Tom Dolan Presses On Despite Challenges in Figaro Race Leg Two

17th September 2025

Afloat.ie Team

Tom Dolan faces challenges during Leg Two of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec as he competes in the Bay of Biscay

As the second morning of Leg Two dawns, it’s all about positioning out in the Bay of Biscay for the fleet of La Solitaire du Figaro.

Tom Dolan, Irish Sailor of the Year, initially sailed east before tacking west at sunset. He aimed for stronger winds and a beneficial shift deeper into the Atlantic.

Although Dolan and his group dropped down the leaderboard, they are now catching up to the southern leaders, sailing towards Vigo at a faster pace. The leading group is struggling with lighter winds. Both groups are expected to converge again today, reshuffling the standings. Dolan is racing with an injured arm, which complicates his efforts during a challenging night filled with cargo traffic and squalls. “I was a bit out of it all day,” Dolan shared in a morning Instagram update.

He acknowledged that his condition affected his communication. “Yesterday, we left with strong winds, and my arm suffered a bit. I took a strong pill that knocked me out for a good part of the day. I thought about heading back to port, but I’ll continue and be careful!” The competition remains intense, and race organisers are closely monitoring the weather forecast. With the start of the race delayed and winds diminishing towards Vigo, a shortened course may be necessary to keep the event on schedule.

Published in Tom Dolan, Figaro

Published in Tom Dolan

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His fifth overall at the finish – the highest-placed non-French sailor and winner of the Vivi Cup – had him right among the international elite in one of 2020's few major events.

The 33-year-old who has lived in Concarneau, Brittany since 2009 but grew up on a farm in rural County Meath came into the gruelling four-stage race aiming to get into the top half of the fleet and to underline his potential to Irish sailing administrators considering the selection process for the 2024 Olympic Mixed Double Offshore category which comes in for the Paris games.