Please select your home edition
Edition
Craftinsure 2023 LEADERBOARD

56th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Leg 1 Day 4

by La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 10 Sep 18:50 BST 30 August - 27 September 2025

After a lightning-fast Channel crossing this morning, the Figaro sailors have been kept busy with a succession of maneuvers and mark roundings.

A small relief in this constant back-and-forth across the Channel: the Needles Fairway buoy is the final course mark of this first leg, which is expected to conclude early Thursday morning in Roscoff, in the Bay of Morlaix.

At 09:57:14, Jules Delpech on P'TIT DUC rounded this last obstacle. He was followed 42 seconds later by Alexis Loison (Groupe REEL). Sadly, there's no time for sightseeing, even if the stunning white chalk cliffs of the Needles, at the western tip of the Isle of Wight, are worth a visit. After dropping their spinnakers, the sailors resumed sailing upwind in strong tidal currents that demanded the utmost caution. Hugging the English coastline, they tacked relentlessly through the bays lining the shore.

By 4 p.m., Alexis Loison was still in command of the fleet—perfect timing to launch the final crossing towards Roscoff. Less than 120 nautical miles remain for the Norman sailor to stake his claim and try to secure victory. Six competitors are currently sailing within a mile of each other: Jules Delpech (P'TIT DUC), Paul Morvan (French Touch - Foricher), Victor Le Pape (Région Bretagne - CMB Espoir), Tom Goron (Groupe Dubreuil), and Charlotte Yven (Skipper Macif 2023).

Pushing westward

For now, the sailors are all pushing hard to the west, awaiting the expected wind shift later in the afternoon—a tack that could allow them to pass west of the DST.

Although conditions remain manageable for the moment, the arrival of the front will make life on board considerably tougher. In this final sprint across the Channel, the sharpest and least fatigued sailors will come out on top. The ETA for the first arrivals in Roscoff is around 5 a.m.

Quotes:

"I'm not very comfortable in strong winds, but I'll do my best. Physically, I've managed to rest well since the start of the race. We're currently sailing along the English south coast. The wind will gradually strengthen, and it's going to get less and less fun. We've got 24 hours of rough weather ahead," said Chloé Le Bars (Endobreizh).

"With the English coast, you can play some tricks with the tide. Right now it's a bit of a battle with Romain Bouillard (Décrochons la lune). We're heading out on a long port tack, then we'll be able to make the course. Before the downwind section, I took advantage of a bit of calm to change clothes, sleep, and bail out the boat for more comfort," explained Eliaz Morineau (Demain sans HPV).

"For a first Solitaire, I'm super happy to be here. It's incredible. I'm a bit disappointed with my last night though. I'd managed a few good moves but made mistakes in the Channel. I'm a little behind, but the race is still on, I'm not far off. There are still a few fronts to cross today and tonight. It's still pretty cool heading into the finish—the game is wide open," commented Hugo Cardon (Sarth'Atlantique).

Follow the race tracker here: lasolitaire.geovoile.com/2025/tracker
Find out more at www.lasolitaire.com

Related Articles

Erica Lush finishes La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec
A major accomplishment for American offshore sailing American offshore sailor Erica Lush crossed the finish line of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2025's third leg Friday, officially completing one of the world's most prestigious solo offshore sailing regattas. Posted on 26 Sep
A true attraction for non-French skippers
Hard work, training, and perseverance in the 56th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec The excellence of the French solo racing pathway is increasingly attracting non-French skippers who want to come, learn, and train in a discipline that, for now, remains very French. Posted on 25 Sep
Tom Dolan retires from Solitaire du Figaro
Flying Irishman injured his arm just one hour into the opening stage Reigning Solitaire du Figaro Paprec champion Tom Dolan confirmed this morning that he will withdraw from the third and final leg of the solo offshore race due to an injury sustained early in Leg One. Posted on 21 Sep
Tom Dolan at Solitaire du Figaro Leg 2 Day 4
For the Irish skipper there's good news and bad news Day four of leg two started in light airs for most of the fleet. The leading bunch have passed Cape Finisterre, funneling through a mandatory checkpoint gate added by the race committee, and are closing in Vigo, around 40 miles to the south east. Posted on 19 Sep
Dolan makes western gamble in Solitaire du Figaro
Currently 56 nautical miles (103km) behind the leader Offshore racing is about making educated guesses. You read the forecast, make your plan and sail to it. Posted on 18 Sep
56th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Leg 2 day 3
Advantage to the Southerners On this second leg of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2025, between the Bay of Morlaix and Vigo in Spain, two options have taken shape over the past hours. Posted on 17 Sep
Dolan charges on in La Solitaire du Figaro Leg 2
The Kingspan skipper led a group that tacked out west around sunset As the second morning of Leg Two dawns, it's all about positioning out in the Bay of Biscay for the fleet of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. Posted on 17 Sep
Dolan at front of the pack in Solitaire du Figaro
The fleet are now crossing the Bay of Biscay in Leg 2 Irish sailor Tom Dolan is on the leading edge of the pack in the second leg of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, with 385 miles (~710 kilometres) remaining in the leg that will finish in Vigo, in northern Spain. Posted on 16 Sep
56th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Leg 2 start
After a 30-hour delay, the 34 sailors were finally able to head out to sea After a 30-hour delay, the 34 sailors competing in La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2025 were finally able to head out to sea and face the elements. At 7 p.m. this Monday, September 15, the starting gun was fired. Posted on 15 Sep
Dolan continues Figaro campaign despite injury
Leg 2 of the Solitaire du Figaro is set to start on Monday evening, after a 24-hour delay Irish Offshore Sailor Tom Dolan starts Leg 2 of the Solitaire du Figaro on Monday evening, after a 24-hour delay due to extreme winds. The 900km leg, delayed to allow dangerous sea conditions to ease, takes the fleet across the Bay of Biscay to Vigo. Posted on 15 Sep