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The 57th edition of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec not only crowned a winner. It also highlighted the qualities that are now essential for success in one of the most hotly contested regattas on the French calendar. Here's a look back at the factors that enabled Nicolas Lunven to claim a third victory, following those achieved in 2009 and 2017.
A return to the Figaro after a nine-year absence: how to get back into the one-design rhythm
Returning to the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec after an absence of almost a decade was an ambitious gamble. During this period, Nicolas Lunven pursued his career at the highest level of ocean racing, notably in the IMOCA class. However, experience acquired on the big monohulls does not automatically guarantee success on a Figaro.
The one-design requires a particular approach. Speed differences are reduced, and the slightest tactical error is immediately reflected in the rankings. Right from the start of his preparations in January 2026, the Breton sailor noted the technical lead of the circuit's specialists. This realization led him to intensify his training and confrontations prior to the start of the Solitaire.
His results in the preparatory races quickly confirmed his growing power. They also showed that solid ocean sailing experience remains an asset when combined with a great deal of adaptation work.
Sleep management, always a determining factor
Testimonies gathered at the finish in Le Havre show the intensity of this edition. Several competitors explain that they only slept for a few dozen minutes on certain sections of the route. Alexis Thomas, for example, describes a particularly grueling stage, with very little rest accumulated over several days.
In this area, Nicolas Lunven rediscovered the automatisms that had already made his reputation during his previous victories. Sleep management, on-board organization and the ability to perform despite fatigue were all key factors in his consistency.
This consistency is reflected in his stage rankings: fifth, second and fourth. No spectacular feats, but a permanent presence among the frontrunners.
Why experience won out over this 2026 edition
Tom Dolan's retirement on the final leg had a profound effect on the overall classification. But to reduce Nicolas Lunven's victory to this episode would be to forget the essential.
Throughout the race, several sailors demonstrated remarkable speed. Paul Morvan, Alexis Thomas and even Paul Loiseau regularly animated the debates. However, when it came down to it, it was the most experienced sailor who came out on top.
Experience brings several advantages. It makes it easier to read complex weather situations. It also helps to avoid strategic errors as the pressure mounts. Last but not least, it helps to better manage the emotional variations that accompany a race over several weeks.
At the age of 42, Nicolas Lunven has shown that sporting maturity is still a major factor in a discipline where gains are often measured in minutes after several hundred miles have been sailed. Joining Philippe Poupon, Jean Le Cam, Michel Desjoyeaux, Yann Eliès, Jérémie Beyou and Armel Le Cléac'h among the three-time winners of the event, the Breton skipper has definitively written his name into the history of French ocean racing.
