Solitaire du Figaro Final Leg Tightens in Light Winds

1st June 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Tight Margins — Figaro sailors race in close formation after rounding the BXA waypoint, with light winds and shifting breezes compressing the fleet on the decisive final leg Credit: Thomas Campion

"More than ever, the poker game is underway." The battle for victory in the final leg of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec remains wide open as light and unstable winds continue to compress the fleet. After spending hours trying to build an advantage, the frontrunners saw much of their hard-earned gains disappear as conditions at the mouth of the Gironde estuary reshuffled the leaderboard once again.

At the BXA waypoint, Alexis Thomas aboard Wings of the Ocean moved into the lead thanks to strong positioning. Tom Goron (Xplorassur) and Eliaz Morineau (Demain sans HPV) rounded out the top three. The opening stages of the leg have been shaped by light patches, shifting breezes and constant transitions. The demanding conditions have required relentless concentration from the solo sailors.

Thomas, who was first to leave Pornichet, has spent much of the race in close company with rivals. Despite taking the lead, the French skipper remains focused on managing his own race in a fleet where fortunes can change rapidly. The race remains exceptionally close.

Red Alert — Paul Cousin aboard Région Normandie powers through the light-air conditions under spinnaker as the tightly packed Solitaire du Figaro fleet heads north-west towards the Occidentale de Sein lighthouse. Photo: Thomas Campion

Nineteen competitors rounded BXA within just 20 minutes of each other, underlining how little separates the fleet after the opening phase of the stage. The sailors are now beating north-west towards the Occidentale de Sein lighthouse, some 210 nautical miles away. The long upwind stretch could prove decisive in determining the outcome of the leg.

For now, the weather continues to frustrate attempts to break clear.

According to forecasts from Météo Consult, light and variable winds are expected to persist before a frontal system arrives overnight. Behind it, a westerly breeze of around 20 knots is forecast to develop. That change could finally allow meaningful gaps to emerge as the Figaro 3 fleet returns to higher speeds.

Until then, precision remains critical. Competitors have spent much of the day glued to their helms, searching for every fraction of a knot in conditions where even the smallest adjustment can make a difference.

As night approaches, attention is turning to the arrival of the new breeze. Those who position themselves correctly for the weather transition could gain a decisive advantage. Those who miss it may see their hopes disappear in the wake of the leaders.

With the final leg entering a crucial phase, the tactical battle is only just beginning.

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Ireland & La Solitaire du Figaro

The Solitaire du Figaro, was originally called the course de l’Aurore until 1980, was created in 1970 by Jean-Louis Guillemard and Jean-Michel Barrault.

Half a decade later, the race has created some of France's top offshore sailors, and it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a new boat equipped with foils and almost 50 skippers Including novices, aficionados and six former winners.

The solo multi-stage offshore sailing race is one of the most cherished races in French sailing and one that has had Irish interest stretching back over 20 years due to the number of Irish stopovers, usually the only foreign leg of the French race.

What Irish ports have hosted The Solitaire du Figaro?

The race has previously called to Ireland to the following ports; Dingle, Kinsale, Crosshaven, Howth and Dun Laoghaire.

What Irish sailors have raced The Solitaire du Figaro?

So far there have been seven Irish skippers to participate in La Solitaire du Figaro.

In 1997, County Kerry's Damian Foxall first tackled the Figaro from Ireland. His win in the Rookie division in DHL gave him the budget to compete again the following year with Barlo Plastics where he won the final leg of the race from Gijon to Concarneau. That same year a second Irish sailor Marcus Hutchinson sailing Bergamotte completed the course in 26th place and third Rookie.

In 2000, Hutchinson of Howth Yacht Club completed the course again with IMPACT, again finishing in the twenties.

In 2006, Paul O’Riain became the third Irish skipper to complete the course.

In 2013, Royal Cork's David Kenefick raised the bar by becoming a top rookie sailor in the race.

In 2018, for the first time, Ireland had two Irish boats in the offshore race thanks to Tom Dolan and Joan Mulloy who joined the rookie ranks and kept the Irish tricolour flying high in France. Mulloy became the first Irish female to take on the race.

Tom Dolan in Smurfit Kappa competed for his third year in 2020 after a 25th place finish in 2019. Dolan sailed a remarkably consistent series in 2020 and took fifth overall, the best finish by a non-French skipper since 1997 when Switzerland’s Dominique Wavre finished runner up. Dolan wins the VIVI Trophy.

Dolan finished 10th on the first stage, 11th on the second and seventh into Saint Nazaire at the end of the third stage. Stage four was abandoned due to lack of wind.

Also in 2020, Dun Laoghaire’s Kenneth Rumball became the eleventh Irish sailor to sail the Figaro.

At A Glance – Figaro Race

It starts in June or July from a French port.
The race is split into four stages varying from year to year, from the length of the French coast and making up a total of around 1,500 to 2,000 nautical miles (1,700 to 2,300 mi; 2,800 to 3,700 km) on average.
Over the years the race has lasted between 10 and 13 days at sea.
The competitor is alone in the boat, participation is mixed.
Since 1990, all boats are of one design.