By Thomas Howson — La Solitaire du Figaro
The 57th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec has wrapped up in style, once again living up to its famous motto: “Here Legends Are Born”. From Perros-Guirec to Le Havre, via Vigo and Pornichet, the 36 competing sailors put on a display of rare intensity. Here’s the full breakdown—the numbers, the drama, and the impact of this unmissable maritime event.
A veteran’s triumph and emerging talent shines bright
The standout winner this year is the race elder statesman, Nicolas Lunven (PRB). At 44 years old, he claimed victory with a combined time of 11 days, 2 hours, 46 minutes and 19 seconds. Close behind, the next generation proved their mettle: Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean) secured an impressive second place in his sixth outing, clocking 11 days, 3 hours, 15 minutes and 26 seconds. Paul Morvan (Foricher – French Touch) rounded out the podium on only his third participation, finishing in 11 days, 3 hours, 32 minutes and 20 seconds.
The racing proved incredibly tight: the smallest gap in the overall standings was just 2 minutes and 9 seconds between Arthur Meurisse (Kiloutou) and Laure Galley (Hauterive). On the human side, the generational mix captured hearts—pitting Nicolas Lunven’s experience against the audacity of 19-year-old Benjamin Tom Goron.
In the Défi Paprec double-handed division, Thomas Dinas and Eliott Coville (Auray Quiberon by Orlabay) took the prize in 3 days, 23 hours, 16 minutes and 29 seconds.
A committed event with local roots and environmental responsibility
La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec is far more than a sporting feat—it’s a major community celebration committed to ecological transition:
Strong local anchor: The four stopover villages welcomed the public across 20 days and 6,046 m² of space. Local passion: 86% of visitors were locals or tourists living within 20 km. Outstanding corporate responsibility: 70% of visitors chose active transport (walking and cycling) to reach the event, up 18% from the 2025 edition.
Record-breaking media and digital reach
Public enthusiasm translated into exceptional audience numbers across all channels:
Growing fanbase: The global community has now reached 90,811 followers, a jump of 13.1% versus 2025. Virtual excitement: Virtual Regatta attracted 15,259 players (+41% vs 2025). Viral moments: Videos racked up over 7.6 million views, driven in particular by the stunning helicopter rescue of Tom Dolan (978,000 cumulative views). Major economic impact: Media returns totalled €35 million in France (7,290 articles) and exceeded €11 million in Spain (352 articles).
This 57th edition will be remembered as an exceptional vintage, blending elite sporting performance, environmental responsibility, and genuine community passion.
Originally published in French by La Solitaire du Figaro.
