The third edition of Le Défi Paprec once again confirms its role as a gateway to the elite of ocean sailing. Six crews will set sail on May 17 from Perros-Guirec bound for Vigo on a demanding 610-nautical-mile leg that will allow young sailors to live and compete alongside the participants of the prestigious La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, considered one of the world’s premier training grounds for offshore sailing.
A real gateway to elite competition
Few competitions offer such a direct immersion into the world of elite ocean sailing as Le Défi Paprec. Organized by OC Sport Pen Duick and the Paprec Group, the event replicates the competitive environment of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, but in a two-crew format.
The route between Perros-Guirec and Vigo is a technically demanding and challenging crossing, shaped by Atlantic weather conditions, rest management, and tactics for both coastal and ocean sailing. The start will take place just fifteen minutes after the main Solitaire fleet, which this year consists of 36 sailors.
Beyond the sailing itself, the experience includes spending time at the regatta’s official village, an environment that replicates the media and competitive pressure of the professional circuit. Over the course of several days, the young skippers share dock space, attend briefings, and train alongside some of the top specialists on the Figaro Beneteau 3.
Vigo is establishing itself as a strategic stopover for the Solitaire
The fleet’s arrival in Vigo will once again strengthen the ties between Galicia and the international ocean-going sailing community. The regatta village, set up in the Portocultura harbor basin, will be open from May 21 to 24 with free admission and a program open to the public that will include concerts, children’s workshops, cooking demonstrations, educational activities, and interactive exhibits.
The Galician stop has become one of the main highlights of the French competition, both because of the sailing conditions in the estuary and the growing connection between Spanish Atlantic sailing and the Figaro circuit.
Figaro, a school of champions
The Figaro Beneteau class continues to uphold its reputation as one of the most competitive one-design classes in the world. The technical parity among the boats makes every maneuver and every tactical decision a decisive factor.
Many of today’s leading figures in French ocean sailing got their start on this circuit. That is precisely what makes Le Défi Paprec so valuable: it allows new talent to take their first steps in a highly competitive environment.
Sailors such as Pierrick Le Touzé and Lola Billy, who have competed in previous editions of Le Défi, have already made the leap to La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, confirming the race’s role as a true breeding ground for professional offshore sailing.
Young talent and growing international recognition
The 2026 edition will bring together four French crews and two international crews, reflecting the Figaro Circuit’s growing global appeal.
Among the notable names is Croatian Ivica Kostelić, a four-time Olympic medalist in alpine skiing, who will compete alongside Turkish sailor Deniz Bagci aboard the Amelicor. Following his successful athletic career on the slopes, Kostelić continues to build a strong track record in ocean sailing.
Germany’s Jens Meieer and New Zealand’s Oakley Marsh will also be competing in the Chipmunk, underscoring the international scope of a competition that continues to attract participants from both Olympic sailing and other sports.
As of now, the official entry list updated as of May 12 does not include any Spanish teams among the confirmed crews for Le Défi Paprec.
For many participants, the voyage to Vigo represents the first major step toward a greater goal: to return one day to the same starting line, but this time as solo sailors and full-fledged members of the legendary Solitaire du Figaro Paprec.
