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55th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Leg 2 Day 3
17 August – 15 September 2024
Tom Dolan leads towards Royan and Stage 2 finish line
Currently, Ireland’s Tom Dolan (Smurfit Kappa-Kingspan) holds a clear lead of over five nautical miles as he approaches the finish line for Stage 2 off Royan. With less than 190 miles to go, Dolan is optimistic that his concerns about potential windlessness at the finish, akin to Stage 1 into Gijón, will not come to fruition.
Dolan has been at the forefront of the 36 strong fleet of solo racers since the turn back northwards across the Bay of Biscay on Monday afternoon. He remains the quickest among the lead group and is positioned well to navigate through a developing ridge of high pressure. Race Direction predicts that the leading sailors should cross the finish line around 1600 hours on Wednesday afternoon.
If Dolan maintains his lead and secures this Stage 2 victory, it will mark his second leg win of his career. Having started the leg in ninth place, just 5 minutes and 31 seconds behind the leader, he is set up well for the final Stage.
The conditions on Monday night were challenging, with a leftover swell of two meters coupled with clouds causing unpredictable wind patterns. As a result, the fleet has spread out significantly due to irregular wind conditions and zones of calm that presented difficult navigational challenges. Some competitors at the back of the fleet faced additional setbacks this morning.
Chasing Dolan are Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean) and Gaston Morvan (Région Bretagne – CMB Performance). A close race is also underway between Alexis Loison (Groupe REEL) in 10th place and Basile Bourgnon (EDENRED) in 11th, who are trailing Dolan by 26.4 and 27.8 miles, respectively. Additionally, Loison is positioned fourth overall while Bourgnon currently leads the provisional general classification.
Despite the wind reestablishing, the gaps between the leaders and the trailing competitors have widened. The wind forecast indicates variability up until tomorrow, yet progress is expected to continue for all competitors. However, it seems unlikely that the back of the fleet will catch up to the leaders, according to Amélie Juvien, the Deputy Race Director. She noted that only a few strategic moves remain, and the sailors must stay keenly aware of real-time conditions on the water.
As stated by Hugo Dhalenne (YCSL – Primatice – SLB Pharma): “In theory, the course is a straight line direct to Royan, but in practice, we have a lot of clouds that force us to take a different route depending on wind variations. I have between 12 to 22 knots under gennaker and I’m surrounded by strong competitors like Martin Le Pape (DEMAIN) and Charlotte Yven (Skipper Macif 2023).”
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Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.
