A Flying Start to the Transat Paprec
by Transat Paprec 20 Apr 13:12 UTC
20 April 2025
At precisely 13:02 this Sunday, 20 April, the 19 mixed duos taking part in the Transat Paprec set sail from Concarneau.
After the emotional goodbyes on the pontoons, the fleet tackled a spectacular coastal course under a brooding grey sky, yet enjoyed mild sailing conditions — a north-westerly breeze of 10 to 15 knots — before heading into the Atlantic. It marks the beginning of a formidable challenge: the only mixed-gender transatlantic race sailed in identical boats. The 17th edition of this emblematic event promises to be fiercely contested, with no clear favourites and plenty of aspiring champions. "The future Vendée Globe winners are among them," declared Charlie Dalin, winner of the Transat Paprec in 2012. "Remember their names."
There is always a moment of vertigo before a major departure. So much time has been spent preparing, dreaming, analysing — it's never a trivial moment. Even less so for these 38 sailors, each pushing themselves to the limit aboard their compact 10.89-metre Figaro Bénéteau 3s. Demanding and physically exhausting, these boats leave little room for comfort. Though sailed in pairs, much of the race will be endured in 'false solo' mode. Pushing beyond limits becomes not just a goal but a necessity. At the end of this tunnel of exertion lies the warmth of the Caribbean, the allure of Saint Barthélemy, and the opportunity to write their names into the great annals of offshore racing.
Since becoming an all-mixed format in the last edition, the Transat Paprec has cemented its place as a true talent-spotter. The duo who etch their names onto the trophy will join a pantheon of sailing legends: Michel Desjoyeaux (1992), Jean Le Cam (1994), Karine Fauconnier (2000), Armel Le Cléac'h (2004, 2010), Thomas Ruyant (2018), and of course Charlie Dalin. Speaking on the docks this weekend, Dalin shared sage advice: "This race is won in the details, in the tiniest shifts and trim adjustments. It's sailed at incredibly high intensity, often with mere minutes separating the front-runners at the finish. The winners? They're the ones who dare."
And daring is in no short supply among the 19 Transat Paprec duos — all vibrant proof of the dynamism of the Figaro class.
DOCKSIDE ATMOSPHERE: Between Emotion and Excitement
Excitement steadily built throughout the morning as the departure hour drew near. Each duo had their moment in the spotlight, climbing the stage to the cheers of the crowd — a fleeting moment of stardom in oilskins. Music, introductions, autographs, and photographs marked the official send-off. The public was treated to a lively, often quirky display: Jules Ducelier and Sophie Faguet (Région Normandie) entered to Jeanne Mas's "En rouge et noir," Pauline Courtois (Wings of the Ocean) went barefoot in flip-flops, Martin Le Pape (Demain) ditched his iconic orange beanie, and Davy Beaudart (Hellowork) offered a few dance steps.
Smiles were everywhere on the pontoons. Charlotte Yven and Hugo Dallenne (Skipper Macif) shared that they "can't wait to get going," Quentin Vlamynck (Les Étoiles Filantes) predicted "a real show," while Lola Billy (Région Bretagne - CMB Océane) declared: "I'm ready to give it my all." On shore, the final tactical discussions unfolded. Charlie Dalin could be seen offering last-minute advice to Victor Le Pape and Estelle Greck (Région Bretagne - CMB Espoir), while Kévin Bloch and Laure Galley (DMG MORI Academy) meticulously reviewed every detail of the inshore course. Maël Garnier (Selencia - Cerfrance), back after two years, offered a tongue-in-cheek summary: "To get to Saint Barth, it's simple. Head south, then hang a left!"
FAREWELLS AND FINAL WORDS
There's always time for a few last confidences. Thomas de Dinechin (Almond for Pure Ocean) revealed that his bond with Aglaé Ribon had "deepened after two freezing offshore nights this winter." Estelle Greck and Victor Le Pape joked about their final pre-race meals — pesto pasta for her, lasagne for him. But emotions often bubbled just beneath the surface. After all, making it to the start is an achievement in itself. It's the culmination of winter training, months of planning, and now — the wrench of embracing loved ones you won't see again for nearly three weeks.
