After more than half a century sailed exclusively in monohulls, the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec will replace the Figaro Bénéteau 3 with Ocean Fifty trimarans from 2028 onwards. This historic decision was announced jointly by the Groupe Figaro and OC Sport Pen Duick, the race organizer. It marks the beginning of a completely new chapter for one of the world's most prestigious solo offshore races.
The organizers' objective is clear: to give the event fresh momentum, increase its appeal to skippers, partners and the general public, while building on the rapidly growing Ocean Fifty class. The race format itself will remain unchanged, with solo racing over multiple stages and an overall time classification, but competitors will now sail aboard 50-foot trimarans capable of exceeding 30 knots, opening the door to far more ambitious courses than before.
This represents a genuine cultural shift. Since its creation in 1970, the Solitaire du Figaro has launched the careers of generations of leading sailors, from Philippe Poupon to Michel Desjoyeaux, Armel Le Cléac'h, Yann Eliès and the late Charlie Dalin. With the arrival of the Ocean Fifty, an entirely new pathway of excellence in multihull sailing could emerge, offering young talent a route towards the Ultim class, the world's largest ocean-going trimarans.
For the Ocean Fifty class, the announcement is a major endorsement. Already renowned for offering a unique balance between spectacular performance, controlled costs and accessibility, these 50-foot trimarans are about to become the boats used in one of the most iconic events in French sailing. They could well establish themselves in other major international races. A small revolution—one that is sure to spark debate among Figaro purists, and one that Multihulls World will, of course, be following closely.
Ocean Fifty: Trimarans That Pack a Punch
Created in 2003 under the name Multi50 before being renamed Ocean Fifty in 2021, this class brings together 50-foot offshore trimarans built to a restrictive box rule. The aim is to preserve innovation while keeping costs under control, ensuring competitive and sustainable fleets.
These prototypes, capable of maintaining average speeds of around 20 knots, now compete in their own championship, the Ocean Fifty Series, alternating between coastal courses and major offshore races. They also take part in leading ocean events such as the Route du Rhum, the Transat Café L'Or (formerly the Transat Jacques Vabre) and the Drheam-Cup.
From 2028, the Ocean Fifty will become the one-design platform for the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec.
Technical Specifications
Construction: Carbon/epoxy composite
Length Overall: 50' (15.24 m) max
Beam: 50' (15.24 m) max
Draft: 11'6" (3.5 m) max
Air Draft: 78' (23.77 m) max
Displacement: Approx 3.2 to 3.5 t
Upwind Sail Area: Approx 2,153 sq ft (200 m²)
Max Sail Area: Up to 2,691 sq ft (250 m²)
Crew: 1 to 6, depending on the event (solo in the Solitaire du Figaro from 2028)
