56th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Leg 2: Advantage to the Southerners
by La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 18 Sep 2025 03:38 AEST
30 August - 27 September 2025
On this second leg of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2025, between the Bay of Morlaix and Vigo in Spain, two options have taken shape over the past hours.
The first, led by Jules Ducelier (Région Normandie), is heading south towards a waypoint that will allow them to cross to the other side of the ridge. To the northwest of this 26-boat fleet, seven skippers are betting on slightly stronger winds to stretch their stride and make up ground. Only Chloé Le Bars (Endobreizh) is still trying to catch up with the southerners who have broken away.
After a few short tacks to reposition themselves, the southern group is now steadily converging towards the waypoint that will allow them to slip past the ridge. Once through, they should be able to hook into the easterly winds expected to blow along the Spanish coast. Jules Ducelier (Région Normandie) still leads the fleet, but the Figaro sailors behind him are watching closely. Distances within this group remain tight — only 2.7 miles separate the top two in the very provisional general ranking. By taking a more easterly track within the southern pack, Victor Matthieu (Elitys) currently sits in third place, while Adrien Simon (FAUN), on a more middle course, is second. Nearly the entire southern group is now charging head-on towards the ridge, which they should cross during the night. The leading Figaro BENETEAU yachts are 90 miles off the north coast of Spain, but there's still a long way to go before the finish of this perilous stage comes into sight.
Skippers' Voices:
Alexis Loison (Groupe REEL):"You really need to be on top of the trim because the wind is shifting a lot, both in strength and direction. We're a small group of boats heading towards Cape Finisterre, or close to it. The wind is very far right, which makes you want to sail the direct route. That's the one I'm going for. You can feel the fleet is spread out — I only have about a third of them on AIS. I believe in my option and in my route, without focusing on what the others are doing. We'll see how it plays out."
Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper Macif 2025): "It's not easy — the wind shifts, shifts again, and not always the way I'd like. I'm keeping the boat moving and heading full speed towards the ridge, which we'll cross tonight. My strategy is clear in my head, but putting it into practice is more complicated. Almost all of us are heading south now to cross above Cape Ortegal, and then we'll take advantage of the easterlies to slip down towards La Coruña."
Quentin Vlamynck (Les Étoiles Filantes): "I'm sailing according to the wind oscillations, with the autopilot on, close-hauled. It allows for some good rest. The wind is shifting further right — we'll see how it evolves, but I'm happy to be in this pack of about fifteen boats. I've even been able to take off a few layers, and that's pure happiness."