's crucial for me to help preserve this environment, which gives us so much. Transforming old sails into recycled products is a way for me and for my sponsors Smurfit Kappa and Kingspan to get involved in this sustainable approach and show that it is possible for us to combine performance and a deep respect for our environment.

I'd like to the make the most of this opportunity to thank all my partners, and especially my sponsors Smurfit-Kappa, Kingspan and Dubarry. Your commitment has been a huge source of motivation for me and without you, this victory in the Solitaire du Figaro, as well as the whole of the past season, would not have been possible.

I would also like to thank the entire community following my progress. Your support has been a powerful driver, even in the toughest of times. It's a privilege to share my genuine passion of sailing with you. You've inspired me to constantly take my performance to the next level and to raise my game right across the board!

Tom Dolan
Skipper of the boat Smurfit Kappa - Kingspan

Related Articles

Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour Cagliari overall
Team Aeronautica Militare wins The Aeronautica Militare team wins the Cagliari stage, ahead of the Verein Seglerhaus Am Wannsee team and the Circolo Nautico Sanbenedettese team, which came in third. Posted today at 4:18 pm
Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour Cagliari day 2
Today in Cagliari, the awards ceremony for the stage winners At the Regatta Village, preparations are under way for the closing ceremony of the Cagliari stage scheduled for this evening at 9:30 pm, preceded by a concert by the Banda della Brigata Sassari. Posted on 2 Jul
Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour Cagliari day 1
The Circolo Nautico Sanbenedettese team was the first to arrive in Cagliari The Circolo Nautico Sanbenedettese team was the first to arrive in Cagliari and win the first offshore leg in Sardinia. Posted on 1 Jul
Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour Trapani day 3
Team Verein Seglerhaus Am Wannsee wins in Trapani, now heading to Sardinia The Verein Seglerhaus Am Wannsee team won the Trapani stage after about 54 hours of navigation in the offshore category, preceding the Aeronautica Militare team and the Royal Madras team who came in third. Posted on 28 Jun
Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour Trapani day 2
In Trapani, the Royal Madras team was 1st in the offshore race. The Royal Madras team was the first to arrive in Trapani and win the offshore leg, followed by the Verein Seglerhaus Am Wannsee and Aeronautica Militare teams. Posted on 26 Jun
Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour Trapani day 1
Leaving the Ionian Sea behind them, yesterday early evening the boats passed Portopalo A route of about 200 miles that will take the Figaro3 of the Marina Militare Nastro Tour 2025 from Syracuse to Trapani for the sixth stage, the second in Sicily. Posted on 25 Jun
Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour Siracusa overall
Team Verein Seglerhaus Am Wannsee wins in Siracusa The Verein Seglerhaus Am Wannsee team wins the Siracusa leg in the offshore category, after 37 hours of sailing and with only one minute and twenty-one seconds of difference from the Ocean Cruising Club team that came in second. Posted on 23 Jun
Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour Siracusa day 1
In Siracusa for the fifth leg and the first island stage The Nastro Rosa Tour lands in Sicily, in Syracuse, for the fifth stage, the first island stage, which will be followed by Trapani, Cagliari and La Maddalena. Posted on 21 Jun
Tom Dolan's 2025 so far
From victory to vision Tom kicked off 2025 with a strong, varied schedule — combining solo races, double-handed challenges, and a standout crewed performance. Posted on 20 Jun
Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Tour Catanzaro day 2
The Marina Militare Team wins in Catanzaro The Marina Militare team wins the Catanzaro stage in the offshore category. Having left Brindisi, after about 40 hours of navigation, the Navy's Figaro 3 crossed the finish line first, leaving behind the Guardia di Finanza team and the Royal Madras team. Posted on 19 Jun