Vigo will be the capital of offshore sailing from September 18 to 21, as it welcomes the 35 teams participating in the 56th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, an internationally renowned regatta that will turn the Port of Vigo into the finish line for the second stage and the starting point of the grand final departure bound for France.
Over the course of four days, the Portocultura dock and the Jardines del Cable will host a rich programme of sporting, cultural, and gastronomic activities open to the public.
The official presentation, held this Wednesday at the Atlantic‑Line Dock Sessions Building, was attended by Carlos Botana, President of the Port Authority of Vigo; Luisa Sánchez, Vice‑President of the Diputación de Pontevedra; Ana Ortiz, Territorial Delegate of the Xunta de Galicia in Vigo; and Mario Cardama, President of the Traslatio Foundation, along with representatives from the city’s social and sporting fabric—including the RCN de Vigo, LM de Bouzas, and MRCY de Baiona sailing clubs.
Cardama opened the event by stating that “the arrival of the Solitaire du Figaro fleet in Vigo on the upcoming 18th, as well as its departure on Sunday the 21st, will be a memorable event both for spectators on land and for those following the regatta at sea.”
The greatest promises of offshore sailing will compete in the 56th edition of this prestigious regatta, held with monohull Figaro 3 class sailboats, equipped with foils and known for their speed in downwind conditions.
Furthermore, the President of the Traslatio Foundation took the opportunity to publicly thank “the President of the Port Authority of Vigo, the Vice‑President of the Deputation, and the Delegate of the Xunta, who supported bringing major international nautical events back to Vigo; the French organizers OC Sport for choosing our estuary; and the nautical clubs and partner companies for their logistical support in the event.”
Ana Ortiz emphasized that “it is an honor for Galicia to host this reference competition in solo sailing. We support this project to achieve the ambitious goal of consolidating Galicia’s leadership as a global sailing focal point. Events like this decisively help position Vigo where it deserves to be, reaffirming its central role in Galicia.”
Luisa Sánchez added: “It also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Volvo Ocean Race’s departure. Young people may not remember what that meant, or the Cutty Sark in its day, but we—who are fans of sailing in Vigo—remember it perfectly. This competition will do the same: it will generate a huge pull among sailing enthusiasts, and I believe La Solitaire will once again get the whole city leaning towards the sea. The spectacle is enormous and clearly shows that our estuary is an ideal setting for this kind of event. Vigo won’t miss it.”
To close the event, Carlos Botana declared that “for the Port of Vigo it is a pride to host one of the stages—the only stop in Spain—of La Solitaire du Figaro 2025, one of the most emblematic offshore regattas on the international calendar. It is part of the port’s commitment to the city: this event strengthens our nautical vocation and consolidates Vigo as a reference port in the European Atlantic.” He added: “For four days, both the pontoons and the village—sporting, cultural, and recreational for the young, as well as gastronomic thanks to the ‘Galicia Sabe a Mar’ campaign by the Xunta de Galicia—will be the epicentre of nautical and civic activity. We want to offer the sailors, technicians, and visitors an unforgettable experience, with first-rate port infrastructure and a city that lives the sea with passion. We want the Port of Vigo during those days to be a great celebration—not only sporting, but also cultural—so we invite all citizens to enjoy this day and the atmosphere that will be alive in the city.”
The 56th edition stopover of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec in Vigo is driven by the support of the Port Authority of Vigo and the Deputación de Pontevedra, institutions making possible the return of a major offshore regatta to the estuary twenty years after the Volvo Ocean Race. With the arrival of the 35 teams and the grand final departure on September 21, the Ría de Vigo will once again be in the global sailing spotlight in an event that promises to leave images for history.
