Ireland’s Tom Dolan begins the second leg of La Solitaire du Figaro as overall leader, with the Kingspan skipper facing a tactical battle in light and unstable conditions between Vigo and Pornichet. The 450-nautical-mile stage started from the Galician coast on Sunday and is already shaping up to be one of the most strategic legs of the race.
After a strong opening leg, Dolan now faces mounting pressure from rivals eager to claw back time before the fleet reaches France’s Loire-Atlantique coast.
“We have a lot to gain and a lot to lose,” Dolan said before the start. “We’ll especially need to be very careful during the first 24 hours, and then in the Bay we’ll see — things are a bit clearer today than they were yesterday.”
The La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec fleet departs Vigo for the tactical 450-nautical-mile second leg to Pornichet in light and unstable conditions. Photo: Vincent Olivaud
The 36-boat fleet encountered very light winds shortly after leaving Vigo, with sailors forced to negotiate calm patches and difficult transitions along the Spanish coastline.
Adrien Hardy (Sans Nature, pas de Futur !) rounded the opening Paprec mark in the lead after the initial coastal course.
Competitors expect the leg to become a tactical contest where patience and concentration may prove more important than outright speed.
Several skippers warned that major gains — and losses — could emerge if boats become trapped in windless zones or thunderstorms forecast along the northern Spanish coast.
The La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec fleet beats north from Vigo towards Pornichet as light winds and tactical pressure begin to shape the second leg across the Bay of Biscay. Photo: Thomas Campion
Léo Bothorel (Décathlon) said the fleet faced difficult strategic choices from the outset. “Depending on our start timing and how quickly we can move forward, there are two major options: either stay close to the coast or head further offshore,” he said.
Forecast uncertainty across the Bay of Biscay is expected to keep sailors under pressure for much of the passage north.
Thomas de Dinechin (Almond for Pure Ocean), who lost time on the opening leg, described the stage as “a huge poker game in the Bay of Biscay”. Others predicted the fleet could become far more spread out than during the opening stage if conditions remain unstable. Erica Lush (Hope) said, “La Solitaire could be decided here”.
The fleet is expected to spend several days at sea before arriving in Pornichet, with tactical judgement likely to shape the overall standings.
