Tom Dolan at 49th Solo Guy Cotten - Update: French Elite Offshore Racing Championship opening leg
by Tom Dolan Racing 26 Mar 22:58 NZDT
26 March 2025
Tom Dolan kicks off his 2025 season from his home port of Concarneau © Gilles Dedeurwaerder
As part of the 49th edition of the Solo Guy Cotten — the opening leg of the 2025 French Elite Offshore Racing Championship — Tom Dolan and the 40 other skippers have already completed two days of inshore races in Concarneau.
In light conditions — 10 to 12 knots on Monday, then 7 to 8 on Tuesday — the Kingspan-backed skipper finished 6th and 21th, putting him provisionally in 13th place overall.
But beyond the rankings, it's the quality of the racing that stands out for the Irishman: "I had a blast in those first two races. There were some great fights on the water despite the light breeze and shifty conditions — it kept us on our toes! With offshore winds like that, it's all about staying away from the extremes and playing it safe in the middle. I found it super interesting and gained real confidence in these kinds of conditions, especially after a winter training at the Pôle Finistère and some double-handed sailing with Gildas Mahé," he explains.
Now, it's time for the week's main event: the offshore race. Set to start this Wednesday at 2:30pm, the 270-mile course was confirmed this morning by race management. The sailors will head out to the Chaussée de Pierres Vertes (off Molène), then down to Belle-Île, with a virtual waypoint that may be adjusted depending on the weather.
The finish is expected Friday morning, after about 40 hours of intense and demanding sailing.
"We'll probably start in light winds, then finish in 25 to 30 knots. It's shaping up to be a proper offshore challenge — tough and exciting! I'm hoping to enjoy every bit of it. I especially love racing with strong currents, and I'm really looking forward to it. The Raz de Sein in no wind could be super tricky and full of twists and turns. My goal is to manage it well and find some good sensations out there," says the sailor, determined to use this leg as a new step toward his big goal for the season: defending his title on the Solitaire du Figaro.