21 May IRISH SKIPPER TOM DOLAN RETURNS TO WINNING FORM
Irish skipper Tom Dolan makes a triumphant return to the 2026 Solitaire du Figaro, winning the opening leg with a commanding 40‑minute lead, making good on a promise to come back stronger after last year’s injury disappointment. Although the course was shortened due to deteriorating weather conditions, Dolan crossed the finish line at 06:51 (Spanish time) this morning, sailing into a sunrise off the coast of Cap Finisterre.
Finishing Leg one in three days and twenty hours, his bold decision early in the race to stay west as the fleet crossed the English Channel proved decisive. The move propelled him to round the first waypoint of the south coast of England in fourth place before he steadily built momentum sailing across the Bay of Biscay toward Spain, ultimately taking control of the leg and securing first position.
“A good start is half the battle” remarks a delighted Dolan. “The idea was to get west of the fleet as soon as I could and was kind off the overall idea of the whole race. Once I had positioned myself there everything came in, the shifts, the squalls, the gusts from the west just that little bit sooner than for everyone else.”
“It’s always really special to win a leg of the Figaro, especially after being forced to retire last year before making it to Vigo, having to get in the car and leave the boat behind, unable to continue racing, I really felt as if I was at rock bottom in my career. So being able to reach Vigo having settled the score is a big win for me” Kingspan skipper reflects on the significance of this win for him
Dolan has now claimed three Figaro leg victories, his first in Kinsale, Ireland in 2023, followed by a decisive win in the second leg of the 2024 edition, the result that ultimately secured his Championship title.
He returns to the next start line this Sunday with a 40‑minute advantage. It offers some breathing room, but is far from a decisive margin, and he’ll need to work hard in the coming days studying the pressure for the next leg and taking the chance to recover to protect his lead.
“While I’m delighted with this result, it’s still all to play for and plenty more work to be done.”
The 36 boat fleet will depart for the 450 nautical mile leg to Pornichet, France on Sunday 24th May.
