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Tom Dolan on Smurfit Kappa-Kingspan Wins La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Leg 2
17 August – 15 September 2024
Irish solo offshore sailor Tom Dolan, sailing on Smurfit Kappa-Kingspan, showcased his sailing prowess by crossing the finish line off Royan at the mouth of France’s Gironde estuary at 14:06:20 hrs (local time) on Leg 2 of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. This leg covered a challenging distance of 515 miles from Gijón, NW Spain.
At 37 years old, Dolan became the first non-French competitor to win stages in two consecutive editions of this prestigious French solo multi-stage race, renowned as the pinnacle of solo offshore racing. Remarkably, Dolan’s victory comes after he was awarded first place in Stage 1 of last year’s race due to the disqualification of the original finisher for rules infringement.
An exhilarated Dolan expressed his satisfaction, saying, “It feels so good to win, to be the first boat across the line.” He emphasized that this race was about enjoyment, after facing challenges in previous editions that affected his decision-making due to fatigue and stress.
Maintaining his lead throughout the race, Dolan highlighted the joy of coming in with the fleet behind him. “Being in front coming in… is the most fun. I really wanted to win a leg in my own right,” he added. The sailor, now in his seventh challenge for La Solitaire du Figaro, was relieved to finally hear the winning gun after many past experiences where leads were dramatically lost near the finish.
Dolan attributed his success to a strategic decision made early in the race, allowing him to capitalize on favorable winds while others struggled. He was the first to turn north at the Isla Sisarga Grande islands, earning a time bonus for his lead, and sailed across the Bay of Biscay to secure his victory in Royan.
Starting this leg with a slight time deficit behind the leader, Dolan finished strong, with a gap of 41 minutes and 59 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher, Gaston Morvan (Région Bretagne-CMB Performance), and 50 minutes and 26 seconds ahead of Charlotte Yven (Skipper Macif 2023).
In terms of historical context, multiple non-French sailors have previously won stages, underscoring the competitive nature of the event. Noteworthy names include Swiss sailor Laurent Bourgnon and English sailor Clare Francis, indicating that Dolan’s accomplishment is a significant achievement in the race’s history.
As Dolan prepares for the next stages, he remains mindful of the unpredictable conditions that can arise at the end of races, which have previously thwarted competitors. “We will see what happens from here. I am not thinking beyond this at the moment,” he stated, ready to embrace the challenges ahead.
For this leg, Dolan completed the theoretical 515-mile route with a time of 2 days, 23 hours, 44 minutes, and 20 seconds, while covering an actual distance of 534.63 miles at an average speed of 7.45 knots.
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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.
