The rise of e-sailing: a global phenomenon
E-sailing has been booming for several years now, attracting hundreds of thousands of players across the globe. Events such as the virtual Vendée Globe and the Nations Cup, supported by World Sailing and Virtual Regatta, are helping to popularize this hybrid discipline, which combines strategy, responsiveness and knowledge of racing rules. In 2024, France shone on the world stage, becoming the first nation to win both the Offshore and Inshore titles.
A tough competition, formidable opponents
With seven nations taking part in this 2024 edition, the Nations Cup offered a top-class spectacle. After a difficult start against Italy, the French bounced back to top the group stages with decisive victories over Sweden and Japan. The French team's progress illustrates their growing technical mastery and exemplary team cohesion.
Innovative routes to keep the suspense alive
For this edition, Virtual Regatta has opted for "N"-type courses, abandoning the traditional "banana" format. These complex courses call for a variety of strategic choices, and encourage turnarounds, as demonstrated by the final against Italy. This dynamic format also appealed to spectators, boosting interest in this digital sport.
A high-voltage France-Italy duel
The final lived up to all its promises, pitting two teams at the top of their game. Trailing 2-0 at the start of the match, the French showed their mental mettle to come back level before snatching victory on the wire, 5 runs to 4. Captain Tristan Peron underlines the decisive role played by his team's cohesion in this victory: " We joined forces to rise to the challenge and achieve this exceptional result. "
Varied profiles in the French team
The French team is made up of a heterogeneous group of experienced racers and online game specialists. With representatives from clubs in every region of France, from Brittany to Occitania and Île-de-France, the Tricolores bear witness to the richness and dynamism of French sailing, both virtual and real.
A fast-growing discipline
The growing popularity of e-sailing opens up interesting prospects for both players and federations. With its mix of strategy and simulation, e-sailing attracts a young audience, often new to sailing, and is helping to democratize the discipline. Ongoing innovations, such as the introduction of new race formats, should continue to reinforce this craze in the years to come.
