A magnificent start in idyllic conditions

Caught between tension and eagerness to get going, the 36 Figaro sailors finally headed offshore for the opening leg of the 57th edition of the La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. After a spectacular coastal course of around fifteen miles between the Sept-Îles and Ploumanac’h, sailed in beautiful wind and light conditions, Loïs Berrehar aboard Banque Populaire emerged in the lead and is now heading towards Wolf Rock, the first mandatory waypoint of this opening stage.

The start of the first leg of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec was given this Sunday, May 17, on relatively calm seas and in around 10 knots of breeze. Following a reaching start, the opening leg was covered at high speed by competitors already eager to make their mark on the race from the very beginning.

After around forty minutes of racing, Loïs Berrehar was the first to complete the coastal course, followed both on the water and ashore by hundreds of spectators. The opening two legs were lively and action-packed, with numerous manoeuvres throughout.

Heading northwest

Throughout the day, the 36 Figaro Beneteau 3s will have to battle upwind towards the English coast of Cornwall. The manageable conditions should allow the sailors to ease themselves into the race relatively calmly before facing the first major challenge of the course on Monday night into Tuesday, with the arrival of a fairly active low-pressure system.

The key will be finding the right balance: not burning through too much energy in the opening hours and risking an early deficit in strength and sleep. But the solo sailors are well prepared for this exercise and train all year for moments like this.

First Ranking at the Paprec Mark

1 – Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire) 2 – Arno Biston (Article.1) 3 – Edouard Gobery (SOS Villages d’Enfants)

With this first-place finish, Loïs Berrehar wins the Paprec Trophy.

Skippers’ Reactions

Tom Goron (XPlorassur)

“On this first leg, we’ll need to avoid draining too much energy if we want to last until the end of La Solitaire, while at the same time it could become decisive very quickly. We need to find the right balance. We’re heading off with smiles on our faces, and a little apprehension too because it’s shaping up to be really long and difficult.”

Marie Gendron (Kereis SNCF Voyageurs)

“I can’t wait to get going. I’m excited to discover this new world and this new challenge, which is definitely significant. The level is incredibly high and it’s an honour to be racing among the very best. I’ll try to do my best and, of course, try to go fast.”

Eliaz Morineau (Demain sans HPV)

“I’m feeling pretty good and the start should be fairly relaxed. There isn’t much wind, which is good for getting back into the rhythm and making a safe start without taking too many risks. Then the wind will gradually build, so we’ll each settle into our own routines and get aligned with the conditions before the second night, which should be quite intense. I still find it hard to realise that I’m starting La Solitaire for the second time.”

Chloé Le Bars (Skipper Macif 2026)

“It’s going to be great! There’ll be upwind sailing, breeze, lighter conditions at the end — a bit of everything, a perfect mix for a great Solitaire stage. We’ll need to stay fully focused and I can’t wait to get going. I think it’s going to be a very complete leg.”

Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper Macif 2025)

“The weather is milder than expected, which is good news. It looks less uncertain around Spain and generally more manageable along the route. The goal is to sail well — and when you sail well, you enjoy it, and when you enjoy it and sail well, you end up at the front.”

Nicolas Lunven (PRB)

“We’re starting in pretty nice conditions, so the opening hours and the first night should be a gentle warm-up. After that it’s going to get tougher, but that’s part of the game. I think it’s going to be a great Figaro leg.”

Arno Biston (Article.1)

“I’m trying not to think too much about what we’re doing and instead stay focused on the race. Anyway, this leg carries a huge amount of uncertainty, especially towards the finish, so there’s no point panicking. My biggest strength is staying calm — we’ll see how things stand in Vigo.”

Thomas de Dinechin (Almond for Pure Ocean)

“I’m feeling in really good shape. Of course I’m happy to be here because I have a bit of unfinished business from last year. I’ve worked hard this season to make sure the boat was ready with the new mast and to turn last year’s dismasting into a strength.”

Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire)

“We’ll need to be good everywhere. I’m going to give it everything — I’m fully ready for this great challenge.”

Titouan Mariley (ACTION ENFANCE - NO LIMIT)

“We know that everything can change again in Spain, so we can’t give up at any point. And if unfortunately I’m not at the front, I’ll need to bounce back. That’s the beauty of La Solitaire.”

Tiphaine Ragueneau (ORCOM)

“I can’t wait to leave. The race village has been pretty intense, so I’m happy to finally start racing. I’m also eager to see how things will play out on the water because I haven’t really raced against the other solo sailors this year. I’m not entirely sure what to expect or where I stand compared to the others. We’ll see.”

Quentin Mocudet (Saveurs & Délices)

“I’m feeling good and can’t wait to start. I’m also discovering what it’s like to race over several days. I hope I’ll feel comfortable at sea, even though we’re expecting strong upwind conditions.”

Hugo Cardon (Sarth’Atlantique)

“I feel pretty well rested and calm. I have the overall picture in mind and I’m comfortable with these conditions, which suit me quite well, so I’m eager to get going. Everyone keeps talking to me about my victory in Vigo, but this is a new leg — the counters are reset, it’s a new start line and everything has to be done again. I’m not the favourite either. There are clearly sailors who are faster and just as smart, so in any case it’s going to be a great race.”

Paul Morvan (Foricher-French Touch)

“I’m feeling good and really happy to get back on the water. We’re expecting heavy conditions, so we’ll need to stay on top of things and manage sleep carefully before the tougher phases. I’ve got the overall strategy in mind — we’ll see how it unfolds.”

Joss Creswell (digiLab)

“My mental preparation has been important. The boat is ready. In any case, I can’t wait to be out there and finally experience this incredible race.”

Pierrick LeTouzé (Normandy Offshore Program)

“I’m really looking forward to discovering what La Solitaire is all about. I’ve heard about it for years and now I’m finally here. I can’t wait to experience it with all the other sailors around and such a compact Figaro fleet. We’ll see in Vigo whether I enjoyed it, but I’m pretty sure I will.”

Tom Dolan (Kingspan)

“The boat is perfect, the team too — everything’s spot on. The weather and the conditions maybe a little less so, but that doesn’t bother me. The main thing is to enjoy it.”

Erica Lush (HOPE)

“I’m very happy to be here at the start in Perros-Guirec. I’m going to do my best to sail well.”

Édouard Golbery (SOS Villages d’Enfants)

“This is going to be an interesting leg. It’s quite similar to last year’s, with wind and then a ridge towards the finish, which didn’t really work out for me last year. I’m not going to make too many predictions. I want to enjoy myself on the water and do what I love doing. I’ve sacrificed a lot and worked hard this year, and my start to the season has been pretty good. I can definitely feel myself progressing, so there’s no pressure — I’ll keep building on that momentum and I’m happy to be heading back to sea.”