An update to Tom Dolan's tale (Ad Lib 61) and an apology from me. Far from playing tidal cat and mouse, with the treacherous reefs of the Raz de Sein, in the dark; Tom fell victim to fatigue, at an ill fated moment, during a 'lull' in the fast paced race. In Tom's own words:
More about the race:
Tom was leading Leg (Etape) 3 of the prestigious Solitaire du Figaro. With hopes justifiably high for an overall win. After Tom taking first place in the 2024 edition.
Following in the illustrious footsteps of the three Vendee Globe 2024 podium sitters. Figaro sailors all. Who successfully transferred the relentless round-the-clock pace, for which the Solitaire du Figaro is renowned, to their solo circumnavigation. Each handsomely beating the course record (of 74 days, set by Armel Le Cleac'h in 2016).
More about the boat: The Figaro, produced by the French boatbuilding behemoth Beneteau, entered its third generation sporting foils. Which generate lift to leeward. To resist the heeling forces of the sails. Enabling more canvas to be carried in higher winds. Without the need for weighty of water ballast and with a lighter keel bulb to boot.
In other respects, the concept of the Figaro 3 remains remarkably similar to that of her predecessors. Namely a (relatively) simple and affordable, thirty five footer, suitable for solo or short-handed One-Design racing. The Figaro 1 debuted in 1990. Designed specifically for a sailing circuit to be sponsored by Le Figaro newspaper. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
Picture Credits
Tom Dolan air lift from the Raz de Sein courtsey of Thomas Campion
Tom Dolan's tale screenshot courtesy of tomdolanracing.com
La Solitaire du Figaro 2026 course chart courtesy of lasolitaire.com
Vendee Globe 2024 rankings screenshot courtesy of vendeeglobe.org
Figaro 3 pictures courtesy of beneteau.com
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