One day to go before the start of the 57th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec
by La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 16 May 11:42 PDT
13 May - 7 June 2026
57th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec village © Vincent Olivaud / OC Sport Pen Duick
Spectators will need to rise a little earlier than usual to witness the start of the first leg of this legendary race, which each year reveals some of sailing's greatest talents.
On Sunday, May 17 at 10:30 a.m., local sailor from Côtes-d'Armor, Guirec Soudée, will officially start this new edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. A fleet of 36 sailors will set off solo from Perros-Guirec. This opening leg between the Breton port and the Spanish city of Vigo is expected to deliver a wide variety of weather conditions, with moderate winds at the start, the passage of a fairly active front from Monday onwards, and a calm zone approaching Cape Finisterre.
A perfect mix that will immediately throw the entire fleet into the deep end from the very first hours of racing.
On the eve of the start of the 57th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, Race Director Yann Château presented what he already predicts will be a demanding, strategic and highly unpredictable race.
A very open 57th Solitaire du Figaro Paprec according to Yann Château
"The first leg will immediately set the tone. After a start scheduled in the Bay of Perros-Guirec in favorable weather conditions, the skippers will sail a spectacular coastal course between the Sept-Îles and Ploumanac'h before heading towards Wolf Rock Lighthouse, southwest of England. Competitors will then face a long offshore stretch of more than 430 nautical miles towards Cape Finisterre, in northwestern Spain. We can expect the race to remain very open," explains Yann Château, who underlines the importance of strategic choices on this long section of the course.
"A frontal system is expected between Monday and Tuesday, while the finish remains highly uncertain due to forecast light winds near the Spanish coast."
The Race Director also highlighted the particularly intense preparation period for the sailors. With the race village set up over a short timeframe, skippers had to quickly complete technical and weather preparations. Despite this pressure, excitement prevails just hours before the big start.
"This edition, taking place in May, changes some of the usual reference points. With longer days than in September, sailors benefit from one to two extra hours of daylight every day — a far from insignificant factor in a race renowned for being physically and mentally demanding."
An exceptional line-up
"While several well-known figures in sailing are making their return and attracting more attention from the general public, La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec remains above all a talent incubator. Many of the still relatively unknown skippers today will become the great sailors of tomorrow," he says.
While all the boats are now ready to head offshore, sailors are fully focused on weather analysis, the cornerstone of this opening leg. Cyrille Duchesne, weather specialist at Météo Consult, shared his outlook on the profile of this first stage:
"The start will take place in relatively favorable conditions, with moderate west to northwest winds blowing between 12 and 15 knots. Perfect weather to provide a spectacular start to the race. But this calm period will only be short-lived.
From Monday afternoon onwards, conditions will significantly deteriorate with the arrival of an active Atlantic disturbance. Sailors will have to deal with a particularly strong southwesterly flow accompanied by the passage of a very dynamic cold front. Average winds are expected to reach 25 to 28 knots, with gusts close to 40 knots and rough seas generating waves of nearly three meters.
Demanding conditions that will require intense concentration and the full expertise of the skippers competing in this crossing. Even after the front passes, sea conditions in the Bay of Biscay will remain difficult due to a significant swell expected to persist until Wednesday.
As the fleet heads further south towards Spain, the wind will gradually ease while remaining southwesterly. Then, in the final miles before Vigo, competitors will enter an anticyclonic ridge synonymous with light and variable winds. A configuration likely to create significant gaps and dramatic turnarounds, transforming the end of the race into a true psychological battle.
This leg therefore promises many twists and turns, with highly changeable weather conditions that could reshuffle the cards right up until the finish."
This alternation of weather conditions and the profile of the leg will put the sailors' endurance to the test.
Among the elite line-up is a determined contingent of English-speaking skippers, ranging from previous champions, Tom Dolan (Kingspan) to ambitious second-year racers, Ellie Driver (STEM on the Startline), Oliver Hill (Nautica by Ollie Hill Racing) and Erica Lush (Hope). Alongside them first timer, Joss Creswell (digiLab). For many, this 2026 edition represents an intense challenge, starting less than a year after the conclusion of the previous race.
Ellie Driver - UK - STEM on the Startline
Back for her second year, Driver is leveraging her experience from 2025 to push harder. "It's definitely different being back the second year... we know what's going on, we know what we actually need to do," she remarked. An engineer by trade, she continues to use her platform to advocate for youth and women in STEM.
"I've had another year in the boat and I'm a lot more ready to actually race the race... knowing that I can already get around a leg of the Solitaire, I can then try and push even harder this year."
Oliver Hill - UK - Nautica by Ollie Hill Racing
The winner of the 2025 Vivi Trophy, Hill acknowledges that the second year brings higher expectations. Despite a "tight and rushed" preparation period with a title sponsor arriving just two weeks ago, he is focused on consistent learning and avoiding "silly mistakes".
"I think it's almost harder the second year because going into last year you've got no expectations... now you've got a level you want to try and achieve."
Joss Creswell - UK - digiLab
A London-born skipper and veteran of the Clipper Round the World Race, Creswell views his first Solitaire as the culmination of a four-year journey. He highlights the commercial and cultural strength of the French offshore racing scene, aiming to encourage a similar professional pathway for young British sailors.
"The goal is: can I sell the boat cleanly through the whole race and can I keep a sense of humor doing it?"
Erica Lush - USA - Hope
The first American to potentially complete two Solitaires, Lush returns with a boat owned by Vendée Globe legend Samantha Davies. After a significant repair effort following a collision with a rock during training, she credits her technical team for getting Hope back in "ship shape" for the start.
"Last year was really hard... knowing that I got through last year means this year I can face it with full confidence."
Tom Dolan - IRELAND - Kingspan
The Irishman and defending 2024 champion remains the "benchmark" for the international fleet. As the skippers look toward the first leg, the general consensus is one of high-pressure tactical play through the English Channel followed by a test of endurance to the Galician coast.
Six duos taking on the challenge of the circuit
A few minutes after the 36 Figaro sailors, the six duos competing in the Défi Paprec will also set off on this long 610-nautical-mile sail towards Spain. An experience that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on them and inspire many future vocations.
How to follow the start
From 9:55 a.m., you will be able to follow the start of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec on the race website, France 3 Bretagne, www.letelegramme.fr, Ouest-France.fr, replay on TF1+ and Canal+.
On TV: Figaro TV and Tébéo/Tébésud.
On social media: Facebook pages of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec and France 3 Bretagne.
On YouTube: La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec and France 3 Bretagne channels.
On Instagram: Live coverage from the pontoons starting at 8 a.m. and on the @lasolitairedufigaropaprec feed.
La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec goes virtual
Alongside the real race, La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2026 is also taking place on Virtual Regatta. Tomorrow, Sunday, thousands of players will start the first virtual leg between Perros-Guirec and Vigo, faithfully reproducing the skippers' course.
Without having to brave the elements themselves, participants will be able to experience the intensity of the race from home while facing the same weather conditions as the competitors.
One highlight of this virtual edition: the first player to round the Paprec buoy will win an official race t-shirt.
"This first leg promises total immersion, offering an experience every bit as captivating as the real race," says Cyrille Duchesne, weather specialist at Météo Consult.