Lauded Skipper Tom Dolan makes compelling comeback in the season opener of the 2026 Figaro with a Top-Ten Finish

Held in Concarneau, France, the season opener of the 2026 Figaro was replete with challenging seas and testing winds, to which the fleet found themselves in a fierce battle against the elements. One skipper who stood out in this test was Tom Dolan of Kingspan. Despite jumping the gun at the start, Dolan exhibited a spectactular display of skill, resilience, and consistence, positioning himself in the top-ten as the season commenced.

Following a withdrawal from last year’s race, Dolan entered this race with a guarded optimism, only for his enthusiasm for offshore racing to be reignited by 4-5 metre swells and heavy winds. With two inshore legs and a double points offshore leg in play, the week was set to be a thrilling affair.

Dolan, however, didn’t have it all his way. During the first overnight leg, the Solo Guy Cotten Offshore Race, Dolan found himself battling speed issues. Only with the sunrise was he able to discover the plastic on the keel causing the problem. Yet once identified, even this obstacle became a stepping-stone to his final triumph.

Buoyed by this highly successful opener to his current season, Dolan is now training his sights on the next challenge: the Trophée Banque Populaire Grand Ouest. This 800-mile double-handed offshore race set to commence on 15 April, in which he is set to compete alongside long-time sailing partner and mentor, Gildas Mahé. The coming season seems laded with promise for this formidable sailor and his followers.