Tom Dolan reflects after the Solo Guy Cotten
by Tom Dolan Racing 29 Mar 08:40 PDT
29 March 2025
Tom Dolan at 49th Solo Guy Cotten © Gilles Dedeurwaerder
Even before leaving the dock in Concarneau, Tom Dolan had set the tone: he wanted to enjoy sailing "at home," validate the hard work done over the winter, and above all, take pleasure racing.
Mission accomplished for the Irish skipper of Kingspan, who launched his 2025 season with intensity and enthusiasm. Finishing 8th in the long offshore leg of the 49th Solo Guy Cotten and 7th overall, he came away with a big smile — and a good dose of confidence.
More than just a final result, what stood out for Tom was the richness and intensity of the experience.
"The offshore leg felt like a mini stage of the Solitaire du Figaro! There was action from start to finish — never a dull moment," he said, still buzzing from two days at sea.
The 270-mile course was full-on: shifting wind, technical passages near the rocks, tricky transitions, and weather patterns constantly changing the rankings in the fleet.
"There were wind shifts, thermal breezes clashing, tight coastal tacks, breeze, no breeze... It was brilliant! No time to breathe."
Despite choosing an offshore route that didn't quite pay off — and picking up debris on the keel near Belle-Île at the worst possible moment, just as the fleet was bunching up — Tom stayed in the fight.
"It all came down to fine margins. But the sensations were great. For once, I was really relaxed at the helm — and had a huge amount of fun!"
A productive winter and confidence restored
This performance was the culmination of an intense period of pre season training. It's the result of a focused winter spent fine-tuning every detail, particularly with his training partner Gildas Mahé.
"I've never felt this confident with boat speed. The work we did on sails and rig tuning has really paid off!"
The result? A big confidence boost — and a clear mind.
"I won't be overthinking that anymore this season. I know I'm fast in all conditions, and that changes everything."
With this strong performance under his belt, the Irish sailor is already looking ahead to the next challenges.
Up next: the Trophée Laura Vergne Race Series from April 11 to 16, where he'll be racing double-handed with Gildas Mahé.
In the meantime, it's back to Port-la-Forêt to keep training and preparing.
One thing's for sure — this intense and joyful season opener proves that Tom Dolan is more ready than ever: focused, calm, and fully committed to his main goal — defending his title on the Solitaire du Figaro.