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55th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Leg 1 Day 4
17 August – 15 September 2024
Tom Dolan – 55th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Leg 1 Day 4 © Alexis Courcoux
With just 140 nautical miles remaining in the first leg of the 55th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, the competition is intense. There is less than two miles separating the leader, Lois Berrehar (Skipper MACIF 2022), from tenth place, Maëlle Garnier (Selencia-Cerfrance).
During the day, groups formed behind the leaders, with predictions indicating that the top boats from different packs – west, middle, and east of the rhumb line – could arrive at the finish line within fifteen minutes of each other.
Berrehar’s lead is minimal, with Elodie Bonafous (Quéguiner-La Vie en Rose) closely behind. Long-time leader Alexis Loison (GROUPE REEL) experienced a drop in position as he moved east but maintained ninth place, while Ireland’s Tom Dolan is currently in eighth place aboard Smurfit Kappa-Kingspan.
The sailors faced a challenging night with numerous tacks to optimize the changing wind conditions. Three distinct groups formed, with the western boats taking a longer course while the central and eastern competitors tacked early to head south for a direct route to Spain.
Amélie Juvien, Deputy Race Director, stated, “The competitors passed a cold front that wasn’t very active during the morning. Initial winds were around fifteen knots but soon eased. The crews had the opportunity to utilize the wind effectively and set their spinnakers earlier in the west.” By late afternoon, the leaders enjoyed about 10-12 knots from the northwest as they passed the latitude of Bordeaux.
Dolan, who claimed victory in the first leg last year, remarked, “The fleet has spread considerably throughout the night, with some opting for the east and others the west. We are currently navigating around the ridge of high pressure. Although I tried to avoid it by heading further east, it’s nice to have sunny weather to dry our clothes. We anticipate a gradual wind shift and we’ll be gybing to end up on the port tack towards Gijón. The boat is positioned sideways to the waves, making it pretty bumpy. I plan to rest when the seas calm down a bit.”
The Assistant Race Director added, “The ridge of high pressure is shifting eastward, making it difficult to determine which strategy will prove most beneficial. There exists a windless area in the northern part of Gijón, and it’s unclear whether the wind will be established or remain light. Depending on these conditions, the situation could change rapidly, potentially resulting in a north wind influenced by thermal effects along the coast.”
In the Défi Paprec, a two-handed stage on the same course, Britain’s Ellie Driver and David Paul have moved into third place on Chilli Pepper, trailing the French duo in second by just 0.3 of a mile, and are fifteen miles behind the leaders.
Germany’s Sanni Beucke (This Race is Female) had to retire due to damage but has made necessary repairs and is now in transit to Gijón to prepare for Stage 2.
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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.
