Figaro : les dernières infos Tip & Shaft

It is the Solo Guy Cotten that, from March 6 to 14, will kick off the new season of the Figaro Beneteau circuit, marked by a reshuffled calendar, with a springtime Solitaire, but also the return of former heavyweights of the circuit, coming back to test themselves against the younger generation. 

A partner of Arnaud Boissières in the Imoca class since 2015, La Mie Câline, a Vendée-based franchise network (€200 million in turnover, 235 stores nationwide, employing approximately 2,500 people), has announced “the end of this chapter”. Its CEO, David Giraudeau, explains the move to Sailorz.

The 56th edition of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec was won on Thursday night by Alexis Loison (Groupe Réel), who achieved a near grand slam, ahead of Charlotte Yven (Skipper Macif 2023) and Arno Biston (Article.1). Sailorz debriefs this Solitaire with two former winners, Pierre Quiroga (2021) and Corentin Horeau (2023), Loïs Berrehar (3rd in 2023 and 2nd in 2024), Lorient-based coach Tanguy Leglatin and router Dominic Vittet.

The first stage of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec ended on Thursday with Alexis Loison (Groupe Réel) taking the win ahead of the two Skipper Macif sailors, Hugo Dhallenne and Charlotte Yven. To debrief on these 638 miles between Rouen and Morlaix Bay, Tip & Shaft was joined by Erwan Tabarly, coach at the Finistère centre in Port-la-Forêt, router Dominic Vittet, Basile Bourgnon and Gaston Morvan, each of whom has a podium finish in the Solitaire to their credit (2nd in 2023 and 3rd in 2024 respectively).

35 skippers will set sail on Sunday for the 56th edition of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. On the agenda: 1,850 miles over three legs between Rouen and Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, via Fastnet, Morlaix Bay and Vigo, Spain. Who will be at the forefront this year? 

The Transat Paprec, contested for the second time in mixed doubles, sets off from Concarneau on Sunday, bound for Saint-Barthélemy (3,890 miles). As before every major race, Tip & Shaft has brought together a panel of experts to discuss the line-up.

The press conference for the 2025 edition of the Transat Paprec, which sets off from Concarneau on April 20, was held on Thursday at Paprec Bretagne’s headquarters in Le Rheu, near Rennes. For the past two years, this transatlantic race has contested by mixed doubles, with this year 19 tandems at the start compared with 11 in 2023, proof that the format has found its audience.

After the Ocean Fifty class last week, we continue our tour of the classes with, this Friday, the Figaro Beneteau class, which continues to focus on  diversity gender and youth training, a strategy that seems to be bearing fruit, with registrations on the rise and boats not depreciating in value despite the tense economic climate. The only fly in the ointment is the financing of the races, and therefore the calendar.

Tom Dolan won the 55th edition of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec on Wednesday at the end of the final leg between Royan and La Turballe, won, like the first, by Loïs Berrehar, 2nd overall ahead of Gaston Morvan. To debrief the event, Tip & Shaft spoke to Gildas Mahé and Marcus Hutchinson, who know the Irish winner well, as well as Corentin Horeau, the title holder, and Yann Chateau, the race director.   

Tom Dolan won the second leg of the 55th edition of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec between Gijon and Royan, ahead of Gaston Morvan and Charlotte Yven. Tip & Shaft takes a closer look at this race, in which several favourites lost out big time, with former Figaro racers Guillaume Pirouelle and Achille Nebout and meteorologist – and former Figaro racer – Dominic Vittet.

The Tour Voile sets off from Dunkirk on Wednesday 26 June, finishing in Saint-Cast-le-Guildo on 14 July. 103 sailors, including 36 women (from 15 crews), will be battling it out in Figaro Beneteau 3 on coastal races and offshore legs. Tip & Shaft takes a look back at this 45th edition. 

Elodie Bonafous is contesting her fifth season on the Figaro Beneteau circuit this year, with ambitions of a podium finish in the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. At the same time, the skipper of Quéguiner-La Vie en rose is working on her Imoca Horizon 29 project with a Verdier design currently under construction at MerConcept. Before the start of the BPGO Trophy (15-25 May), which she is racing with Corentin Horeau, Tip & Shaft spoke to the 28-year-old sailor.