56th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Leg 1 Overall
by La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 11 Sep 2025 13:42 BST
30 August - 27 September 2025
Many were hoping to claim victory in the opening leg of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, but the honours went to Alexis Loison (Groupe REEL), who took the win with a race time of 3 days, 18 hours, 55 minutes, and 26 seconds.
Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper Macif 2025) and Charlotte Yven (Skipper Macif 2023) completed the podium. For the second time in his career, and after 19 participations, Normandy sailor Alexis Loison secures another victory, following his 2014 triumph in Plymouth.
By sailors' accounts, this leg ranks among the most memorable in the history of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. The red, salt-stung eyes at the finish pontoon and the stories told with the intensity they lived through once again underline why this race is considered one of the toughest.
Always at the front during the 638 nautical miles of this varied course, Alexis Loison struck at just the right moment, before the final of four English Channel crossings. An exercise he knows perfectly—one that certainly made the difference.
I've been dreaming of winning another leg for ten years, and it kept slipping away. I had plenty of chances, but this time everything lined up until the end. It wasn't easy, I had a pack chasing me the whole time. The race kept flipping; sometimes I was well placed, sometimes not, but each time I managed to reposition. When I finally took the lead, I told myself they'd have to come and get me. Hugo came back really strong at the end. I don't know about the others, but I'm exhausted. We really got shaken up at the finish. It was heavy going. At Portland Bill, I was the first to head into it, and I could hear the others warning over the VHF that it was rough. I'm super happy with how I managed this leg—it was a beautiful one. We never had a moment's rest. Every time I tried to lie down, something was happening. In the Figaro circuit, the young sailors don't wait before they're good—that's why there's always a fight. That's why I'm still here," said Alexis Loison on the dock.
Though his joy was clear, the fatigue in his eyes betrayed the effort. He covered a total distance of 731.6 miles at an average speed of 7.84 knots.
Like Loison, Hugo Dhallenne yo-yoed in the rankings, but thanks to his ability to regroup and a better approach to a buoy and his direct competitors, the Skipper Macif 2025 finished second, 15 minutes and 32 seconds behind Loison.
"It feels really good. The goal for La Solitaire was to make the podium, and it's already checked off in the first leg. Now I need a new objective! We had all kinds of conditions—wind, then no wind, we got battered, then a calm last night before arriving here. And with a little help from the Roscoff current, it worked! Big thanks to Dominic Vittet for the roadbook on Roscoff's currents. We're a team (with Charlotte), and both of us on the podium—that's what matters. I didn't always follow the plan perfectly, but in the end I did. Alexis is a tough competitor, he's part of the furniture here, so we were expecting his victory!" commented Hugo Dhallenne.
One Macif skipper can hide another
Just 5 minutes and 39 seconds later, Charlotte Yven (Skipper Macif 2023) crossed the finish line to claim third place in the Rouen > Bay of Morlaix leg. Charlotte set her own pace, often in the lead and very active at key moments. She covered 717.17 miles at an average speed of 7.86 knots over the ground.
"I'm super happy to reach the podium. I think all three of us had unfinished business with Roscoff. It feels amazing to arrive home, see so many people on the dock, and finish third after such a tough leg. It was incredible—I'm over the moon. Thank you for the amazing welcome. I managed to sleep a little on the return leg from England, I found the right trim, and thank goodness because the rest of the race was really intense—it felt like four races in one. Even if you try not to think about it during the race, at one point I told myself it might actually work out. But we know—especially in Roscoff—that until the line is crossed, anything can happen. I kept the drive until the very end. Luckily, it was Hugo who passed me on the line—the last squall caught me on the wrong side, it could have been much worse! I'm very happy both of us are on the podium, it's a great start for the rest of the race and sets up a promising edition," said Charlotte Yven.
Jules Ducelier (Région Normandie) and Arno Biston (Article.1) crossed the line just 32 seconds apart, completing the first Top 5 of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec.
The Rookie and International Trophies
2024 winner Tom Dolan (Kingspan) finished sixth, 45 minutes and 57 seconds behind the leader, taking the Vivi Trophy, awarded to the best non-French skipper.
Yvon Larnicol (Auray - Quiberon by Orlabay), seventh overall, was the first rookie, finishing 46 minutes and 51 seconds behind Alexis Loison. As top rookie, he takes the Bénéteau Rookie Trophy.
"First of all, I'd like to congratulate Arthur Meurisse, he led almost the entire race. We swapped places once or twice, but he was impressive. I had a bit of luck at the end, but I'm really happy. We were often sailing alongside the others—Alexis a bit further ahead—but I really enjoyed it. It's very satisfying to see where we have gaps, but still manage to keep up. I never imagined this, especially with the tough conditions. I didn't break or tear anything, so I'm pleased, though there were definitely highs and lows," said Yvon at the finish.
The Défi Paprec - a learning ground
La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec—organized by OC Sport Pen Duick—offers the chance for double-handed crews to compete in the full first leg under the same conditions. A fantastic opportunity for skippers considering a future entry in the solo race.
Benoit Calixte and Joseph Cloarec on Medi Tera Bella for Pure Ocean won the Défi Paprec, ahead of Kieran Leborne and Eric Peron on French Touch - Innoveo. Marin Carnot and Stéphane Maisse on Fondation Jérôme Lejeune completed the podium. It's very likely these skippers will one day line up solo in this offshore racing classic.
Now it's time for rest and repairs before Sunday's start of the second leg, from the Bay of Morlaix to Vigo. This leg promises strong winds with a depression moving into the Bay of Biscay and off the coast of Brittany.
*subject to jury