English Channel Thriller Nears Figaro Race Conclusion

3rd June 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Title Tilt — Nicolas Lunven aboard PRB holds a strong position for overall victory as La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec heads towards its English Channel finish in Le Havre Credit: Thomas Campion

The final hours of the 2026 La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec are unfolding in demanding conditions in the English Channel, with the overall result still hanging in the balance.

After rounding Brittany, the fleet entered the decisive closing phase of the third leg. Grey skies, fresh winds and a lively sea state greeted the sailors as they headed east towards Le Havre. Despite hundreds of miles of racing, the margins remain remarkably tight.

Loïs Berrehar aboard Banque Populaire led the fleet around the Hands Deep mark off Plymouth. Hugo Dhallenne on Skipper Macif 2025 remained close behind and in contention for another podium finish.

Channel Charge — Loïs Berrehar aboard Banque Populaire led the fleet around the Hands Deep mark off Plymouth in the closing stage of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. Photo: Thomas Campion

Attention has also focused on Nicolas Lunven (PRB), who appears well-placed to secure an overall victory. Lunven was third at the latest waypoint, while his nearest rival, Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean), had slipped to seventh place, 6.9 nautical miles behind. Only 20 minutes separate the pair in the overall standings, leaving little room for error in the race to Le Havre.

Paul Morvan (Foricher – French Touch), Martin Le Pape (Paprec) and Paul Loiseau (Région Bretagne – CMB Espoir) remain in contention for podium positions as the fleet closes on the finish.

Podium Push — Paul Loiseau aboard Région Bretagne – CMB Espoir remains among the sailors chasing a podium place before the Le Havre finish. Photo: Thomas Campion

This year's race has also been defined by a series of retirements. As reported earlier on Afloat, the most notable was that of Irish skipper Tom Dolan (Kingspan), whose challenge ended after running aground off Île de Sein while leading the leg. Click here for the article.

Dolan, considered a strong contender for overall victory, was evacuated by helicopter after the incident. The retirement was a stark reminder of the race's demanding nature, where fatigue and difficult conditions can quickly change fortunes.

Dolan Drama — Tom Dolan’s Kingspan campaign ended after grounding off Île de Sein, with the Irish skipper evacuated by helicopter. Photo: Thomas Campion

A further retirement by Pier Paolo Dean (Banques Alimentaires) due to sail damage brought the total number of withdrawals to seven.

After three weeks of racing, the 2026 edition has emerged as one of the closest and most challenging in recent years. With only hours remaining before the finish in Le Havre, the outcome remains uncertain, and the final standings are still far from settled.

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Published in Figaro, Tom Dolan

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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.