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Tom Dolan: “A Joyous Slam-Dunk of a Leg Victory!”
This Wednesday, on 4 September, at 2:06 pm, Tom Dolan crossed the finish line in the second leg of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, securing a fabulous victory (prior to the jury’s decision) after a three-day sprint from Gijón to Royan.
The race saw him take the lead right from the opening night, skillfully managing the fleet all the way to the finish line. The skipper of Smurfit Kappa – Kingspan executed a series of impressive strategic moves, allowing him to extend his lead over the competition and take the top position in the provisional overall ranking. He now boasts a significant advantage over the second-placed boat, continuing his aspiration to be the first Irishman to win this prestigious event!
Having achieved his first leg victory in the last edition of the race between Caen and Kinsale, Tom Dolan once again showcased remarkable skill and audacity in the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. On Wednesday, he celebrated another leg victory after a 515-mile sprint from Gijón (Spain) to Royan (France), passing through the Sisargas archipelago.
“I’m obviously happy! There are times when everything links together like clockwork, and that’s how things played out this time. I had real flow. I did everything I wanted to do, and everything worked like a charm,” said the delighted Irish sailor. He made a strategic choice during the calm conditions of the first night at sea, preferring to head west while the others aimed north. This decision allowed him to be the first to catch the breeze and reach the front, giving him a significant advantage.
A Virtually Textbook Race on a Strategic Level
“As I crossed tacks with the fleet, I realized I’d pulled a blinder, but I also knew that there was still a long way to go before reaching Royan. My plan was to stay windward of the fleet, and I adhered to that throughout. I endured three sleepless nights at sea and remained focused on my boat speed. The constantly shifting wind kept me on my toes, leading me to make quick adjustments to my sails, switching between the spinnaker and gennaker. There wasn’t a moment’s rest,” Tom shared, who only learned the full extent of his lead over his rivals upon crossing the finish line.
His lead amounts to over 40 minutes ahead of the second boat and nearly an hour over the fifth boat, setting him up with a commanding position over some of his main competitors. These include Elodie Bonafous, Alexis Loison, and Basile Bourgnon, who find themselves nearly 20 miles behind, equating to a deficit of more than three hours.
Keeping a Grip on the Top Spot
“I chose not to listen to the latest rankings since I wanted to remain focused. I was concerned that if I learned I had too large a lead, I might become complacent! (Laughs) Ultimately, it’s a joyous slam-dunk of a leg victory. I didn’t venture off alone, nor did I take an extreme risk. I just played my hand strategically, and that’s incredibly satisfying. However, I’m keeping a cool head moving forward as I know that there’s still everything to play for. Anything could happen!” concluded Tom Dolan, now the first overseas skipper to win a leg in two consecutive editions of the event. He currently sits in the top position in the provisional overall ranking, with the final leg—a 610-mile sprint to La Turballe—set to start on Sunday, 8 September.
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Luca Moretti, an accomplished sailor and marine journalist from Genoa, Italy, has a lifelong passion for the sea that has defined his career. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Genoa, Luca is celebrated for his vivid and insightful storytelling. His work captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime traditions of Europe, making him a well-respected voice in the sailing community. When he’s not writing, Luca can be found exploring the Mediterranean’s picturesque coastlines and competing in regattas, always seeking new adventures on the open water.
