Tom Dolan Newsletter - December 2023
by Tom Dolan Racing 4 Dec 2023 03:47 PST
Tom Dolan wins the 1st stage of La Solitaire Du Figaro Paprec in Kinsale! © Alexis Courcoux
2023 a record year
Along with his commitment to the very demanding Figaro Bénéteau circuit, Tom Dolan decided to tackle the solo lap of Ireland record.
It's a mark held since 2005 by Belgian Michel Kleinjans aboard a Class40 (4 days 1 hour and 53 minutes and 29 seconds for a total of 698 miles. And Tom, the skipper of Smurfit Kappa - Kingspan aimed to break this record in the spring.
The idea was to take on the 698-mile loop around Ireland, starting and finishing from Dun Laoghaire, the port town just south of Dublin.
In fact it's a project which has its origins in the health confinement period, a project Tom was keen to share with the Irish people.
Very light air conditions on the second half of the route unfortunately put paid to Tom's target.
He then attempted the record a second time on October 29. Tom Dolan completed the first two thirds of the course at high speed, posting a time more than 100 miles ahead of the reference time. But then in the face of a seriously worsening forecast he had no other choice but to give up into Dingle. To get so close to the goal was frustrating but Tom has promised he will not let the record elude him.
A documentary will emerge from this incredible epic, in partnership with the Tourism Ireland agency and the production company Record Media. This documentary will highlight the commitment of a the sailor to tour Ireland's majestic landscapes.
In the flagship race of the season, the Solitaire du Figaro, Tom Dolan went through all the emotions, from a big high to a tough low. History will obviously remember his resounding victory in Kinsale, at the end of the first stage The skipper of Smurfit Kappa - Kingspan obviously could not have dreamed of a better scenario into his home country. And his performance will undoubtedly remain forever engraved in his memory and also in the long history of the race. But after a disappointing second stage when the wind shut off for many hours Tom ended up 18th overall.
Note that Tom Dolan is the second sailor from his country to achieve such a feat after Damian Foxall in 1998.
A transatlantic voyage to end the year!
Tom is finishing his season on Achille Nebout's Class40, sailing with a skipper who he has sailed with before. The boat has just finished 2nd in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Gildas Mahé on board, well known to Team Tom Dolan Racing as preparateur of the Figaro Smurfit-Kappa this year.
Tom left Fort De France on November 28 and was heading towards Lorient, an opportunity for Tom to gain experience on a 40-foot boat, one of the latest generation of this class.
After a busy 2023 season, Tom will take the time to rest and prepare mentally and physically for the 2024 season.
Interview: Emilie Luyckx, Project Manager, MDE, Kingspan Group
What is your role in the Tom Dolan Racing project?
The Kingspan group has been supporting Tom on his campaign in the Figaro for three years now and since then our employees and customers have become hooked on following his progress. I analyse the needs of Tom and his team as well as the potential benefits for our group. My role is also to help prepare and facilitate discussions for Tom's future programme.
What was the purpose of your visit to the Transat Jacques Vabre village with Tom?
This visit allowed me to take the time to talk at length with Tom, Gerry and Jean-Philippe, to work together on the vision and the story that we could tell together around Tom's project and the group's values.
What do you remember from this experience?
The memory of a beautiful day will stay with me (we were even treated to the sun and almost deserted pontoons before the official opening time of the village). I was very impressed to get on board L'Occitane en Provence, DMG Mori and Apicil. It was quite a discovery for me who is more used to cruising boats. It was a great chance to be able to meet and talk with the technical teams in charge of these boats. The quality of the conversations highlighted the values of sharing and team work and endeavour which are inherent in this beautiful world of sailing.
Do you have a story about Tom to share with us?
A story? It's impossible to go more than a few metres without being stopped by someone when you're traveling with Tom on the pontoons, it's not easy to get to places on time but it was great to meet so many people. But really it was a great reminder of what a warm down to earth guy Tom is. He is a very accessible person, always happy to discuss his passion and greatly appreciated by his peers.
The year in numbers:
- 4,427 nautical miles traveled this year for Tom and the Smurfit Kappa-Kingspan boat (more than 7,000 kilometers)
- 5 podiums including 3 first places for skipper Tom Dolan this year:
- 1st at Spi Ouest France,
- 1st of stage 1 of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec,
- 1st international on all 3 stages of solitaire
- 899100 people reached on Tom Dolan's social networks during this 2023 season!