Pornichet to host La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 34 years after Michel Desjoyeaux's first victory

The 2026 edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec will undoubtedly be marked by some great reunions. After Perros-Guirec , which will host the fleet for the 17th time in the race's history for the Grand Départ (May 13-17), and Vigo (May 20-24), which aimed for a repeat victory following the undeniable success of the stopover in 2025, the town of Pornichet makes its grand return after 34 years, since the 1992 edition which saw Michel Desjoyeaux's first of three overall victories, ahead of a certain Jean Le Cam. This fifth chapter shared by the port of Pornichet (May 27-31) and the most demanding of solo one-design races will undoubtedly bear the mark of the greatest sailors. Yoann Richomme (Paprec) and Nicolas Lunven (PRB), both multiple winners of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, or Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire), officially returning to his roots in 2026, would certainly agree!

Perros-Guirec, Vigo, and now Pornichet: the route of the 2026 Solitaire du Figaro Paprec reveals a new town and, with it, opens the great book of memories of solo offshore racing. Pornichet will therefore welcome the Figaro sailors at the end of the second leg, starting from Vigo in Spain, on May 27th. In the past, the solo sailors have had the pleasure of stopping over four times in the town, which stands out for the charm conferred by its Belle Époque villas. 1978, the year of Gilles Le Baud's first victory and also a start from Perros-Guirec; 1983, the year of Lionel Péan's victory; 1987 for Jean-Marie Vidal's second laurels; and finally 1992 and the first of Michel Desjoyeaux's three crowns. With such a strong track record and the return of big names – Richomme , Lunven, Berrehar – the announced stopover for this new edition bodes well. “Pornichet is proud to host the second leg of this 57th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec,” confirms Jean-Claude Pelleteur, Mayor of Pornichet. “ It must be said that, year after year, Pornichet is establishing itself as a stronghold of competitive sailing in France: home port of the APCC, the top-ranked sailing club in the FFV (French Sailing Federation), and of seasoned skippers, Pornichet is also the playground for renowned sporting competitions such as the Women's Cup, the International Match Racing Championships, and the Select 6.50. As the largest marina in Loire-Atlantique, it also offers a unique setting that will welcome competitors and visitors along one of the most beautiful bays in the world.”

©Ville de Pornichet

Vigo-Pornichet, an ideal playground

From Vigo to Pornichet, the sailors of the 2026 Solitaire du Figaro Paprec will have the Bay of Biscay as their playground after rounding Cape Finisterre and before navigating the Loire estuary. These are all the ingredients needed to give the second leg the excitement and twists that competitors and spectators alike will be eagerly anticipating. Among the sailors lining up at the start of the 57th edition, there is one who is particularly excited about this stopover on the Loire. A member of the APCC sailing club, Tiphaine Ragueneau (ORCOM) will indeed be competing on home turf: “I’m delighted that the Solitaire has chosen Pornichet as a stopover,” confirms the sailor who will be competing in her second Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. “ For me, it’s a real homecoming. It’s in this bay that I learned to sail, that I took my first tacks. Coming back here, returning to the APCC club where I grew up, is obviously very emotional. From a sporting perspective, the leg between Vigo and Pornichet promises to be demanding: sailing along the Spanish coast requires great vigilance, with very pronounced local effects and sometimes tricky navigation. Rounding Cape Finisterre is always an unknown; you never really know what to expect. But whatever happens, the finish in Pornichet will be very exciting. I can’t wait to be there.”

©Vincent Olivaud

Julie Coutts, Managing Director of OC Sport Pen Duick, the race organizer, shares this enthusiasm: “The return of Pornichet to the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec route is fantastic news for the race. This stopover is part of the race's rich history, marked by iconic winners and memorable stages. The leg between Vigo and Pornichet will offer the skippers a challenging and exciting playground. We are delighted to be able to count on the commitment of the City of Pornichet and all its partners to offer both sailors and the public a stopover worthy of the reputation of this legendary race.”

See you in Pornichet from May 27, 2026!