2023 RANKING
GENERAL RANKING
On the night of 15 September, the curtain came down in Piriac-sur-Mer on the three-leg Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. Three bravura legs totalling 1,670 miles (3,092 km), rewarding the race won by Corentin Horeau, the most consistent skipper. This surprising 2023 vintage also stands out for the drama of its second act. The Kinsale-Baie de Morlaix leg was fatal for many of the contenders for places of honour and will go down in the annals of the race.
Here's what happened on the water, not on the green carpet. Despite the exclusion of Benoît Tuduri and the disqualification of Pierre Daniellot by the jury, who sanctioned the behaviour of these two rookies at the final finish, this 54th edition nonetheless remains the revelation of a new generation of solo sailors.
Hugo Dhallenne, Julie Simon and Victor Le Pape's races - on a regular basis - were resolutely in the running from their very first participation, and should be hailed in their own right. As well as those of Tom Dolan, Basile Bourgnon and Jules Delpech, the three magnificent stage winners in this Solitaire of all the turnarounds.
RANKING BY STEPS
STEP 1 - CHANNEL AND CELTIC SEA
The first stage alone presents all the characteristics of the Solitaire, with a very coastal and demanding first part and a second offshore part. After setting off from Caen and rounding the Saint Marcouf Islands, the sailors will make a double crossing of the English Channel via the Isle of Wight.
I have left the island bypass free, so that each sailor can make the choice of rounding the island via the Solent or from the south depending on the conditions at Nab Tower, the first brand around the east of Isle of Wight.
Once the Jument des Héaux de Bréhat mark has been crossed, the skippers will set sail for the Fastnet lighthouse, for a leg of almost 300 nautical miles, which will begin the offshore part of this leg. A few tacks later, the arrival at Kinsale could be tricky with tidal coefficients of more than 100.
STAGE 2 - IRISH SEA
Often coveted, never achieved, the rounding of the Isle of Man is the symbol of this stage which makes all the richness of the Solitaire. A 630 nautical mile stage, with only one course mark (or almost), and yet a stage that we could qualify as coastal.
Departing from Kinsale, the tidal coefficients will always be high, generating strong currents in the Irish Sea. The evolution of the figaros will surely be dictated by this factor until the bypass of the Isle of Man, in a region famous for its mists, its rapid weather changes and its many fishing boats.
Vigilance will therefore be particularly important before starting the final stretch towards the bay of Morlaix.
STAGE 3 - IROISE SEA AND GULF OF BISCAY
Having become almost a Solitaire classic, a double crossing of the Bay of Biscay, via a mark in front of Gijon, will close the 2023 course. After the start in the bay of Morlaix, the figaros will evolve along the fairly steep north coast of Brittany , to get to the western side of Sein.
The skippers will most likely have to choose between taking the Passage du Fromveur, south of the island of Ouessant, or the Chenal du Four, along the coast of Finistère. The Bay of Biscay can offer complex weather situations, and the finest strategists will then be able to fully express themselves.
The finish in Piriac-sur-Mer, in Loire Atlantique, will close this 2023 edition.
