By Thomas Campion — La Solitaire du Figaro
The final hours at sea are shaping up to be every bit as intense and unpredictable as the last leg of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2026. With less than 100 nautical miles to go, the fleet can finally see the finish line after several days of gruelling racing marked by physical exhaustion, relentless sail changes and sleep reduced to brief snatches between watch rotations. Currently leading the fleet on this leg, Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper Macif 2025) is pushing hard towards the Seine Bay. Fatigue is now omnipresent aboard every boat. Faces are drawn, bodies pushed to their limits, but the intensity hasn’t dropped for a second. In these final hours, no one can afford to ease off. Crossing paths with other competitors out there reveals the toll the race is taking – movements become sluggish, manoeuvres slower. Paul Loiseau (Région Bretagne – CMB Espoir) looked absolutely knackered as he worked to hoist his gennaker. Just astern of him, flying a different sail configuration with his GV 1 reefed and heavy spinnaker, Adrien Hardy appeared to have switched into business mode – one hand on the wheel, the other working the winch handle. Faster through the water, he’s steadily eating into the rookie’s lead. Nicolas Lunven (PRB) is flying the flag as provisional overall leader following Tom Dolan’s retirement. With a 3.8 nautical mile deficit to Hugo Dhallenne and just under two miles on Paul Morvan – his nearest rival for the overall – Nicolas Lunven looks to have all the right cards to cross the line as the race winner. A third victory is within sight. After hundreds of nautical miles across the Atlantic, down the Spanish coast, through Breton waters and into the English Channel, the finish is in sight. But before savouring the well-earned rest, these sailors will need to dig deep one last time. Everything points to a spectacular finish at Le Havre – a finale worthy of a Solitaire du Figaro Paprec that’s kept the fleet on their toes from start to finish.
Originally published in French by La Solitaire du Figaro.
