Solitaire du Figaro 2026: This is how the Elkano USS Team prepares for each stage

The Solitaire du Figaro is one of the most iconic solo offshore races in the real world. In its virtual edition on the Virtual Regatta Offshore platform, the level of competition is equally high: thousands of participants from around the world, multiple legs, and preparation that makes the difference between finishing in the middle of the fleet or fighting for the top spots.

The challenge of Solitaire: precision from minute zero

In the virtual Solitaire du Figaro, there's no room for improvisation. The boat, a Figaro Beneteau 3, demands a perfect understanding of its polar bearings to select the correct sail for each leg. A mistake in sail choice in the early hours can mean losing dozens of positions that are very difficult to recover later.

The preparation of the Elkano USS Team for each stage

Before each stage of the Solitaire, the team prepares a comprehensive tactical briefing. They analyze the weather forecast for the first 24 hours, study the GFS and ICON models, compare the routes generated by the eSail4VR router, and define the departure strategy. The exact time of the departure conditions dictates the tactics for the entire stage.

Tools that set us apart

The Elkano USS Team uses eSail4VR as its primary routing tool, complemented by NOAA and Windy weather analysis, and the customized ITYC Dashboard for real-time fleet tracking. This level of preparation consistently places us at the top of the Spanish VSR rankings.

Follow the Solitaire du Figaro 2026 with us

The 2026 edition is currently underway. You can follow the team's results in our standings section and stay up-to-date with each stage through the blog. Virtual offshore sailing has never been so competitive.