Nicolas Lunven Seals Third Solitaire Du Figaro Crown

4th June 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Triple Triumph — Nicolas Lunven (PRB) celebrates after sealing overall victory in the 2026 La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, becoming a three-time winner of the iconic solo offshore race. Photo: Jean-Baptiste D'Enquin Credit: Jean-Baptiste D'ENQUIN

Nicolas Lunven has secured overall victory in the 57th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, completing a remarkable comeback nine years after his last appearance in the race. The PRB skipper sealed his third Solitaire title after finishing fourth on the final leg from Pornichet to Le Havre. Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean) finished second overall, with Paul Morvan (Foricher–French Touch) taking third.

Paul Loiseau (Région Bretagne – CMB Espoir) claimed top rookie honours and finished an impressive fourth overall. Podium Push — Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean) celebrates after securing second place overall in the 2026 La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, finishing less than 25 minutes behind winner Nicolas Lunven. Photo: Jean-Baptiste D'ENQUIN

At 42, Lunven adds the 2026 title to victories in 2009 and 2017, joining the select group of three-time winners of the iconic solo offshore race. His victory followed a dramatic final leg shaped by the retirement of Irish sailor Tom Dolan (Kingspan), who had led the race before grounding off Île de Sein.

Lunven stayed within striking distance throughout the event and capitalised on the final leg's demanding conditions to move into the overall lead. "This whole Solitaire was about rediscovering the pleasure of sailing a Figaro," Lunven said. "I feel at home in this game."

The final stage delivered a tense finish through Brittany and the English Channel. Strong winds, heavy seas and extreme fatigue tested the fleet until the final miles.

Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire) led for long periods, while Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper Macif 2025) remained in contention throughout the Channel crossing.

Paul Morvan ultimately claimed leg honours, securing his first-ever stage victory in La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec.

Alexis Thomas completed one of the best performances of his career, finishing second overall just 24 minutes and 44 seconds behind Lunven. "I'm exhausted, but I'm really proud of myself," Thomas said. "I sailed a great race and finished second."

Thomas also paid tribute to Dolan, saying, "There were two sailors who really led this race: Tom and Nico. We missed Tom out there. He deserved this one."

Morvan's leg win completed a breakthrough campaign that included a third-place overall finish. "I still can't quite believe I've won a stage of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec," he said. "Third overall and a stage win — it's fair to say I had a successful Solitaire."

The 2026 edition proved one of the closest in recent years. Six sailors remained in contention for overall victory heading into the final leg.

Rookie Reward — Paul Loiseau (Région Bretagne–CMB Espoir) smiles after claiming top rookie honours and fourth place overall in the 2026 La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. Photo: Jean-Baptiste D'ENQUIN

Loiseau emerged as the leading rookie after a consistent performance throughout the three-week event. "Winning the rookie classification was my goal from the start of the season," he said. "It's crazy to think I actually achieved it."

The race began in Perros-Guirec and included legs to Vigo and Pornichet before the decisive finale to Le Havre.

With tight margins, changing conditions and dramatic twists, the 2026 edition will be remembered as one of the most demanding and competitive Solitaires in recent memory.

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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.