3000 m2 dedicated to performance
The sailing events of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will take place in Marseille from July 28 to August 8, 2024. 14 athletes in 8 heats will represent France on the Marseilles water.
To help them prepare, a brand-new infrastructure has been built, just a few minutes' sail from the regatta rings. On the site of the former pole, a building of almost 3,000 m2 has been erected to enable the athletes to prepare in the best possible way.
The building comprises several hangars, where boats can be prepared and rigged, with direct access to the slipway. Only the Nacra 17 has too great an air draft, and must be rigged outside.
Sail dryers are located next to the boat sheds, where huge racks house masts, sails, foils and other equipment. Each series has its own dedicated hangar.
Au 2 e on the first floor are the administrative offices. Several rooms, named Gold, Silver, Bronze, or referring to the Olympics, are available for debriefings, meetings or simple interviews.
For rest and/or free time, athletes have a rest room on the top floor, adjoining a small kitchen. It opens directly onto a huge terrace that covers half the building, offering a breathtaking view of the southern harbour.
For their physical preparation, athletes can count on a large weights and fitness room on the first floor. It adjoins a cryotherapy room with a 10-degree pool and a 38-degree pool.
An XXL slipway
During the Olympics, ILCA, Nacra, 49er, Fx, 470 will start from the large slipway in front of the Pole. Only Kitefoil and iQFOIL are off-center, and will start from the beach south of the Pole. Note that it's quite rare for the starting base to be right in front of the regatta roundabouts.
At the rear of the building, we find all the equipment necessary for the logistics of a French team that travels the world to take part in regattas.
Trailers and minibuses are indispensable for championships held in Europe. But when athletes have to change continents, all equipment is shipped by container.
A successful Test Event and a forward-looking site
The base proved its worth at the Test Event, held in July 2023. 500 athletes competed in this dress rehearsal. While the French clearly have the best preparation tool at their disposal, many other nations have also taken up residence in the Phocaean city in order to prepare for this complex and highly versatile body of water.
Both the Pole France and the Roucas Blanc nautical stadium will remain in place after the Olympic Games. After the events, the Pole France teams will continue to occupy the site, while the nautical stadium will be returned to the people of Marseilles, and will be used to teach sailing to schoolchildren.
