Challenges in anticipation of the Paris Olympic Games
Nearly 1,000 competitors gathered in 10 heats during one week, this is the summary of the French Olympic Week, which took place in Hyères from April 22 to 29, 2023. This 54 e edition had a particular foretaste, because of the proximity of the Marseilles water body, which will host the Olympic sailing events in July 2024.
This SOF had a lot at stake for the French athletes, because of the presence of the selection committee of the French Federation, which will define the list of sailors who will participate in the Olympic gathering. In addition to the week of regattas in Palma, and the next test event that will take place in Marseille this summer, the performances of all French athletes are closely scrutinized.
Some of those selected are already logically expected to join the Olympic selection, but nothing is set in stone yet. Even those selected for the Marseilles Test Event are not guaranteed to represent France at the Olympics.
Variable conditions
The world's top sailors had to face very changing conditions, both in intensity and in direction. If the first regattas were launched by a strong mistral wind, the other days of the event were marked by variable and unstable east winds. A strong physical condition and tactical intelligence were required to adapt to all these changes.
Full house for France in Formula Kite
For its first appearance on the Olympics, the kite foil seems to smile to the tricolors. Three French women in the top 5, a great performance! Already victorious in Palma, the French Lauriane Nolot wins the event in front of the American Daniela Moroz. The podium is completed by Jessica Kampman, followed closely by a fifth place for Poema Newland, who won bronze in Palma.
In the men's category, Alex Mazella from Hyeres won the event which took place "in his garden". 3 e in Palma, Alex confirms his ease on this new support and confirms the success of the French staff in Formula Kite.
IQFoil favorites absent from the event
The proximity of the European championship of IQFoil in Greece did not allow the tenors of the discipline to come to race in Hyeres. But this problem of calendar allowed young rookies to show their talent. In the women's category, the Czech Barbara Svikova won, while in the men's category, the French Fabien Pianazza won his first SOF. Multiple medallist in Bic 293 then RS:X, Fabien shows the talent of the French "planchistes".
The 470 mixed
On the venerable 470, Olympic series for several decades, it is the Iberian pair Jordi Xammar & Nora Brugman who won the event. The Spanish crew dominated by its regularity.
On the French side, Camille Lecointre and Jérémie Mion, who had to deal with their status as favorites and a new boat, finished in 7th place e place. The beginning of the week was very complicated for the SRH crew, but they made a great comeback in the following days. A small disappointment, but with one of the best records in the world on this support, they will have to show their experience on the world championship which will take place in San Remo
49er and FX: potential to be confirmed
Spain also dominated in the 49er. Diego Bottin and Florian Trittel won the event, leaving few places to their opponents. The French Erwan Fischer and Youenn Bertin finished in 8th place e place, but show a strong potential. Indeed, Youenn had very little experience in 49er, and in these very intense conditions, this ranking shows that the pair has a nice potential.
In FX, it is the Dutch who have outrageously dominated the debates. After a European and World Champion title, Odile Van Aanholt and Annette Duez won the event with an insolent lead and are considered as favourites for the next Olympics. The French Sarah Steyaert and Charline Picon finish at 14 e place, far from their objective. They both have very good individual results, but the competition is tough on the FX circuit.
Nacra 17: a nice surprise
Reigning European Champions, the Englishmen Gimson and Burnet won the event with a comfortable lead in points over their pursuers.
After a great 5 e place in Palma, Frenchmen Tim Mourniac and Lou Berthomieu confirmed their talent on the hydrofoil catamaran by finishing in 6th place e place.
ILCA 6 and 7: talent in abundance but lack of luck
The most represented series on the SOF, the ILCA (formerly Laser) was not at the party for the French. In ILCA 6, the Canadian Sarah Douglas won by a small point against the Danish Anne-Marie Rindom. Louise Cervera, the first Frenchwoman, is ranked in eighth place. Marie Barué from Hyeres, author of a beautiful victory in the last round, finishes 16th e . Pernelle Michon, selected for the Test Event, finishes at the 24th place e place. Accustomed to national and international podiums, the lady from the Rennes region will be keen to demonstrate her potential in the next few events.
In ILCA 7, the defending champion and Olympic medalist Jean-Baptiste Bernaz arrived injured and only raced the first day. Without pressure because of his probable selection for the Olympics, Jean-Baptiste preferred to preserve himself for the Test Event which will take place this summer on the official water of the 2024 Olympics.
