Long, mentally draining and intensely tactical, the second stage of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec was won by rookie sailor Paul Loiseau, just ahead of Nicolas Lunven. After a fierce battle, Alexis Thomas took third place. In the overall standings, Tom Dolan, 5th in Pornichet, retains the lead. Analysis of this “infernal stage” with three Figaro experts: skippers Yoann Richomme and Jules Ducelier, alongside weather router Dominic Vittet.
It’s no exaggeration to say that arrival in Pornichet felt like a relief for the 36 sailors competing in the 2026 Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. After a first stage that was relatively straightforward, fast and committed, this second leg plunged the fleet into a completely different exercise: “One of the most complex and slowest stages I’ve ever seen!” says Yoann Richomme, an eight-time competitor and two-time winner (2016 and 2019). “Even from shore it was exhausting to follow, you felt for them,” continues the Paprec skipper, who was forced at the last minute to hand over the helm of his Figaro to Martin Le Pape due to rib injury.
Indeed, this stage from Vigo was all about endurance, with very light winds, thunderstorms and a highly unpredictable overall situation. “It was extremely difficult to define a strategy, nobody really had the solution, it’s the kind of stage where nothing is set in advance,” confirms Dominic Vittet. “Low-pressure systems were shifting randomly across the Bay of Biscay. We saw an incredible number of leaders, more than ten different names at the front — that never happens!”
In such light conditions, gaps were created less by strategic decisions than by the ability to make the most of every micro shift. “I think it mainly came down to consistency in boat speed and the ability to always be at the front of your group on every small gain, to come out ahead at each regrouping,” explains Normandy sailor Jules Ducelier (two participations, 4th in 2025).
Yoann Richomme shares the same view: “Those at the front at the finish are those who sailed the least distance. Staying fast, keeping composure and having the right energy at the right moment sounds simple, but it isn’t!” In this context, the slightest mistake or hesitation proved costly. “Most sailors lost out when they started tacking at 90 degrees,” notes Vittet. “Faced with uncertainty, you had to stay calm and avoid going off on your own. There were more ways to get eliminated than strategies to win.”
“Holding Nico Lunven
like that is impressive!”
In the middle of this tactical chaos, rookie Paul Loiseau, 22, stole the spotlight by winning this highly demanding stage. Already 7th in stage one and now 4th overall, the skipper of Région Bretagne CMB Espoir “is one of those talented young sailors capable of big breakthroughs,” says Richomme. “He managed to stay clear-headed right to the end, it was very, very clean!”
Already impressive early in the season with a strong 2nd place in the Trophée Laura Vergne, Loiseau is proving he has what it takes to compete at the front consistently, notes Vittet: “In this constant light-air scenario, he managed to maintain enough speed over four days, which is extremely mentally demanding.” Ducelier adds: “Even in straight-line sailing, he always managed to come out on top within his group. And above all, he never gave up. In such mentally exhausting conditions, holding Nico Lunven like that is impressive!”
The other standout performer was the PRB skipper, double Solitaire winner (2009 and 2017), who had already animated stage one (5th in Vigo). “His trajectory is extremely precise, straight and surgical,” says Ducelier. “His positioning within the group was always perfect. He rests at the right time and stays fully in control.”
“It’s a joy to watch him in full control,” adds Richomme. “He’s not the kind to make spectacular moves, but he is always fast. He masters the weather, the stakes, and his boat. For me, he is in a strong position ahead of stage three.”
Dolan–Lunven,
a clash of styles
In the overall standings, Irish sailor Tom Dolan, 5th in Pornichet, remains leader but now holds just 3 minutes and 38 seconds over the 44-year-old veteran. “The duel will be fascinating,” says Vittet. “Tom also showed strong form, fighting like a lion on this stage. I don’t see him giving up under pressure. He can seize opportunities, whereas Nico will be more conservative — two very different styles.”
Alexis Thomas (Wings of The Ocean) also remains firmly in contention after finishing 3rd on the stage. “His last twelve hours were incredible — he went from 10th to 3rd,” notes Richomme. For Vittet, the La Rochelle sailor, now 25 minutes behind Dolan, is a serious contender: “He’s fast, makes few mistakes and always comes back. He has everything it takes to become a great Solitaire winner.” Ducelier adds: “Alexis has always been fast, but now he can maintain that level throughout the race. He has clearly taken a mental step up.”
In ambush, 1h05 and 1h33 behind the leader respectively, Paul Morvan (Foricher-French Touch) and Martin Le Pape (Paprec), 6th and 7th on the stage, will also have “a real card to play” according to Richomme. “They are both solid and consistent. Martin lost a lot in the final miles of this stage — it was harsh on him — but nothing is decided yet.”
A brutal conclusion
However, this second stage proved costly for several favourites, including Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire), 2nd in stage one and 9th in Pornichet, hampered by the loss of his instruments during thunderstorms. “He is the big loser of the stage,” says Vittet. “I always tell sailors that when you’re not sure where to go, you go slower — and I think that’s what happened to him.”
Arno Biston (Article.1) and Tom Goron (Xplorassur), 17th and 28th respectively, also failed to make an impact. Forced to retire after a grounding at the entrance to the Ria de Muros, Paul Cousin (Région Normandie) will also have regrets. “He’ll probably want to perform well in the final stage, which passes close to home,” says Ducelier, himself a former Région Normandie skipper. “He may be slightly fresher than the others — that could be an advantage.”
After such a long and mentally exhausting stage, recovery will be crucial, especially as the start of the final leg between Pornichet and Le Havre has been postponed from Saturday to Sunday. Conditions are also expected to change dramatically. “On Wednesday they’ll face heavy downwind conditions in the Channel — it’s going to be tough,” warns Vittet. “This time, it will be pure Figaro sailing: breeze, rocks and strong currents,” adds Ducelier, while Richomme concludes: “We’ve seen stages like this before that really hurt the fleet. When fatigue builds up, the ability to attack at night becomes decisive. We’ll see who still has something left in the tank.”
Photo : MR / La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec
