By romancrance3 — La Solitaire du Figaro
After three fiercely contested legs between Perros-Guirec, Vigo, Pornichet and Le Havre, the 57th Solitaire du Figaro Paprec delivered its verdict. An edition marked by exceptional competitiveness, often demanding conditions, constant plot twists and a nail-biting finale that kept everyone guessing right to the final hours. Here’s a look back at the standout moments from the 2026 Solitaire.
@Thomas Campion
Nicolas Lunven: experience wins the day
Nine years after his last crack at the race, Nicolas Lunven made a remarkable return. Always in the mix and never truly out of contention, the PRB skipper showed his class when it mattered, securing a third Solitaire victory to add to his wins in 2009 and 2017. In a race where a single mistake cost you dearly, he stayed in the fight all the way and capitalised on a dramatic twist in the final leg to seize the yellow jersey for good. At 42, Lunven joins an exclusive club of three-time Solitaire champions.
A battle that went down to the wire
Rarely has the overall classification looked so wide open. After leg two, several skippers were still genuinely in contention for the title. Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean), Paul Morvan (Foricher-French Touch), Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire), Tom Dolan (Kingspan) and Nicolas Lunven (PRB) traded blows for nearly a fortnight, keeping race followers on the edge of their seats.
Paul Morvan rewarded for consistency
Finishing third overall, Paul Morvan capped off his Solitaire in style by taking out the third and final leg into Le Havre. After several strong seasons without converting his performances, the Foricher–French Touch skipper finally landed his first leg win and confirmed his place among the elite of his generation.
Paul Loiseau: the rookie turning heads
Making his debut, Paul Loiseau (Région Bretagne – CMB Espoir) impressed with his maturity beyond his years. Top rookie and fourth overall, he consistently sailed at the pointy end alongside the best and has already staked his claim as one of the brightest prospects in the Figaro pipeline. Crossing the line first after an incredible head-to-head with Nicolas Lunven, Loiseau sealed his maiden leg victory. A standout performance from a young sailor who’s now got the weight of being a genuine outsider—one he’ll need to deliver on in the years ahead.
@Thomas Campion
The heartbreaks
Tom Dolan’s cruel exit
Undoubtedly the defining image of this edition. After winning leg one and holding the overall lead going into the final stage, Tom Dolan was still in a position to control the race as he approached the Chaussée de Sein. But his hopes of back-to-back wins evaporated when he ran aground off Sein Island, forcing his retirement. A cruel twist of fate that completely shuffled the deck in the overall standings.
Originally published in French by La Solitaire du Figaro.
