Nicolas Lunven, the winning comeback in La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec
by La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 3 Jun 21:48 PDT
13 May - 7 June 2026
By finishing fourth in the final leg of the 57th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec between Pornichet and Le Havre, Nicolas Lunven (PRB) secured overall victory ahead of Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean) and Paul Morvan (Foricher-French Touch). Paul Loiseau (Région Bretagne - CMB Espoir), the top rookie, finished just off the podium in fourth place.
According to the sailors, this edition was one of the toughest in many years and ultimately rewarded experience. Nicolas Lunven claims his third Solitaire title.
Nine years after his last participation, Nicolas Lunven made a spectacular return to La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. Already a winner of the race in 2009 and 2017, the PRB skipper returned to the circuit with humility but also with immense experience gained at the highest level of offshore racing.
Long positioned in the wake of the leaders, he managed to stay in contention until the decisive final leg between Pornichet and Le Havre. In a particularly open edition, marked by the retirement of race leader Tom Dolan (Kingspan) when he appeared to have the event under control, Nicolas Lunven expertly managed both his effort and the numerous traps along the course to regain the overall lead and secure a historic third victory in the race.
At 42 years old, he once again confirms his status as one of the benchmark figures of the Figaro class and completes one of the most remarkable comebacks in the race's recent history. He now joins the exclusive club of three-time winners of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec.
The final Leg: A breathtaking finish
This third and final leg delivered on all its promises. Starting from Pornichet and finishing in Le Havre, it quickly turned into a succession of complex situations between Brittany and the English Channel.
The turning point came with the retirement of overall leader Tom Dolan, who had started the leg at the top of the standings. Behind him, everything was thrown wide open.
Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire) took control before the gaps gradually narrowed during a particularly demanding crossing. Along the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper Macif 2025) reminded the fleet that he remains a serious contender. But in the end, it was Paul Morvan aboard Foricher - French Touch who snatched the stage victory from his rivals. He finished the leg in the best possible way, finally securing his first stage win.
After several days of extreme fatigue, the final miles into Le Havre produced an intense battle, both for the stage victory and for the overall standings.
With an excellent sixth-place finish, Alexis Thomas completed an outstanding Solitaire campaign and climbed to the second step of the final podium, just 24 minutes and 44 seconds behind Nicolas Lunven. Stage winner Paul Morvan completed a superb top three that rewards experience, perseverance, and boldness.
The first two legs: A race wide open from the start
From the very start in Perros-Guirec, this 57th edition stood out for its incredible competitiveness.
The opening leg to Vigo showcased a remarkably evenly matched fleet, with time gaps remaining minimal despite the many tactical challenges of the Bay of Biscay. Tom Dolan won the opening round after breaking away just a few miles from the finish line off Cape Finisterre.
The second leg then raised the stakes with much lighter conditions and constant changes in the rankings. Leaders came and went, the gaps never really exceeded a few dozen minutes, and several favourites traded blows throughout.
Heading into the final stage, six skippers still had a realistic chance of claiming overall victory, perfectly illustrating the exceptional level of competition in the 2026 edition.
Nicolas Lunven (PRB), winner of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2026
"I had convinced myself that this leg would be split into two parts. The first was from the start to the western cardinal buoy off Sein, and then came the really difficult part, where there would be no sleeping and where we'd have to fight in tough conditions, with strong winds and a heavy following sea. Conditions I'd never experienced before on this boat.
I told myself I wasn't going to give up and I wasn't going to sit back and watch others sail away, so I fought like a lion. Maybe a little too hard, actually, because I ended up losing a spinnaker!
Coming back to La Solitaire had already been on my mind. Then when Yoann (Richomme) started talking seriously about it last summer, I remember thinking: we can't let him do this alone, I'll go and give him a hard time. In the end, he left me alone, and that turned out to be a pretty good idea!
I enjoyed myself enormously. During the first and second legs, I really had a blast. And even on this third leg—even though downwind sailing in strong breeze and those kinds of conditions aren't necessarily my favourites. We really powered through! There were tons of seawater washing across the deck. Maybe that's why I'm soaked.
I've rediscovered exactly what I came back for: the pleasure of sailing a Figaro, a style of sailing where I feel comfortable. I feel at home in this game. That's really the story of this whole Solitaire."
Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean), Runner-Up of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2026
"I'm still struggling to process where I am—whether I'm still at sea or back on land.
There were really two phases to this leg: the calm conditions at the beginning and then the last 24 hours, which were incredibly tough. We knew we'd get caught after the western mark off Sein. The key was not to get too excited and to rest properly beforehand. But even that was impossible because the wind was too unstable.
I think I slept only 30 minutes during the entire leg. I haven't slept since passing the Glénan Islands. I'm exhausted, but I'm really proud of myself. I sailed well, even though I made a few mistakes. I managed the race well. I was confident in my speed and my strategic choices. I'm proud of myself. I sailed a great race and finished second.
I have a big thought for the Irishman (Tom Dolan). I'm heartbroken for him. There were two sailors who really led this race: Tom and Nico. We missed Tom out there. He deserved this one.
This result has a special flavour. It's my sixth Solitaire, and I truly feel it was the hardest. Finishing just a few minutes behind Nicolas Lunven, whom I admire so much, is incredibly rewarding. I'm happy to be competing with someone like him."
Paul Morvan (Foricher-French Touch), third in La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2026
"I've rarely sailed a solo leg like that one! At the same time, I enjoy strong winds. Those are conditions I like. It's stimulating. And I always tell myself that if it's tough for me, it's tough for everyone.
I got off to a good start, which made me happy. I enjoy short windward-leeward courses—they remind me of my Laser sailing days, weaving through the fleet. It was great to be immediately among the front pack. Nicolas Lunven, Tom Goron, Alexis Thomas and I battled hard during the first 20 hours. It really set the tone.
I never let go of the leading group during this leg, and that's a real source of satisfaction. In the previous legs, I always had a weaker period. This time I stayed in the right group throughout.
I still have room for improvement before reaching the level of Nicolas Lunven and Tom Dolan and winning a Solitaire. That's good—it will motivate me to get straight back into training next winter with some clear areas to work on.
Right now, I still can't quite believe I've won a stage of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. I'd never been leading at the finish of a Solitaire stage before. Those last two hours are incredibly long! I need some time to sit down and understand what just happened.
Third in Vigo, winner in Le Havre, third overall... I think it's fair to say I had a successful Solitaire!"
Paul Loiseau (Région Bretagne-CMB Espoir), Top Rookie and Fourth Overall
"Winning the rookie classification of this Solitaire had been my goal since the start of the season. It's crazy to think I actually achieved it.
On the final stretch, doing 22 knots, I'd never sailed a Figaro that fast before. I was almost wondering how I was going to slow down! The boat just kept accelerating and, having not slept for 48 hours, I was completely spent.
But it was great. I was sailing fast, I could see myself catching the sailors ahead, and at one point I even thought I might overtake Martin (Le Pape). But then I took a brief nap before the finish and ended up making a small detour. It was definitely time for us to arrive because it had become incredibly tough. I've never pushed myself that hard since I started sailing Figaros.
If someone had told me before the start that I'd finish in the top five, I would have signed up immediately. Now it puts pressure on future years because I'll have to do at least as well.
I'll need a few days to come back down from my little cloud. I've learned so much during this Solitaire—about myself and about managing effort offshore. That experience will be a real strength in the years ahead. I'm excited to see what I can achieve with a little more experience."
Find out more, including full rankings, at www.lasolitaire.com