La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec: A Real Attraction for Non-French Skippers

The excellence of the French solo racing pathway is increasingly attracting non-French skippers who want to come, learn, and train in a discipline that, for now, remains very French. However, the victory of Irishman Tom Dolan in 2024 proved that with hard work, training, and perseverance, the goal is not so unattainable. In this 2025 edition, five non-French sailors are on the start line: Tom Dolan, Swiss sailor Anaëlle Pattusch, British Sailors Ellie Driver and Oliver Hill, and American Erica Lush. The latter three explain why France—and why La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec—was their choice.

© Thomas Campion

“We are arriving in a new country to live out our passion for offshore racing, and above all, to learn as much as possible. The level in France is incredible, and we realize just how much work we have to do to be able to compete with the best—and that’s without even thinking about winning,” the three skippers shared unanimously. “That said, the adaptation isn’t easy. We absolutely need to learn French in order to be as reactive as possible and really understand everything.”

For Ellie Driver, this pathway is directly connected to her ultimate goal: the Vendée Globe.

“After university, I wanted to take the next step—that of participating in the Vendée Globe. Looking at this race, I realized that many of the skippers who compete in and win the Vendée Globe have come through La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. That’s why I came here to France: to learn from the best and one day build my own project for the Vendée Globe. Training three to four days a week with other sailors from Lorient Grand Large makes progress so much faster than working alone. My level has really improved a lot. I think it takes about three to five years to reach a good level. That’s why I chose Lorient Grand Large” explains the skipper of Figaro Beneteau 3 - Women’s Engineering Society.

©Thomas Campion

Oliver Hill (Connected by Water) echoes this:

“If I can reach even 50% of the level of the sailors here in Lorient, I’ll be very happy. This is the best place to learn and gain experience. That’s why I decided to settle in Lorient. As Ellie said, the progression curve is exceptional. When we go back to England, we start to realize just how far we’ve come.”

©Vincent Olivaud

For her part, Erica Lush (Hope) highlights her different background:

“For 10 years, I focused on another side of sailing, racing offshore mainly in crewed or double-handed events. For me, it was difficult to develop the technical aspects—not so much boat preparation, but strategy and tactics. I don’t think there’s anywhere else in the world where you can improve as effectively as here. It’s a unique and very interesting opportunity to grow in an environment with relatively controlled costs. Sponsorship is also a fascinating element—something that hasn’t been developed in the U.S. the same way—that I would really like to bring across.”

After the first two stages of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, the three skippers already have some first impressions to share—without holding back.

“The level is so high, it’s incredibly tough. The feeling when you’re out there with no one around is quite strange, but we’re here to learn,” admits Oliver.

Ellie was struck by the intensity of the legs:

“After the first stage I was really exhausted, and I thought: there are still two more to go, oh my God. Now I think it’s more mental fatigue than physical. This is the most mentally challenging race I’ve ever done. You have to account for every single aspect: the weather, the competition, your own physical state. There are so many parameters at play—you have to be on it constantly. No one can truly understand how difficult this solo race is,” says Ellie.

Erica adds:

“The elasticity of the mind is difficult to manage. Shifting from one state to another, from calm conditions to a storm—that’s tough. You constantly have to adapt to the elements.”

Just a few miles from the finish in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, Erica, Ellie, and Oliver are still racing and will come away with the feeling of having made incredible progress and acheived somthing extraordinary, finishing La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. The post-race debrief will also be a crucial moment to analyze and plan improvements for the future. Their French adventure is only just beginning.