Nicolas Lunven, the winning comeback
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
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 the 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. This edition, one of the toughest in many years according to the sailors, has proven its worth. Nicolas Lunven has now won his third Solitaire.
Nine years after his last participation, Nicolas Lunven made a resounding return to the 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. Having stayed close to the leaders for much of the race, he managed to remain in contention until the decisive final leg between Pornichet and Le Havre. In a particularly open edition, marked by the retirement of leader Tom Dolan (Kingspan) when he seemed to have the race in hand, Nicolas Lunven perfectly managed his effort and the numerous challenges of the course to regain the overall lead and secure a historic third victory in the event. At 42, he once again confirms his status as a leading figure in the Figaro class and achieves one of the most remarkable comebacks in the race's recent history. He joins the very exclusive club of three-time winners of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec.
The final stage: a breathtaking finale
This third and final leg lived up to all expectations. Starting from Pornichet and bound for Le Havre, it quickly descended into a series of complex situations between Brittany and the English Channel. The dramatic turn of events came with the retirement of Tom Dolan, the overall leader at the start. Behind him, the cards were completely reshuffled. Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire) took the lead before the gaps narrowed during a particularly grueling crossing. Along the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper Macif 2025) reminded the Figaro sailors that he was a force to be reckoned with. But it was ultimately Paul Morvan on Foricher – French Touch who snatched victory from his rivals. He finished this leg in the best possible way and finally secured a stage win. After several days of extreme fatigue, the final miles to Le Havre offered an intense battle, both for the final leg and for the overall standings.
With a very impressive sixth-place finish, Alexis Thomas completed a superb Solitaire du Figaro, securing second place on the final podium, 24 minutes and 44 seconds behind Nicolas Lunven. The winner of the final leg, Paul Morvan, completed this magnificent top three, a testament to experience, tenacity, and daring.
The first two stages: a Solitaire already very open
From the very start in Perros-Guirec, this 57th edition was distinguished by its incredible competitiveness. The first leg to Vigo showcased a very evenly matched fleet where the gaps remained small despite the numerous tactical challenges of the Bay of Biscay. Tom Dolan dominated this first leg, pulling away just a few miles from the finish line off Cape Finisterre. The second leg then upped the ante with much lighter conditions and constant changes in the standings. Leaders changed hands frequently, the gaps never exceeded a few dozen minutes, and several favorites traded blows throughout. As the final leg approached, six skippers were still in contention for the overall victory, perfectly illustrating the exceptional level of this 2026 edition.
Nicolas Lunven (PRB), winner of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2026
“I had it in my head that this leg was in two parts. There was the first, from the start to the western end of Sein, and then after that it was going to be a much more complicated part where I couldn't afford to sleep and had to really fight in conditions that were going to be quite difficult, with wind and a choppy sea downwind. Conditions I had never experienced on this boat. I told myself that I wasn't going to give up and that I wasn't going to just watch the others do it, so I fought like a lion. Maybe a little too hard, actually, because I lost a spinnaker!”
Returning to La Solitaire was something I'd already been thinking about. And then when Yoann (Richomme) started talking about it seriously last summer, I remember thinking: we can't let him do this on his own, I'm going to give him a hard time. Well, in the end, he left me alone, and that was a good thing!
I had an absolute blast. On the first two legs, I truly enjoyed myself. And even now, on the third... even though sailing downwind in these conditions isn't exactly my favorite. We were still pushing it a bit! A few tons of seawater went through the deck. That's probably why I'm soaked. I'm rediscovering what I came here for, the pleasure of sailing a Figaro, a way of sailing where I feel comfortable. I feel at home in this kind of race. That pretty much sums up this whole Solitaire du Figaro.
Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean), second in La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2026:
“I’m still having trouble processing where I am, whether I’m still at sea or on land. Actually, there were two phases at sea: the first, a period of calm, and the last 24 hours, which were really tough. We knew we were going to get caught after the western end of Sein. We had to stay calm and get plenty of rest beforehand. But that was impossible; the wind was too unstable. I only managed 30 minutes of sleep during the entire leg. I haven’t slept since the Glénan Islands. I’m exhausted, and I’m very happy with myself. I sailed well, even if 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 had a great race and I finished second.”
My thoughts are with the Irishman (Tom Dolan), I'm so sad for him. Two of them led the race, Tom and Nico. We miss Tom, he deserved that one.
This one has a special flavor. It's the sixth one, and I really feel like it was the hardest. Finishing behind Nicolas Lunven, whom I admire so much, by just a few minutes, is very rewarding. I'm happy to be battling with someone like that.
Paul Morvan (Foricher-French Touch), third in La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2026:
“I had rarely done a stage like that alone! At the same time, the strong wind is conditions I like. It's quite stimulating! And I tell myself that if it's hard, it's hard for everyone.
I got off to a good start, I was happy. I like the short, winding courses; they remind me of my Laser days, having to weave through everyone. And it was nice to be in the leading group right away. We had a good battle with Nicolas Lunven, Tom Goron, and Alexis Thomas for the first 20 hours. It was really good; it always puts you in a good frame of mind.
I never relinquished the lead on this leg, which is really satisfying. In the other legs, I always had a bit of a dip in form, but this time I was always in the leading group. I still have room for improvement to reach the level of Nicolas Lunven and Tom Dolan and win a Solitaire. That's great, it'll motivate me to get back to training quickly next winter with some good areas to work on!
"Right now, I haven't quite grasped that I've won a stage of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. I've never been in the lead at the finish of a Solitaire before; those last two hours feel so long! I need to sit down and take it all in. Anyway, third in Vigo, winner in Le Havre, third overall… I think I've had a successful Solitaire! "
Paul Loiseau (Région Bretagne-CMB Espoir), first rookie and fourth in La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2026:
“Winning this Solitaire as a rookie was the goal from the start of the season. It's crazy to think I actually did it. On the last leg, at 22 knots, I'd never gone that fast in a Figaro. I was even wondering how I was going to slow down! The boat just kept accelerating, and having not slept for 48 hours, I was completely exhausted. But it felt good. I was going fast, I could see I was catching up to the leaders, and I even had hopes of overtaking Martin (Le Pape) at one point. But I hadn't counted on needing a little sleep before the finish, so I made a slight detour. It was about time we arrived because it was incredibly tough. I've never pushed myself so hard since I started sailing Figaros . If you'd told me before the start that I'd finish without the top five, I would have signed up immediately, and quickly. Now it puts the pressure on for the coming years because that I'll have to do at least as well. It's going to take me a few days to come down from my high. I've learned so much on this Solitaire, about myself, about how to manage the effort offshore. It will be a strength for the years to come. I can't wait to see what it will be like with a bit more experience.”
