World Cup Series Final in Marseille

World Sailing’s World Cup Series Final in 2018 will head to the host city for the Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Competition with racing on June 3-10 in Marseille, France.

The World Cup Series is the definitive guide to the best-of-the-best in Olympic sailing with clear objectives to showcase and develop Olympic sailing, create sporting heroes and engage sports fans, and excite sponsors and broadcasters.

The 2017/2018 World Cup Series commenced in Japan in October. Miami will host the American round in January 2018 followed by Hyères, France in April.

Kiel, Germany was awarded the 2018 edition of the World Cup Series Final, to be held alongside the world famous Kieler Woche (Kiel Week) sailing festival, at World Sailing’s 2016 Annual Conference. However, due to conflicts of Kieler Woche and World Sailing commercial partners, a contract was unable to be concluded.

World Sailing’s Board of Directors conducted a formal review and evaluation of bids received from Tallinn, Estonia as well as Marseille with the French venue awarded the event, subject to the signing of the event contract.

“Once an Olympic venue is announced, sailors are eager to train, race and compete on the waters of the Olympic Sailing Competition,” commented World Sailing President Kim Andersen.

“The competition is dependent on the natural environment and sailors have to learn how to read the tidal patterns and wind conditions to best prepare for the Games itself.

“When Marseille hosts the 2018 World Cup Final, we will be more than six years away from the Paris 2024 but this provides the Olympic hopefuls with a world class competition to commence their journey to the Olympic Games.

“Marseille is an internationally renowned sailing venue and we are delighted to be working with the Fédération Française de Voile once again.”

World Sailing Director of Events, Alastair Fox, commented, “The World Cup Final in 2018 will present an excellent opportunity for sailors and officials to experience the Paris 2024 Olympic Games sailing venue and continue a strong relationship with the Fédération Française de Voile in the lead up to 2024.”

World Cup Series – Facebook

The World Cup Series is an annual circuit of Olympic sailing for elite and professional sailors, and a key touchpoint for fans and media to connect to the sport of sailing and develop support for athletes on their road to Tokyo 2020 and beyond. Over 2,000 of the world’s leading sailors, representing 75 nations, have competed in the World Cup Series since its inception in 2008.

2017/2018 World Cup Series
October 17-22, 2017 – World Cup Series #1 – Gamagori, Japan
January 21-28, 2018 – World Cup Series #2 – Miami, USA
April 22-29, 2018 – World Cup Series #3 – Hyères, France
June 3-10, 2018 – World Cup Series Final – Marseille, France

Source: World Sailing