The skippers of the Transat Paprec under the microscope
by Transat Paprec 3 Apr 21:51 UTC
20 April 2025
In 12 days' time, the iconic 100% mixed transatlantic race between Concarneau and Saint-Barthélemy, Transat Paprec, will get under way.
The event, unmissable in ocean racing, is shaping up to be particularly hotly contested. Who will prevail? Who will finish on the podium, the 'top 10'? Who will surprise us? While the race village will open on Tuesday, April 15th, here's an overview of a particularly competitive line-up.
Victory in sight
Race director Francis Le Goff is careful when it comes to predicting the winner: "The race is very open, with many skippers discovering the Transat Paprec for the first time or still finding their feet in the Figaro class." "What's interesting is that many of the duos are made up of one skipper with a lot of experience and the other still discovering the boat or even the race," adds the race director.
Be that as it may, "there are a lot of favourites," teases Victor Le Pape (Région Bretagne - CMB Espoir). The duo most often cited as contenders for victory are Charlotte Yven and Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper Macif). The former won two years ago alongside Loïs Berrehar, while the latter is the winner of the Mini-Transat in 2021, finished 4th in the most recent Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, and most recently won the Skipper Macif selection.
The most experienced pairs will be closely monitored. The duo formed by Martin Le Pape—who boasts the most participations in this year's line-up (his 5th participation)—and Mathilde Géron, forged in the demanding world of the Olympics (Demain), is far from lacking in experience. In the same category, there are the duos Jules Ducelier - Sophie Faguet (Région Normandie)—he is the reigning French Rookie Champion, and she finished 3rd in the Niji40—and Alexis Thomas - Pauline Courtois (Wings of the Ocean), with Pauline finishing 3rd in the previous edition.
We should also mention Victor Le Pape and Estelle Greck (Région Bretagne - CMB Espoir), who will set off on her seventh transatlantic crossing. Other strong contenders include Lola Billy, who is paired with the 2023 winner of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, Corentin Horeau (Région Bretagne - CMB Océane), as well as Maël Garnier, who has been sailing Figaros for the last five years, paired with Cat Hunt (Selencia - Cerfrance).
Underdog places on the cards
Alongside them, many are hoping for a position of honor. "Our ambition is to be on the podium," says Davy Beaudart (Hellowork), who has a wealth of experience, particularly in the IMOCA class, and is paired with Julie Simon, who has been sailing Figaros since 2023. Their profile is similar to that of Adrien Simon and Chloé Le Bars (FAUN): he has honed his skills in the IMOCA class, and she has participated three times in the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec and once in the Transat Paprec (6th in 2023).
We can also count on Quentin Vlamynck and Audrey Ogereau (Les Étoiles Filantes), both experienced in the Ocean Fifty class, Romain Bouillard and the experienced Irina Gracheva (Décrochons la lune), or even Laure Galley with the recognized coach Kévin Bloch (DMG MORI Academy). Additionally, the Scottish pair of Maggie Adamson and Calanach Finlayson (Solan Ocean Racing), recent offshore double-handed world champions, will be looking to make the most of their opportunities.
Discovery and the desire to give it everything
Several duos who discovered the Figaro last year are continuing their education in the class and dream of shining in the Transat Paprec. That's the case for Arno Biston (Article.1), 2nd rookie in the last edition of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, paired with Vittoria Ripa di Meana, who is taking her first steps in the class. Her profile is similar to that of Aglaé Ribon (Almond for Pure Ocean), who is teaming up with Thomas de Dinechin, beginning his second season in the Figaro class.
Thomas André is continuing his Figaro training and has joined Cindy Brin (Cap St Barth), the first sailor from Saint-Barthélemy to attempt the Transat Paprec adventure. British sailor Ellie Driver will also attempt her first transatlantic crossing alongside her fellow countryman, Oliver Hill (Women's Engineering Society).
Anaëlle Pattusch (22 years old) and Hugo Cardon (23 years old), who also debuted in the Figaro class last year, will contest their first transatlantic crossing on this type of boat. "Our objective is to learn as much as possible," says Anaëlle. The same determination is shared by the youngest duo of the edition, Pier-Paolo Dean (19 years old) and Tiphaine Rideau (20 years old). With a background in dinghy sailing, these two fearless sailors have been dreaming of the open sea for years and say they are ready to embark on this great adventure.
And there's no question of them just making up the numbers, assures Pier-Paolo: "We're very competitive, so we're going to do everything we can to be at our best!" A determination that he shares with all the other competitors in this year's Transat Paprec, who are firmly intent on giving it their all right up to the finish.