The Solitaire du Figaro Paprec - Made in Normandy

Rouen, Le Havre, Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, Normandy is truly in the spotlight for this 56th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. In addition to the start and finish ports, four Norman sailors will be competing for their place starting next Sunday, the day of the big start. Whether they are experienced or rookies, all have the feeling of being privileged and that sailing "at home" brings that little something extra. Every detail on a Solitaire du Figaro Paprec must be taken into account, and this can prove to be a major asset. Alexis Loison, Jules Ducelier, Yvon Larnicol, and Edouard Golbery discuss La Solitaire and this Normandy so dear to their sailors' hearts.

© Vincent Olivaud

Alexis Loison, skipper of Groupe REEL, 19th participation

“It’s a real source of pride to have the start and finish of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec in Normandy. I’m very attached to my region and I see that it’s a region that’s truly open to the sea, to ocean racing and to nautical events in general. I have pretty good statistics on the exits from the Channel. I know the patterns well, but it’s down to nothing every time. This time, I’d like to cross the Fastnet Rock during the day. We know that this exit from the Channel and the passage of the Fastnet remain a legendary route. Last year, I had a great sail in the Channel, and I hope to repeat it this year. But the big challenge will most certainly be the last leg with this double bypass of the tip of the Cotentin Peninsula. Everything can be decided at that point. The sequence of the Alderney Race and the Barfleur Race will be terrible. Depending on the tides, this can generate huge gaps.” We will have to be very vigilant from one end of the race to the other to hope to win."

© OC Sport Pen Duick

Jules Ducelier, skipper of the Normandy Region, 2nd participation "Having a start and finish in Normandy is quite special. I already felt very lucky last year with a start from Rouen. This year, to also have the finish in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, again in Normandy, a few miles from where I was selected two years ago to sail in the Figaro Normandy Region, is an incredible opportunity. It will be a very beautiful exit from the Bay of Seine, then we will play in the English Channel with the currents and we will go up to the Fastnet with a crossing of the Irish Sea to come back down. And then the last leg that we are offered is still a high mountain leg. A few miles from the finish via the Channel Islands, the Alderney Race and the Barfleur Race, we all know that La Solitaire can be decided a few miles from the finish. Nothing will ever be over until the very end. My goal in this Solitaire is first and foremost to sail in the best possible way. It's a somewhat specific race, a race against time. We're doing three stages in a row. Every mistake can swing the overall standings one way or the other. I'm having a bit of trouble setting myself a real goal for results, but given my last two seasons, with a place in the top 5, I think I'd be in the right place. I tasted a stage podium last year, and I still have that in the back of my mind."

Edouard Golbery, skipper of Seastemik, 3rd participation "I feel like I'm going back to my roots every time we stop in Normandy, it's a real pleasure. The last time I went there was during a tour of the Channel ports and I was just starting to race. We had a small boat with my family. It's quite nice to go back there now after 3 participations in La Solitaire. I'm no longer from Granville, my playground was the Chausey Islands and the Channel Islands. I'm less familiar with the Bay of Seine but it's quite interesting to sail there. During the delivery to Rouen we were able to experience the passage through the Alderney Race and Barfleur in strong downwind conditions and we realized that it was very difficult to seek shelter along the coast. This last part will be quite sporty to get to Saint-Vaast la-Hougue. I'm quite satisfied this year because I was finally able to get some good results in double-handed sailing and once solo. I changed boats and especially worked on my physical and mental preparation. I also have a bit more budget, that's also a change. My goal is to have fun. I also want to tell a great story. If I can get into the top 10, I'd be very satisfied. For 2 years on La Solitaire, I've been getting buried on the 2nd leg. I had a pretty good first leg, I was 20 minutes behind the 1st and on the second I was 12 hours behind. I'd like to be able to be a bit more consistent."

© OC Sport Pen Duick

Yvon Larnicol , skipper of Auray – Quiberon by Orlabay, rookie “I’m originally from Dieppe, I know the north of France more, Le Havre a little less and not at all the Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue region. It will be a first for me and we will have to be very vigilant because with the two Raz to cross, the task should prove to be quite complex. The first leg promises to be quite windy with conditions that are still extreme. We have no idea what we’re going to be in for. We’ve only had preparation races in light airs this year. During the delivery trip we tried to sail in strong winds to confront that a little. As a rookie, I have no idea how it will go. I’ve never sailed solo over such long distances, it’s going to be a real discovery.” I'm really looking forward to it and sportingly I'm ready, physically too, and technically we're almost there, we'll be ready for the start. I've been a trainer for the last 3 years in Figaro so to be at the start this year is really incredible. I worked for Charlotte Yven (Skipper Macif 2023) in particular so sailing against her I think it's great. I'm really looking forward to the start."