A diverse and wide-open field for the 57th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec
by La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 15 May 10:53 PDT
13 May - 7 June 2026
In just two days, 36 sailors, women and men, will set off on the 57th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. For this 2027 edition, the scenery changes with a start scheduled very early in the season.
Along the docks of Perros-Guirec, everyone is eager to cast off and fully commit to this opening leg towards Vigo, Spain. While many sailors have once again answered the call for this legendary race, numerous rookies are also trying their luck, alongside several former competitors making their return. This exceptional line-up promises spectacular battles across the three stages of a race where legends are born.
Whether they are young, even very young, or more experienced, they form the backbone of this 2027 fleet. But standing against them are four formidable contenders returning to try their luck once again: Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire), Adrien Hardy (Sans Nature, pas de futur !), Nicolas Lunven (PRB), and Martin Le Pape (Paprec), who was called up at the last minute to replace Yoann Richomme, forced to withdraw.
The returnees - solid experience
The fleet is therefore strengthened by undeniable experience. Between them, these four sailors have accumulated 38 participations in La Solitaire. Only Nicolas Lunven has tasted victory twice, in 2009 and 2017. In 2007, during his very first participation, he won the Rookie of the Year award.
"The timing was perfect for my return. I don't know the Figaro Bénéteau 3 yet. It's really different from the Figaro 2 on which I won. I've remained very attached to the class. It's a circuit I truly enjoy. I'm coming back to enjoy myself and above all to do my very best," says Nicolas Lunven.
A last-minute replacement, Martin Le Pape arrives without pressure.
"My situation is a bit unusual. I'm really sad for Yoann, who has to withdraw from this Solitaire, but he's physically unable to compete. It's a great sign of confidence from Paprec. I'll do everything I can to live up to it. A Solitaire campaign requires preparation, and here I'm heading into it rather suddenly. We'll see, I'm not putting any particular pressure on myself, except the pressure I'll create to deliver the best performance possible," comments Martin Le Pape.
It's not an easy situation for this talented skipper, who has spent very little time sailing this boat in recent months. He will need to quickly regain his reflexes, but the long crossing of the Bay of Biscay will be an excellent way to reconnect with his sensations.
A very serious contender, Loïs Berrehar came extremely close to overall victory in 2024. With two stage wins and second place overall, it is highly likely that the sailor from Morbihan has returned to chase what was missing.
After a year sailing on other platforms, the experience gained over thousands of miles should push him even further beyond his limits and perhaps finally lead him to overall victory.
Meanwhile, Adrien Hardy, with 11 participations, is the most experienced Figaro sailor in the fleet. With five stage wins and a best overall finish of second place in 2017, Adrien Hardy knows the road well. This marks his major comeback since 2020.
The core fleet and the favorites
Arno Biston (Article.1), Hugo Cardon (Sarth'Atlantique), Paul Morvan (Foricher Les Moulins), Tom Dolan (Kingspan), the 2024 winner, Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper Macif 2025), Alexis Thomas (Wings of The Ocean), and Tom Goron (XPlorassur) are all well-known names on the circuit and each has the potential to become a major protagonist in the race.
While some already have stage victories to their name, all dream of standing on the top step of the podium. It is a very high step that must be earned through determination, sleepless nights, and the whims of weather conditions which, from the very first stage, will demand fighting spirit, boldness, and perseverance from the sailors.
"What I really love is the strategic aspect of a Gulf crossing. There are huge weather systems to play with. And I'm also looking forward to the third stage because I do have a soft spot for close coastal racing and beating upwind through the rocks in the English Channel, that's really something I enjoy. In any case, I can't wait to get started. Last year, I missed out on my Solitaire. The clear objective is the podium. And if possible, I'd love to finish on the podium and personally win a stage. Those are the two boxes I'd like to tick this year," explains Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper Macif 2025), who this year is paired within the Macif development program with Chloé Le Bars (Skipper Macif 2026).
"I feel good, my boat is going well, it's well tuned, the mast is perfectly set up, all the little systems are working well. Honestly, I have 100% confidence, and the shore team is doing an incredible job. The only pressure comes from myself, because now all the resources are in place for me to achieve great races, and I really want to perform well," says Chloé Le Bars.
Paul Morvan, another serious podium contender, says he is delighted to see the "older generation" back.
"We, the younger sailors, when I say us, like Tom Goron or myself, are starting to match up with the older sailors, even though we're younger and less experienced. That's really positive, and I'm very happy they're back now. It's up to us to show that the new generation can battle with the older, more experienced one. This Solitaire is going to be very open. When I saw all the incredibly talented skippers who will be racing, I immediately thought this would be a very tough Solitaire," analyzes Paul Morvan (Foricher Les Moulins).
The Rookies
This year, ten sailors are joining the elite world of offshore racing. Among them is only one woman: Marie Gendron (KEREIS SNCF Voyageurs). Facing her will be a group of already highly polished young sailors, such as Paul Cousin, proudly representing Normandy.
Also racing under the Normandy lion banner, Pierrick Letouzé will make his big debut after competing in the 2024 Défi Paprec, just like Marin Carnot (Fondation Jérôme Lejeune), who finished third in the 2025 edition of the same double-handed challenge.
The talented Paul Loiseau will race under the Bretagne-CMB Espoir colors. Pier Paolo Dean (Banques Alimentaires), Quentin Mocudet (Saveurs & Délices), François Jambou (Yuman), and Hugo Le Clech (Mieux) complete this impressive rookie line-up.
It is highly likely that during the 1,660 nautical miles of this course, some of them will showcase their boldness and youthful energy and emerge as troublemakers — just as Hugo Cardon did during the second stage to Vigo, which he won ahead of Alexis Loison (Groupe REEL).
The Anglo-Saxon Fleet
Five sailors from across the Channel and the Atlantic will line up this year for this legendary race, which continues to fascinate sailors in the UK and North America.
A loyal competitor for nearly a decade, Irishman Tom Dolan (Kingspan), winner in 2024, is eager for redemption after a turbulent 2025 edition that ended in retirement due to a wrist injury.
With two participations under their belts, American Erica Lush (Hope) and British sailor Ellie Driver (STEM on the Startline) have put in the work to improve on last season's performances.
Oliver Hill (Nautica by Ollie Hill Racing), meanwhile, has strong assets to perform well.Newcomer Joss Creswell (DigiLab) completes the British squad.
Défi Paprec - six teams in the race
Created by OC Sport Pen Duick and the Paprec Group, this opportunity to compete double-handed on the opening stage of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec allows skippers to enter the deep end in a slightly more reassuring format.
For this third edition, six duos will compete:
- Maë Cottereau and Simon de Pannemaecker (Seiko - Les Etoiles Filantes)
- Marie-Adélaïde Le Gué and Alexandre Carlo (LGC Sailing - Bretagne Plaisance)
- Thomas Dinas and Eliott Coville (Auray Quiberon By Orlabay)
- Ivica Kostelic and Deniz Bagi (Amelicor)
- Jens Meiser and Oakley Marsh (Chipmunk)
- Tiphaine Rideau and Elouan Barnaud (Habitat et Humanisme)
Starting 15 minutes after the solo fleet, the six duos will have their sights set on the 36 solo sailors, aiming to sail just as well and perhaps even attempt a few strategic moves of their own.
Whatever the outcome, all of them will have gained a huge amount of valuable experience for the future.