Paul Morvan takes the podium in the 1st leg of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2026

He was determined in Perros-Guirec and, according to everyone, the skipper of Foricher-French Touch was one of the outsiders to watch. Paul Morvan confirms all the good things we thought about him by taking third place (before the jury) in this first 610-mile leg to Vigo (Spain).

The first leg was marked by upwind sailing in a close-knit fleet and the passage of a front in the Bay of Biscay with strong winds (gusting to around 35 knots) and heavy seas. Always in position and in contact, Paul Morvan held his own despite his difficulties in getting into the rhythm of the race and the breaking of a shroud on the second day of the race, which he managed to repair on Wednesday.

The yachtsman managed to stay focused, never losing sight of his ultimate goal: to be as fresh as possible for the landing on the Spanish coast, which was going to be tricky due to the light winds expected. A prediction confirmed by the race directors, who informed the sailors on Wednesday evening that the course would be shortened with the positioning of a gate off Cape Finisterre, in order to avoid a too perilous finish. This will also enable the sailors to enjoy three nights' rest before the start of the second leg to Pornichet. The race kicks off at 16:00 on Sunday 24 May.

A complex start, both mentally and meteorologically

"The conditions on the water were really difficult for the first few days. We were mentally unprepared for it. The wind was much stronger than forecast, the rain never stopped, we were underwater, soaking wet, like the middle of winter. It was difficult to go outside and we were being tossed about.

Mentally, I found it hard to get into the match and get into the race. I lacked speed, I didn't have the pace and I told myself that the reality of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec had nothing to do with what happens in training in the Baie de la Forêt or during pre-season races. I was given a wake-up call. I changed some settings but I felt that I couldn't find the keys. I didn't have the pace or the mental attitude of a guy who wanted to win. I really questioned myself."

A technical glitch that refocuses

"My technical problem put a lot of pressure on me! What's more, it happened just after Marin Carnot had dismasted, so I wondered whether I was going to manage to finish the race. I was inside when I heard an unusual noise. I saw the cable dragging in the water. In the end I lifted my foot off the gas, took a bit of tension off the rigging to relieve the mast and that did it, I managed to repair it. This event made me switch to competition mode and start again."

The long-awaited Spain

"I had targeted this end of the course, which promised to be extremely strategic. You have to arrive fresh to go for a ranking. I was really happy that we were approaching Spain, that the wind was dropping and that tactics were taking over from the speed aspect, because that's where I really enjoy myself. It's transcendent.

The last 24 hours have been very demanding, there wasn't much wind and it was hard to predict what was going to happen. Throughout the night, I battled with Nicolas Lunven and Loïs Berrehar: one is a double winner of La Solitaire and the other has been one of the top names in Figaro Beneteau 3 for the past 5 years and will be moving up to IMOCA next year... And me, a little thumb in the middle of it all and managing to hold them off too! I've taken a small step forward, which feels good."

Shot of confidence

"I'd been dreaming of a podium finish in the Solitaire for a while, it was one of my goals. I wanted to do well on this leg and the rest is just a bonus. I've already had a good year: I won a pre-season race... (the Solo Guy Cotten, editor's note)With a podium finish on this first leg, I'll be able to sail freely and enjoy the rest of the race as much as possible. We'll see where it takes me, but there's no pressure to get a result."

Two more steps to follow!

Foricher - Les Moulins has supported Paul Morvan for many years