The Défi Paprec, Gateway to the Elite
by La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 12 May 12:25 BST
13 May - 7 June 2026
La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec © OC Sport Pen Duick
Few offshore sailing races in the world can claim to offer skippers the opportunity to measure themselves against the very highest level of competition in real-life conditions.
For the third consecutive year, OC Sport Pen Duick and the Paprec Group are giving young sailors the chance to race alongside the men and women competing in La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec — with one key difference: they race double-handed. A format that is proving hugely attractive to the next generation of aspiring skippers. Welcome aboard for a truly unique experience!
On Sunday, May 17, the six duos competing in the third edition of the Défi Paprec will also set sail from Perros-Guirec for a single-leg race to Vigo, Spain. A 610-nautical-mile offshore challenge that promises to leave a lasting impression and inspire future vocations. All of them share the same ambition: to join this unique — yet highly demanding — pathway to elite offshore racing.
But before heading offshore, their time in the race village at Perros-Guirec, host town of the 57th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, is also a key part of the experience. The atmosphere on the docks and in the race village, interactions with other skippers, boat preparers, media and the public, the pressure steadily building day after day, and the unmistakable anticipation before the liberating starting gun — all these moments are an integral part of a race of this magnitude. For four days, these up-and-coming sailors will have to manage life ashore while keeping their minds firmly focused on the sea ahead.
From double-handed racing to solo sailing: feedback from experience
In 2024, Pierrick Le Touzé took part in the very first edition of the Défi Paprec. This year, he joins the main fleet of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec for the first time:
"In 2024, I had the chance to compete in the Défi Paprec with Lola Billy. It was a real opportunity for us to discover the circuit, and I had never sailed a Figaro before. Two years later, I'm finally lining up for La Solitaire, and I already have a good understanding of what it's like — at least over a typical leg. I already have some experience of how things work offshore, with radio check-ins, fleet management and sleep management, even though we were racing double-handed. It's incredibly valuable and it allows me to arrive feeling a bit more reassured, if I can put it that way. There are far fewer unknowns for me now. It's truly exceptional to be able to experience this, and I hope it continues for many years to come."
In 2025, Lola Billy also competed in her first La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec as a rookie, finishing in 26th place. For his own debut, Pierrick Le Touzé (Normandy Offshore Program) will line up alongside nine other rookies.
A strong attraction to the Figaro pathway
While some competitors are new to offshore racing, several sailors coming from the Olympic sailing pathway have already experienced long-distance races and transatlantic crossings, such as Tiphaine Rideau, who competed in the 2025 Transat Paprec. That first experience completely reshaped her vision for her sporting future.
Paired with Elouan Barnaud aboard Habitat et Humanisme, she shared her thoughts on this first immersion in the Défi Paprec:
"I launched my project this year and my goal is to race La Solitaire in 2027. The Défi is the ideal race to begin with because we sail double-handed while following the exact same course as the solo sailors. We are immediately thrown into the deep end, including our presence in the race village, just like them. It perfectly matched my season objectives and what I wanted to work on. I'm really happy to have this opportunity to compete in the Défi.
I come from the Olympic sailing pathway and was originally heading toward an Olympic campaign. I discovered offshore racing quite early, considering I'm only 20 years old. Once I discovered offshore sailing, I realized that it was truly what I wanted to do. I raced Minis and competed in the Transat Paprec last year in Figaro, which led me to join a project. Since then, the transatlantic race confirmed that this is exactly what I want to pursue.
The Figaro class perfectly matches what I love because the one-design concept is similar to what I experienced in dinghy sailing: everyone competes on equal terms, and that's what I enjoy. The competition is extremely intense — we're all very close to one another and the overall standard is incredibly high. I still have a lot of room for improvement."
Eliott Coville will race aboard Auray Quiberon by orlabay alongside Thomas Dinas: "For us, this Défi is the culmination of our entire start to the season because La Solitaire comes early this year. Thomas, my skipper for this event, and I have tried to prepare as best we can. This is really our main double-handed Figaro objective this season. It's simply incredible to be able to start just behind the solo sailors, knowing that in the coming years we would like to race this event ourselves. It's going to be fantastic.
The Figaro series is just insane. We all sail the same boat and race at an incredibly high level — it's hugely educational. Two weeks ago at the BPGO Trophy, we completed more than 70 tacks less than 15 metres from the rocks, with 35 boats on the water — it was unbelievable. And then there's the sheer intensity of the racing: everyone pushes flat out. We're still discovering the rhythm required and where to place the cursor.
This Défi Paprec experience is incredible, and seeing the fleet of solo sailors really makes me want to join them one day — perhaps through an official pathway."
International competitors answer the call
In this third edition of the Défi Paprec, two international crews will compete against four French teams. Racing aboard Amelicor, Croatian sailor Ivica Kostelic will team up with Turkish sailor Deniz Bagci.
World slalom champion in 2003 and winner of the Crystal Globe during the 2010-2011 season, Ivica Kostelic is also a four-time Olympic silver medallist across three different Olympic Games. After his extraordinary skiing career, the Croatian turned to sailing. His first major offshore experience came in the Class40 category during the 2011 Transat Jacques Vabre. Alongside Antoine Calliste, the duo finished in 17th place.
The growing international appeal of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec — and its openness to athletes from other sporting backgrounds — is undeniable. Germany's Jens Meieer and New Zealander Oakley Marsh aboard Chipmunk will also aim to gain this invaluable experience before eventually stepping into the demanding world of solo offshore racing themselves. Their participation once again highlights the race's international reach.
Ivica Kostelic explained: "It's a very good initiative from the Figaro Class and OC Sport Pen Duick to open a leg of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec to sailors who want to discover the class in double-handed format. For those aiming to compete in La Solitaire in the future, I think it's an excellent idea. It's a real advantage.
I would like to race the Aventura Race at the end of August and my main goal is to compete in the Transat Paprec next year. The Figaro class is the only true one-design offshore class. It is extremely competitive and you can learn an enormous amount. Our goal is to achieve a podium finish."
The start of the Défi Paprec will be given on May 17 from Perros-Guirec, 15 minutes after the fleet of 36 Figaro sailors sets off. The outcome of this "race within the race" will be decided in Vigo after an intense offshore passage where seamanship, tactics and endurance will be the key ingredients.
A unique experience that will leave unforgettable memories — and almost certainly an irresistible desire to return one day, solo this time, to measure themselves against the elite of offshore racing.
The official race village for the 57th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec will open tomorrow, Wednesday May 13 at 2:00 pm in Perros-Guirec. Free and open to all, it will welcome visitors every day from Wednesday to Sunday in a festive and friendly atmosphere on the harbour. Following the arrival parade, the Figaro Beneteau 3 fleet will remain moored alongside until the official race start on Sunday.
Find the entertainment programme for Perros-Guirec on the event website.