Tom Dolan Takes Figaro Lead as Fleet Heads South

20th May 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Leader’s Edge — Irish skipper Tom Dolan aboard Kingspan leads La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec as the fleet races south towards a forecast tactical wind shift Credit: via Tracker

Irish offshore racer Tom Dolan has moved into the lead of La Solitaire du Figaro aboard Kingspan as the fleet continues its demanding southbound passage offshore.

The County Meath sailor topped the leaderboard at Wednesday morning’s 0700 race update, holding a narrow advantage over France’s Hugo Dhallenne and Arno Biston as the fleet prepared for a crucial tactical wind shift.

Above: Tom Dolan aboard Kingspan leads La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec at Wednesday morning’s 0700 race update.

The 35 solo sailors are racing in more than 20 knots of south-westerly breeze, with confused seas and relentless conditions testing both sailors and equipment.

Earlier

The fleet is now approaching the halfway stage of the course. Boats are averaging speeds above seven knots as skippers prepare for a forecast wind shift expected tomorrow. Conditions have left sailors battling constant heel, fatigue and wet gear while trying to maintain boat speed and avoid equipment damage.

Conditions onboard Nicolas Lunven’s Figaro yacht during La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec as the fleet heads south towards an anticipated tactical wind shift. Photo: Nicolas Lunven

At the rear of the fleet, Ellie Driver aboard STEM on the Startline, Marie Gendron on Kereis SNCF Voyageurs and Joss Creswell on digiLab were beginning to lose touch with the main group.

Up front, the leading pack continued to exchange positions as sailors worked to conserve energy ahead of the next tactical phase as they approached the Spanish coast.

Race Director Yann Chateau said several strategic moves were already developing within the fleet. “There are a few small tactical moves, some of them quite interesting,” he said. “At one point, we saw Arno Biston bear away in an attempt to convert the lateral separation he had to the west into gains to the south. It proved fairly effective for a while.”

Chateau also underlined the difficult conditions facing competitors. “There have been quite a few minor equipment issues, and everyone is soaking wet,” he said. “Now the fleet is finally getting its first rays of sunshine, which I think will do everyone a world of good. For many of them, it was also time to get some rest.”

Attention is now turning to the approach to Spain, where lighter winds and coastal transition zones are expected to create another tactical test for the fleet.

Tracker here

Published in Tom Dolan, Figaro, Offshore

Published in Tom Dolan

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