La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Leg 3 - English Channel is showing all its harshness to competitors
by La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 3 Jun 15:43 BST
13 May - 7 June 2026
Today, the English Channel is showing all its harshness to the competitors of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec.
Exhausted after several days of intense racing, the sailors continue their climb towards the finish line in demanding conditions, facing constant humidity, strong winds and relentless pressure on the overall standings. With only a few hours remaining before the final verdict, nothing has been decided yet.
After rounding the tip of Brittany, the fleet entered the final phase of this decisive third leg. The scene this morning matched the stakes perfectly: grey skies, moisture-laden air and a lively sea state. Since then, occasional bursts of sunshine have accompanied the sailors as they make their way east through the Channel towards Le Havre, where the winner of the 2026 edition will be crowned.
Overall standings still under pressure
The night once again confirmed the extraordinary suspense that has defined the 2026 edition. Despite the hundreds of miles already sailed since the start, the gaps remain small enough to keep the battle for the overall classification wide open.
So, who will win the leg?
Following Tom Dolan's retirement, the main contenders have continued to keep a close eye on one another, albeit in a very different context, fully aware that even the slightest mistake could cost several positions. In this fast and highly technical Channel crossing, positioning has remained crucial, particularly approaching the final course changes and busy shipping lanes.
Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire) has kept the pressure on and was the first sailor to round the Hands Deep mark, just a few miles off Plymouth. Behind him, Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper Macif 2025) remains in contention and is aiming for another podium finish.
However, the real focus is now further back in the fleet. Third at the latest waypoint, Nicolas Lunven (PRB) appears to have a clear path towards overall victory in Le Havre. His closest rival, Alexis Thomas, has dropped to seventh place, trailing by 6.9 nautical miles. It is worth remembering that only 20 minutes separate the two sailors in the overall standings, in Lunven's favour.
Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean), Paul Morvan (Foricher - French Touch), Martin Le Pape (Paprec) and Paul Loiseau (Région Bretagne - CMB Espoir) remain outsiders in the race for a podium finish, unless Loïs Berrehar delivers one final masterstroke and claims victory in Le Havre. The Banque Populaire skipper currently trails Nicolas Lunven by 1 hour and 47 minutes in the overall rankings.
An edition marked by misfortune
This final leg will also be remembered for the numerous retirements that punctuated the race.
The most significant incident involved the retirement of Tom Dolan (Kingspan). Having led the leg for a long period and considered a serious contender for overall victory, the Irish sailor saw his hopes disappear after running aground off Île de Sein. A helicopter evacuation operation was subsequently required, bringing his Solitaire campaign to an abrupt end.
The incident deeply affected the fleet and served as a stark reminder of the demanding nature of this race, where accumulated fatigue and difficult conditions can rapidly turn a promising situation into a disaster scenario.
Following the retirement of Pier Paolo Dean (Banques Alimentaires) at 13:21 due to sail damage, the total number of retirements now stands at seven sailors.
After three weeks of racing, the 2026 edition has established itself as one of the closest and most demanding in recent years. Once again, La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec has demonstrated why it remains the benchmark event in solo offshore racing, where every mile sailed can change the course of a career and where the suspense never truly fades until the finish line is crossed.