One day to go before the final stage of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2026

Tomorrow, Sunday, May 31st at 7:00 PM, 36 skippers will set off on the final leg of the 2026 Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. This race between Pornichet and Le Havre promises to be exciting and challenging, with crucial stakes for the top three sailors as well as the rest of the fleet. With such small gaps at the front, it's a safe bet that everyone will give their all to gain the few minutes needed to secure a victory or achieve their objectives.

The first few miles along the Atlantic coast should be in relatively manageable conditions, with calm seas and moderate winds as they head south towards the Gironde estuary. The fleet could therefore remain particularly compact, with every tactical option being closely scrutinized in a race for the overall standings that is still wide open.

@Vincent Olivaud / OC Sport Pen Duick

But as the hours and days pass, the nature of the leg is expected to change dramatically. Heading back towards the English Channel and approaching the English coast, the sailors will encounter a significantly stronger southwesterly flow and a choppy sea. The Figaro Beneteau 3s will then enter their preferred zone: fast courses where speeds increase dramatically and gaps can widen in just a few hours. After rounding the Eddystone lighthouse, the Figaro sailors will make one last crossing of the Channel to head towards Le Havre, the finish line of this final leg.

So, who among Tom Dolan (Kingspan), Nicolas Lunven (PRB), and Alexis Thomas (Wings Of The Ocean) will manage to seize the top step of the podium and etch their name on the trophy that everyone is so eagerly coveting? Unless, of course, some outsiders like Paul Loiseau (Région Bretagne – CMB Espoir), currently 33 minutes and 11 seconds behind, or Paul Morvan (Foricher - French Touch) at 1 hour, 5 minutes, and 37 seconds, Martin Le Pape (Paprec) at 1 hour, 33 minutes, and 17 seconds, and Loïs Berrehar, who hopes to close the gap and aim higher. The Banque Populaire skipper is currently seventh in the standings, 1 hour, 50 minutes, and 7 seconds back. Anything is possible on this final leg, which promises to be very interesting to watch.

@Mathieu Rivrin / OC Sport Pen Duick

A final, high-stakes stage: managing the clock as much as the emotions

It's essential to stay focused on your navigation without letting the pressure of the result overwhelm you. Finding the right balance between attack and caution, managing the fatigue accumulated since the start, and maintaining clarity of thought in key moments: this is often what makes the difference. More than ever, the final stage promises to be a test of self-control, where the best will be able to transform tension into positive energy to achieve the best possible result.

Two skippers from Nantes distinguished themselves during the second leg of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec

Loire-Atlantique can be proud of its representatives! At the finish of the second leg of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, held between Vigo and Pornichet, two skippers from Nantes, Marie Gendron (Kereis SNCF Voyageurs) and Adrien Hardy (Sans Nature, pas de Futur!), demonstrated their talent and determination among the elite of solo offshore racing. In a particularly tactical leg, marked by complex weather conditions and numerous strategic challenges, the two sailors remained focused to fight for their chances until the very end.

@Mathieu Rivrin / OC Sport Pen Duick

“I was so happy to be home. I think it really gives you a boost. It’s a bit like when you go for a run: strangely enough, you’re faster on the way back. There’s a similar feeling. Going home means getting back into your routine and finding your bearings, and that feels good. Seeing your family on the docks is great too. Even though the finish is always a really tough moment in the Figaro, because it’s a demanding race, everything fades away when you’re with your loved ones. During the stopover, seeing your friends and family again gives you a real boost for the final leg. You feel supported, accompanied, and having my parents taking such good care of you is really wonderful. They’re fully part of the team, and that’s going to help me for what’s to come. This second leg was incredible. Staying in the lead for several days was quite unexpected. I knew the conditions would suit me, so I felt comfortable, in my element, and I’m happy it paid off.” "I am also happy to have proven to myself that I am capable of doing great things. The next stage will be much windier and these are a little less my conditions, but I am now approaching the rest with more confidence," said Marie Gendron (Kereis SNCF Voyageurs) during the presentation of the skippers on the stage of the race village, located on the seafront of Pornichet.

@Vincent Olivaud / OC Sport Pen Duick

Adrien Hardy (Sans Nature, pas de Futur!): “It’s so nice to arrive in a place I know very well. I saw a lot of people at the finish line, including my two coaches from when I was a kid, so that was really great. It’s an area I love. Plus, I’m staying here with my in-laws in Le Pouliguen, so I’m really at home. This third leg looks like it will be beautiful and varied. There will be strong winds towards the end, and I like that. It will probably be a bit more settled, so we’ll have to try to get ahead. Right now, I’m having a blast on the water. It’s been a long time since I’ve sailed this much, and I’m really enjoying rediscovering the sensations of sailing: the calm, the silence, the observation, having all my senses alert. I find it quite amazing, this ability to stay constantly alert for several days.” These are sensations, a state I only experience in the Solitaire. That's exactly what I came looking for by returning to this race. I love drawing on all these resources and constantly pushing myself to the limit to perform.