There’s Much Left to Accomplish!
Tom Dolan: “Everything still remains to be done!”
At around 1pm this Thursday, Tom Dolan and his fellow competitors in the 55th edition of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec arrived in Gijón as a pack.
The top twenty boats all crossed the line in just five minutes, showcasing a remarkably close finish after 615 miles of racing over four days at sea. The scores remain almost level after this first leg, indicating that much more is yet to unfold. The Smurfit Kappa – Kingspan skipper, who secured a 9th place finish, anticipated this outcome even before departing the Bay of Seine the previous weekend, which plays in his favor as there’s still plenty to strategize.
“I told you so! As is often the case in Figaro, we put in a tremendous effort for four days trying to gain an advantage, yet we all arrive at the same time! I’m tempted to say: was it all worth it?” commented Tom Dolan upon arriving in Spain early this afternoon. After a challenging span in the Bay of Biscay, the competitors ultimately arrived extremely tightly grouped off the Asturias coast. The overall standings exhibit minuscule gaps, although some, like Alexis Loison, appeared to have gained a notable lead 24 hours earlier. “The main pack was playing with fire by getting too close to the ridge. In my opinion, Alex navigated the weather smartly, but ultimately the main group converged in the calm five miles from the finish and restarted simultaneously when a line of wind came in from offshore. It’s unfortunate, but that’s how it goes. Personally, I’d rather be just 3 minutes and 32 seconds behind the leader than several hours off pace. It’s practically nothing,” said the seasoned Irishman, who is aware from past experiences that finishes in Spain can significantly impact race outcomes, as history has illustrated.
A positive overall outcome
“At this stage, everything remains to be done. We are all on an equal footing, or close to it, so the situation is undoubtedly favorable,” added the skipper of Smurfit Kappa – Kingspan, who demonstrated impressive speed, especially in slightly brisk conditions. “For once, I had a solid start. On the flip side, my onboard feeling wasn’t exceptional. Ultimately, it’s not a major concern, as I didn’t miss any opportunities. There were some genuinely enjoyable moments, like one morning sailing downwind in the rain on perfectly flat seas or during the lengthy tack under gennaker towards Wolf Rock, despite having to reverse a few times to clear some seaweed and a plastic bag caught in the boat’s appendages. Overall, I’m quite satisfied with this first leg. It reaffirms what we already knew: it’s going to be incredibly close! Everyone is eager to claim victory!” Tom remarked, indicating he will take some time to rest before embarking on the second leg (605 miles to Royan via Cape Finisterre) scheduled for Sunday, 1st September.
Source
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.