The Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, a trajectory of excellence
- Alexandra Remy
- Apr 19
- 4 min read
In the life of a professional sailor, there are summits to reach, and winning the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec is certainly one of the finest, but also one of the most difficult. But before reaching this grail, the miles fly by, the joys are few and the disappointments numerous. Since the creation of La Solitaire in 1970—under the name of the Course de l'Aurore, whose organization has been entrusted to OC Sport Pen Duick since 2012—sailors who have worn out their oilskins in the cockpit of the Beneteau "Figaros" have been able to greatly benefit from this unique experience. The last great solo round-the-world adventure, the Vendée Globe, crowned a great name from this sector, Charlie Dalin. His runner-up, Yoann Richomme, was also one of the major players in the Solitaire, as was Justine Mettraux, the first woman in this edition.
"In my opinion, the Figaro program is a necessary step in a sailor's career."
These are the words with which Charlie Dalin, skipper of the IMOCA MACIF Santé Prévoyance, speaks of La Solitaire du Figaro. Winner of the 2024-2025 Vendée Globe, the Normandy sailor has participated in eight Solitaire races without ever winning one, but remains marked by the intensity of this race and especially by the experience acquired over the years. "If you want to perform well in the Vendée Globe and in the IMOCA class, this Figaro program is the best way to achieve it. You sail on one-design boats, you can only count on yourself. You have to be on it constantly and that's what makes it quite difficult. It teaches you to know your limits, to push them far beyond what is humanly possible. The format of this race is very intense and requires impeccable physical condition ," commented Charlie Dalin.
On the podium five times out of eight participations, Charlie dreams of being able to return to sailing in the Figaro to complete the circle. "I don't have this victory on La Solitaire. I would really like to be able to come back. What is frustrating is that I know exactly where I lost my races. La Solitaire teaches us perseverance and frustration. There is one point that is also very important on La Solitaire is that we begin to understand different aspects of a project, such as managing a season in terms of budget, a team, the sporting side, communication and the media ," added Charlie Dalin.
The first woman in the Vendée Globe and also from the Figaro sector, Justine Mettraux, skipper of TEAMWORK – Team SNEF, looks back on her four years in this class and also credits them as being formative and essential for starting a sailing career. “The Figaro circuit and La Solitaire du Figaro were an important step for me in my life as a sailor. I wanted to experience the discipline of this class, the high level imposed by this one-design and a place to perform in all aspects of sailing. In any case, I am very happy to have gone through it. You have to refine your skills in all areas. A discipline that allows you to improve at the helm, in trimming, but also to become a very good sailor, because I think there is no other solo circuit that forces you to go for the stones like we do on La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. It is also the class of finesse and precision.” There is no obligation to participate in La Solitaire but in my opinion this race is a real plus in order to acquire the experience and the requirements necessary at the very highest level ,” commented Justine Mettraux.
Corentin Horeau, winner of the 2023 Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, agrees: "All the limits are pushed to the extreme. That's what makes this race so difficult. The class is always very attractive and the legends have done a good job. Whether it's Armel Le Cleac'h, Yann Eliès, Michel Desjoyeaux and many others, they all helped to make this race a legend ," said Corentin, who has just started the Transat Paprec double-handed alongside Lola Billy.
“Professor” Michel Desjoyeaux stated in 2024: “Rigor on La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec serves one’s entire life.”
An adage that allows many sailors to persevere in this field and many rookies to begin a career as a professional sailor. In any case, for 55 years, La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec has allowed women and men to take the plunge into the deep end of ocean racing in a highly demanding format, which requires self-denial, courage, determination, and perseverance. A school of life that pushes its limits a thousand times over. The 2025 edition will once again perpetuate this tradition and crown a sailor who has succeeded in demonstrating the greatest consistency, but also audacity and temerity. Who will be the successor to the Irishman Tom Dolan, winner in 2024? The answer will be at the end of September.
