La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Leg 3 Start
by La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 31 May 16:10 BST
13 May - 7 June 2026
The Final Departure
The moment of truth has arrived for all 36 skippers competing in the final leg of the 2026 La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. This Sunday evening at 7:00 PM, the 36 sailors taking part in the 57th edition will set sail from Pornichet bound for Le Havre.
The crossing promises to be as demanding as it is decisive, with the overall standings more open than ever and only minimal gaps separating the contenders for overall victory. Will Tom Dolan be able to repeat the feat he achieved two years ago? The answer will come next Thursday...
After two fiercely contested opening stages, everything remains to play for. The leaders are separated by only a few minutes, and every strategic decision, manoeuvre and weather-related choice could dramatically alter the overall rankings. More than ever, this final showdown will be a matter of skill, commitment and composure under pressure.
The opening miles should allow the fleet to remain relatively compact along the Atlantic coastline in manageable conditions. However, as they make their way north toward the English Channel, the scenario is expected to change significantly. The skippers will have to contend with a strong south-westerly flow, rough seas and more demanding sailing conditions, particularly as they approach the English coast and then make the final crossing of the Channel.
Beyond the battle for overall victory, the stakes concern the entire fleet. Every position in the general classification remains valuable, and many skippers will be determined to gain those final minutes that could transform their sporting outcome.
Tom Dolan (Kingspan) will need to hold his nerve over the entire 630-nautical-mile course if he hopes to claim his second victory in La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. However, six skippers are within two hours of the Irish sailor, all hoping to win the stage with a sufficient margin to secure overall victory. Will it be Nicolas Lunven (PRB), Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean), Paul Loiseau (Région Bretagne - CMB Espoir), Paul Morvan (Foricher - French Touch), Martin Le Pape (Paprec), or Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire) who achieves this feat? The first arrivals in Le Havre are expected on Thursday morning. As the days pass, the tension will continue to build, making the race tracker an increasingly compelling way to follow the action.
The overall standings before the start of Stage 3 can be found here.
Sailors' Comments
Tom Dolan (Kingspan), Overall Leader After Two Stages with a Total Elapsed Time of 7 Days, 20 Hours, 8 Minutes and 46 Seconds
"I'm approaching this final stage with a great sense of calm. Although the course looks different from the previous ones, there are still many strategic decisions to be made, both on the way up and down the Channel. Between the options around traffic separation schemes, sail choices and managing strong winds, there will be plenty of opportunities to make a difference.
Physically, I'm not feeling particularly fresh. The second stage was quite demanding with very little sleep, especially due to two stormy nights that made recovery difficult. The stopover was also short. I think the entire fleet is experiencing the same level of fatigue, but I've focused heavily on recovery over the last few hours so that I can start this stage in the best possible condition.
Being at the top of the overall standings doesn't really change my approach. I want to continue doing exactly what has worked since the start: focusing on my process, my preparation, my decisions and my sailing. The rankings are what they are, but I prefer to stay focused on what I can control rather than on my competitors. I've been in this situation before and learned that there is no point in sailing while constantly watching others. My goal is simply to make the right decisions at the right time, stay true to my convictions and let the result take care of itself. This final stage promises to be exciting and intense. Despite the fatigue, I can't wait to battle it out one last time before reaching Le Havre."
Nicolas Lunven (PRB), Second Overall, 3 Minutes and 38 Seconds Behind the Leader
"I'm feeling good after this stopover. I was able to recover, and naturally the outcome of the first two stages has been very positive. Honestly, things have gone even better than I expected. Everything is running smoothly for both me and PRB, and I want to keep that momentum going during this third stage. Whatever happens now, I feel I have already achieved a large part of my objective.
Returning to La Solitaire du Figaro after nearly ten years away, discovering a boat that I was not yet fully comfortable with, and finding myself in this position in the standings today is something I never imagined. That's why I'm approaching this final stage with a lot of serenity.
Of course, being well placed in the overall rankings is satisfying, but I don't feel any particular pressure. Even if things were to go less well on the way to Le Havre, this edition would still be a great success for me.
This final stage looks very different from the previous ones. The first started in strong winds before becoming much more complex near Vigo. The second was almost entirely raced in light airs. This time we will face a variety of conditions, with moderate winds at the start, a lighter patch in the Bay of Biscay, and then a faster, more demanding downwind finish. In the end, this Solitaire will have offered us just about every possible scenario, making it a particularly complete edition.
