Rookie Hugo Cardon (Sarth’Atlantique) wins* the second stage

Hugo Cardon, aboard his one-design Sarth'Atlantique, won the second leg of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. This young rookie managed to cover the distance in 4 days, 2 hours, 14 minutes, and 29 seconds. He finished ahead of Alexis Loison (Groupe REEL), winner of the first leg, and the formidable Charlotte Yven on Skipper Macif 2023. In the provisional general classification, Alexis Loison consolidated his lead ahead of the third and final leg, which will start on Sunday.

The story is beautiful. At the start of the Bay of Morlaix last Monday, who thought that Hugo Cardon, one of the 13 rookies in the race, would win this leg between the Bay of Morlaix and Vigo in Spain? A victory that the young skipper from Le Mans sought at each waypoint, in all the restarts and the different transitions. Always under pressure from Charlotte Yven and the major players of this leg, Hugo managed, thanks to good positioning on this great oceanic chessboard, to be where he needed to be and at the right time. "I'm slower than the others, I'm aware of that, but I think I'll manage to find the right position," confided Hugo during the last radio session before the finish. He also admitted to having drawn on the deepest of his strength to complete this 486-mile course which gave the 34 solo sailors no respite. "I think I had a blackout last night. I don't know what I was doing anymore. I didn't have hallucinations like on the first stage, but I really dug deep inside myself. This race is incredible, and to be able to participate and perform like this up front is crazy ," he added.

A story of a backbone

This is the kind of leg that the general public loves: long, intense, with multiple twists and turns. But conversely, this second act between the Bay of Morlaix and Vigo was a real headache for the 34 sailors. After a very windy start on a sea nearly 5 meters high, it was a finale of Olympian calm that the skippers had to face. From Wednesday night and the passage of this famous ridge of high pressure that blocked the sailors' route, the sleepless nights followed one after the other. The night from Thursday to Friday was no more restful. Ten minutes here, five there, the sailors know, sleep is only accessible when the boat and the sea decide it is. In these conditions, presence on deck is almost essential to try to make the most of the slightest gust.

© Jesus Nieto

A breathless finale

It took until the last minute to finally get the result of this Iberian saga. Thanks to a more strategic positioning in the west, Hugo Cardon won ahead of Alexis Loison and Charlotte Yven. All day long, under a white sky pierced with blue, the Figaro sailors had their eyes fixed on the slightest variations in the ocean's surface. This unwavering concentration was very energy-consuming for the solo sailors who, since Wednesday evening, with the passage of the first ridge, have not given up. Very alone on this magnificent playground, they were nevertheless able to enjoy a few breaks with visits from several schools of dolphins, witness hunts where tuna and seabirds are on the menu, and for some, once the fear has passed, a few appearances of whales.

© Jesus Nieto

New top in the provisional general classification (before jury)

In the provisional general classification after two stages, Alexis Loison consolidated his first place. Charlotte Yven moved up to second place at the expense of Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper MACIF 2025) thanks to her excellent stage. Arno Biston (Article.1) climbed onto the third step of the provisional podium thanks to his excellent stage. The last rookie to have won a stage of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec was none other than Davy Beaudart - now competing on Hellowork - during the 2022 edition.

The Rookie Trophy and Best Foreigner Trophy

Hugo Cardon (Sarth'Atlantique) unquestionably won the BENETEAU Rookie Trophy. Oliver Hill (Connected by Water) finished as the first non-French sailor. He had a magnificent race, opting for bold choices, and it was only natural that he won this Vivi Trophy.

Forced rest

This Spanish stopover is welcome and we will need to quickly regain our strength during the weekend to tackle a much bigger challenge, the return to Normandy, at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, the final stopover of this 56th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, which is scheduled to start this Sunday at 5:00 p.m.

*before jury