Alexis Thomas secured the 2026 French Elite Offshore Racing Championship (Championnat de France Elite de Course au Large) title following a closely contested season across four official events, according to reports from Figaro Nautisme and the Classe Figaro Bénéteau. Representing the organization Wings of the Ocean, the La Rochelle-based skipper outpaced runner-up Hugo Dhallenne (Skipper Macif 2025) and third-place finisher Arno Biston to capture the prestigious French offshore crown.
A Season Defined by Consistency
The 2026 championship race remained fiercely competitive until the final legs of L’Aventura, the concluding event on the calendar. Rather than relying on a single dominant victory, Thomas built his championship run on steady performance across the entire four-race circuit. According to official event standings reported by Figaro Nautisme, his campaign featured a sixth-place finish at the Solo Guy Cotten, a fourth-place finish at the Trophée Banque Populaire Grand Ouest (partnered with Pablo Santurde), a stellar second-place finish at La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec alongside his first-ever leg podium, and a twelfth-place finish at L’Aventura (partnered with Tanguy Leglatin).
“I am very happy to be the 2026 French Elite Offshore Racing Champion,” Thomas told Classe Figaro Bénéteau. “I have watched La Solitaire du Figaro and the Figaro Bénéteau circuit since I was very small. I dreamed watching Armel Le Cléac’h or Yann Eliès, and today it’s my turn.”
Mental Preparation and a Lifelong Path
Sailing since the age of six, Thomas transitioned through Optimist, Laser, 420, and 470 classes before joining the Figaro Beneteau circuit in 2021. Operating out of the training center in La Rochelle, he credited a rigorous mental preparation regimen as the deciding factor in his championship-winning season. Under the banner of Wings of the Ocean—a French non-profit dedicated to ocean conservation and fighting plastic pollution—the thirty-something skipper focused heavily on his mindset heading into 2026.
“This year, I worked a lot mentally to get here and I think that’s what made the difference,” Thomas stated, as published by Figaro Nautisme. “I’m not sure I make my boat go faster or make better decisions, but I allowed myself to see myself as a winner and that changed something in me. I have never felt as confident since I’ve been sailing, and I’ve been doing it for a while!”
Young Talent Emerges in the Rookie Standings
While Thomas claimed the overall elite title, the rookie (bizuth) division showcased the rise of 22-year-old Paul Loiseau. Racing for Région Bretagne – CMB Espoir after taking the helm of his Figaro Beneteau 3 in January, Loiseau captured the rookie title and finished an impressive fourth overall in La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. Loiseau’s season highlights included winning the opening round of the Solo Guy Cotten in March, taking a stage victory during La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, and winning L’Aventura in double-handed configuration alongside Victor Le Pape. Paul Cousin (Région Normandie) and Pierrick Letouzé (Normandy Offshore Program) rounded out the rookie podium in second and third places respectively, according to Classe Figaro Bénéteau.
Next Steps on the Circuit
With the 2026 French Elite Offshore Racing Championship now complete, skippers on the Figaro Beneteau circuit will turn their attention toward winter training blocks. What are your thoughts on Alexis Thomas’s dominant consistency and Paul Loiseau’s rookie breakthrough? Share your comments below.
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