I'm very happy to be back in the race and now I want to enjoy this final stage all the way to Le Havre."
Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean), Third Overall, 24 Minutes and 59 Seconds Behind Tom Dolan
"I'm approaching this final stage in the same way as the previous ones, staying focused on my own race. Based on the current forecasts, I don't think there will be huge gaps at the finish, but in my view the key will be managing rest well during the first part of the course.
Then, from the exit of the Ushant Traffic Separation Scheme onwards, we should face long hours of very demanding sailing all the way to Le Havre, with strong winds, cross seas and plenty of fast spinnaker surfing. These are conditions that I really enjoy. In situations like these, experience can make the difference, but mistakes can also be very costly. We'll need to find the right balance between attack and caution while giving everything we have, since it's the final stage.
Even though the overall standings are very tight, I mainly want to ignore my competitors and focus on my own race. We saw again in the previous stage that it is possible to make up lost ground during the final hours.
So far, I'm really enjoying this Solitaire. It's always a pleasure to be racing at the front of the fleet and to have secured my first stage podium in this event.
For this final stage, my main wish is simply to enjoy myself, make the most of some great spinnaker surfing and, of course, achieve the best possible result in a race where several skippers can still claim overall victory."
Paul Loiseau (Région Bretagne - CMB Espoir), Leading Rookie and Fourth Overall, 33 Minutes and 11 Seconds Behind the Leader
"I'm approaching this final stage with the same excitement as the previous ones. Before this Solitaire started, I mainly wondered whether I would be able to sustain this level of intensity over several days at sea. Today, I have my answer: I know I'm in the fight and capable of performing over four days of racing.
Naturally, the overall standings are starting to occupy a small place in my mind. Until now I hadn't paid much attention to them, but being fourth, only a few minutes from the podium and still within reach of the leader, is very motivating. For a first participation, finding myself competing for the overall rankings is already a wonderful surprise. Normally it takes several editions to reach this level. I'm trying to make the most of the situation without putting unnecessary pressure on myself.
My objective remains to continue sailing as I have since the start of the race. I definitely don't want to change my approach now. I need to stay true to my choices, enjoy myself and race without overthinking. If I start changing the way I sail because of the standings, I risk losing what has made me successful so far.
This final stage will be very different from the previous one. Meteorologically, the scenario appears clearer, but the conditions are expected to be far more physically demanding. Since this is the last leg, everyone will give everything they have and dig deep into their reserves. My main challenge is therefore to arrive as fresh as possible at the point where the race really accelerates. I'm placing a strong emphasis on recovery, naps and weather preparation so that I can then give everything on the water.
I want to fight at the front right to the finish and, who knows, perhaps secure a podium place in the overall standings. That would be something exceptional for a first participation."
A Perfect Weather Setup for a Final Stage
Weather will be at the heart of this final stage. The sailors have spent the weekend refining their routes and adapting their plans according to the forecasts. However, once at sea they will no longer have access to these weather files and will have to rely solely on a general weather briefing, adding an extra layer of difficulty. This crucial weather analysis allows sailors to develop and refine their strategy as conditions evolve.
"The third stage of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec will begin in ideal conditions with a 15-knot westerly wind, allowing for a fast run south and a fleet that should remain closely grouped during the opening hours. From Monday onwards, sailors will have to deal with a large area of light winds in the Bay of Biscay, creating opportunities for tactical decisions and the first significant separations.
The situation will intensify considerably during the night from Monday to Tuesday with the passage of a cold front generating gusts of 30 to 35 knots, heavy rain and rough seas. On Tuesday and Wednesday, skippers will continue to face demanding conditions between Brittany and the English Channel, with sustained winds of 20 to 25 knots, gusts regularly exceeding 30 knots and a significant sea state.
The final crossing of the English Channel toward Le Havre is expected to be particularly challenging, with strong reaching conditions, confused seas and physically exhausting sailing. This stage is likely to be decided as much by strategic choices in the light winds of the Bay of Biscay as by the sailors' ability to maintain their pace in the tough conditions of the Channel," analyses Cyrille Duchesne, Head of Meteorological Services at Météo Consult.
To follow the sailors' progress, head to the race tracker: www.lasolitaire.com/cartographie