On The Dock in Perros-Guirec!
The countdown is officially over. Myself and Jens are currently on the ground in Perros-Guirec, where the race village is buzzing with energy ahead of our departure on May 17, 2026.
After months of preparation and a confidence-booster at the BPGO (Banque Populaire Grand Ouest)earlier last month, the reality of the start line is finally here.
The Mission: A Double-Handed Sprint
While the solo skippers of the La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec prepare for their marathon, Jens Meiser and I are gearing up for the Défi Paprec. We’ll be taking on the entire first leg of the course, from the pink granite rocks of Brittany to the vibrant port of Vigo, Spain, in a high-intensity, double-handed format.
This race is a vital bridge in my first season in the Figaro Beneteau 3 class. It gives us the chance to push the boat to its absolute limit while sharing the tactical and physical load, serving as the ultimate "training ground" for the full professional circuit.
The Road to Vigo
The course ahead is as beautiful as it is brutal. We are staring at a race with weather conditions developing to be intense and complicated. The course broken down starts at Perros-Guirec and jumps straight into the Brittany coast and English Channel. A tactical chess match against complex tides and treacherous headlands.Wolf Rock located off the south western tip of the United Kingdom will be our first major milestone, rounding the iconic lighthouse will be an exciting moment!
The Bay of Biscay can be the defining stretch of open water where the Atlantic weather will dictate our fate.The Galician Finish will be a final charge south to cross the line in Vigo.
Final Thoughts
Heading into this event, I feel confident and happy to be one of the few internationals competing in this elite racing circuit. Just this journey to get to the start line of this race is an adventure in itself and with many learnings along the way. Being alongside the main event La Solitaire du Figaro is awesome and I wish all the skippers a good race and give a few extra to my mates competing in this years edition. Hopefully another kiwi takes that start line again soon 😎
Follow our progress live via the race tracker and stay tuned for updates from the Bay of Biscay!
Quick Stats:
Departure: May 17, 10:30 AM
The Boat: Figaro Beneteau 3
The Goal: Vigo, Spain (~21 May)