Competition Articles
The iconic regatta set off from Valletta, the capital of the enchanting island of Malta, navigating the scenic 606-nautical mile course encompassing Sicily and two live volcanoes. The prestigious Rolex Middle Sea Trophy awaits the overall victor on corrected time. Over the years, a diverse array of yachts and crews has clinched this coveted title with the quickest vessels aiming for line honors. As it stands, the current monohull course record is a rapid-fire 40 hours, 17 minutes, and 50 seconds, set in 2021.
In 2025, the grandest yacht to traverse the ocean blue is the Black Jack 100, a 100-ft Maxi tipped as the front runner for monohull line honors. On the other end of the scale, the smallest yet equally fierce competitor is the 30.93m Farr 30 Calypso, skippered by Sebastian Ripard and Daniel Calascione.
The 56th installment of the esteemed La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec regatta kicked off with a meteoric Channel crossing that kept the avid Figaro sailors on their toes with a steady stream of maneuvers and mark roundings. Inside this constant zigzag, the sailors shared in the relief of completing the final course mark of this first leg, symbolized by the Needles Fairway buoy.
The leg, characterized by the stunning chalk cliffs contrasting with the restless sea but offering little time for sightseeing, is projected to wrap up early Thursday morning in the charming town of Roscoff, located in the breathtaking Bay of Morlaix.
