Irish skipper Tom Dolan has moved to within just 0.6 nautical miles of the lead in the opening leg of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec as the fleet battles through a tactical transition off Cape Finisterre. The Meath sailor aboard Kingspan, who led this morning, is second overall at the latest Wednesday afternoon ranking and remains firmly in contention for victory approaching Vigo.
High-pressure conditions have dramatically slowed the 35-boat fleet after two days of punishing upwind sailing in strong winds and heavy seas.
French skipper Hugo Dhallenne aboard Skipper MACIF 2025 currently leads the race. Arno Biston on Article.1 is third, only 1.2 miles behind the leader. The latest rankings underscore how tightly compressed the fleet has become as it enters the decisive final phase of the leg.
Sunshine Route — Hugo Dhallenne aboard Skipper Macif 2025 leads the La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec fleet after a strong westerly tactical option approaching Spain. Photo: Thomas Campion
The La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec ranking shows Tom Dolan in second place aboard Kingspan, just 0.6 nautical miles behind race leader Hugo Dhallenne approaching Cape Finisterre. Dolan was also sailing faster than the leader at the latest check-in, recording 7.2 knots compared with Dhallenne’s 5.8 knots.
The calmer conditions have allowed skippers to recover, inspect equipment and prepare for the tactical approach to the Spanish coast.
Several sailors reported climbing their masts to check rigs after earlier damage sustained during the stormy opening stages.
Hugo Cardon aboard Sarth’Atlantique said the conditions finally allowed sailors to carry out repairs. “I don’t think I was the only one climbing the mast today,” he said. “The residual swell still makes things complicated. You really get thrown around up there.”
Rig Check — Hugo Cardon climbs the mast aboard Sarth’Atlantique to inspect equipment as calmer conditions allow skippers to assess damage after days of heavy weather. Photo: Thomas Campion
Race leader Dhallenne said his more westerly positioning was beginning to pay off. “I really wanted to stay high and west in order to come out well approaching Spain,” he said. “So far, it’s paying off.”
The fleet is now preparing for a potentially decisive routing decision as it approaches Vigo, with both offshore and coastal options still under consideration. Light winds forecast near the finish could yet trigger another reshuffle in the standings as the first leg enters its closing stages.
