In preparation for the Olympic Games in Marseille in August, the towns of La Grande Motte and Cannes are gearing up to welcome the best light sailing competitors from May 7 to 12, 2024. Between world and European championships, the competitions promise to be crucial stages for the athletes. French crews will be looking to shine in front of their home crowds.
The stakes are high at La Grande Motte
The Yacht Club de La Grande Motte will be the venue for the Nacra 17 World Championship and the 49er and 49er FX European Championship. This dual regatta, dubbed the "La Grande Motte International Regatta", will see the participation of 148 crews, including 38 Olympic qualifiers. Among them, Tim Mourniac and Lou Berthomieu, who after intense preparation, are presenting themselves with a new catamaran, looking to fine-tune their technique in preparation for the Olympiad. " The stakes are twofold for us here, "says Tim Mourniac, underlining the importance of testing their boat while aiming for optimum results.
Cannes: A showcase for the 470
The Yacht Club de Cannes, meanwhile, will host the European Championship for double-handed 470 dinghies. This event takes place in a favorable context for the French, and in particular for Camille Lecointre and Jérémie Mion, who, on the strength of their recent victories, are aiming for the week's Palme d'Or. " We're arriving in the same frame of mind as in Palma and Hyères, with the Olympic Games in our sights, "says Camille Lecointre. She underlines the competitive density of the event, essential in their Olympic preparation.
Determined to reach the Olympic Games
While the competitions are in full swing, the crews are not losing sight of the ultimate goal: the Olympic Games. The series of regattas in Cannes and La Grande Motte is an ideal dress rehearsal for the athletes. The presence of all the direct competitors, European and worldwide, increases the pressure for the French, but also offers the opportunity to measure themselves and adjust accordingly. Performance here could well foreshadow future results in Marseille.
As the Olympic flame prepares to light up Marseille - it arrives there on May 8 - the championships in La Grande Motte and Cannes offer a fascinating insight into the athletes' preparation for the Olympic Games. The road to gold undoubtedly begins here, on France's Mediterranean waters.