"It's a bit tough for the kids," admitted Mathilde Géron (Demain), fighting back tears. Not far away, Ellie Driver and Oliver Hill (Women's Engineering Society) beamed with excitement, a striking contrast to their mothers, who wept quietly through tight embraces. Moments later, Ellie, Oliver, and their fellow sailors had slipped their moorings. As their Figaro Beneteau 3s slipped out of Concarneau and into the open sea, they looked so very small — a stark reminder of the challenge that lies ahead.
LIVE: A Lively Start to the Transat Paprec
At exactly 13:02, the starting signal was given and the fleet set off for the 2025 edition of the Transat Paprec. Among the 19 duos on the line, rookies Pier-Paolo Dean and Tiphaine Rideau (Banques Alimentaires) wasted no time blending in with the frontrunners, showing early determination despite their novice status.
As the fleet powered through a demanding coastal course, it was Cindy Brin and Thomas André (Cap St Barth) who delivered the first surprise of the day, taking the lead in the Bay of Concarneau. Close behind, Laure Galley and Kevin Bloch (DMG MORI Academy) along with Romain Bouillard and Irina Gracheva (Décrochons la lune) were also among the early leaders, keeping the pressure high.
As expected, the intensity only increased as the boats approached the Glénan archipelago. There, the fleet began to stretch out, with the leaders breaking away from the chasing pack and setting their sights firmly on the open ocean.
LAST WORDS FROM THE PONTOONS
Arno Biston (Article.1): "I've been looking forward to this for two years — it was one of the must-do races for my Figaro project. I proposed the idea to Vittoria over a year ago, and we've worked hard to make it happen. Nothing was guaranteed until the end, but we're truly thrilled to be here as a team!"
Romain Bouillard (Décrochons la lune): "I'm really happy to be setting off. I slept soundly last night — that's a good sign! All the children from the Décrochons la lune charity came to see us off, which was incredibly moving. They even gave me gifts for the tough moments at sea. Irina is a fantastic long-distance teammate — I know the boat well, and she knows the ocean. We're a strong outsider pairing."
Lola Billy (Région Bretagne - CMB Océane): "We're buzzing! We've just had our final moment on stage. Now it's time to set aside the emotion, focus on the race, get a clean start, and quickly find our rhythm. I'm so glad to have Corentin with me — this pairing is all about training and knowledge-sharing. The goal is to gain the tools I'll need for the solo Solitaire du Figaro Paprec in September."
Corentin Horeau (Région Bretagne - CMB Océane): "It's fantastic to be co-skipper with Lola. I've always wanted to come back to this race — I haven't won it yet, so that's definitely part of the motivation! But mainly I'm here to support Lola's development. If we get a good result, great — but there's no pressure. We want to get into our rhythm early; in this race, the gaps form fast. I know this route well, and with some luck, we'll be flying the spinnaker past Cape Finisterre — that's what this kind of sailing is all about."
Cindy Brin (Cap St-Barth): "I'm 5000% ready! I can't wait to cross that start line, hoist the sails, pop the kite — the full works! I've felt so supported in recent days. Even kids I taught sailing to years ago came to visit. That really touches the heart — especially when you're 8000 kilometres from home. Our main goal is to finish. After that... who knows? Maybe we'll catch some breaks. We'll just have to see what the Atlantic brings."
GET INVOLVED: The Official Race Game Has Set Sail
It's not just the 19 crews who've embarked on this Atlantic adventure — online skippers can join the action too via Virtual Regatta. Whether sailing solo, as a duo, or a mixed pair, now's your chance to race alongside the real fleet to Saint Barthélemy. There's still time to register: www.virtualregatta.com/offshore-game
STAY TUNED: Follow the Race
The Transat Paprec is just getting under way, and the race promises thrills all the way to the Caribbean. Stay up to speed with hourly position tracking, skipper updates, onboard photos and videos, and expert analysis via the official website and social media channels: www.transatpaprec.com