Irish sailor Tom Dolan has once again proven his worth among the best offshore racers in the world with an impressive sixth-place finish in the Solo Maître Coq. The gruelling 390-mile solo offshore race, which finished in Les Sables d'Olonne in France's Vendée region, saw Dolan secure a solid fifth place, thereby cementing his sixth-place overall finish in the event. 

Dolan, skipper of Smurfit Kappa – Kingspan, has shown that he is comfortable racing with the best of the best offshore, matching his sixth-placed overall position from last year's event. Speaking about the race, Dolan said, "It was a great race. There was stuff going on all the time, especially in terms of choice of courses. I really enjoyed it!" 

Tom Dolan - surfing in over 30 knots of wind in the 2024 Solo Maître Coq Race Photo: Vincent Olivaud

The 21st Solo Maître CoQ is a race that Dolan has clearly enjoyed, as he reflected on the challenging and thrilling moments during the race. "It was a good race, especially on the section between mark in the middle of the Bay of Biscay and the finish. We had some surfs at over 30 knots, under gennaker. It was really, really hard, especially since the wind was super unstable. We were literally glued to the helm with the sheet in our hands taking waves of ocean in our faces. We certainly had enough salt! But the whole race seemed to flash by!"

Despite giving up a little in the last few miles, Dolan remained proud of his performance and is looking forward to future events. "It feels really good to play in front! The Solo Guy Cotten in mid-March was not very satisfying because I ripped a sail, but I know that as soon as the legs lengthen out a little, I am clearly more at ease," said Dolan, who will now enjoy some well-deserved rest at home in Concarneau following an intense spell that included the Solo Maître Coq and the Niji40 Class40 Transatlantic race.

From Tuesday until Saturday Irish solo skipper Tom Dolan will compete out of Les Sables d’Olonne in the Solo Maître CoQ, the second of five events counting for the 2024 French Elite Offshore Racing Championship.

“The crewed transatlantic race was a great experience for me. It was really re-energizing. It was a real breath of fresh air, but here I am, super happy to be back on my own boat now, even if it seems very small to me!” grins Dolan.

Racing starts Tuesday at 1100hrs local time out of the famous Vendée marina.

“I’m ready, even though my legs are still a little weak after so much time on the boat. Conditions look fairly calm for the first two days, but with a lot to play for. It promises to be interesting,” says Dolan.

There are two coastal courses of around twenty miles Thursday’s 390-mile offshore race on the Bay of Biscay.

“My objective is to make good starts especially as it looks set to be light and there is a lot to be lost over these first two races. And there does seem to be a risk of the racing being a bit follow my leader with few strategic options.” Says Dolan who finished sixth overall last year.

“The idea is obviously to be able to do better this year,” he concludes.