Olympic circuit returns to France

For the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Sailing events will be held 400 miles to the south in Marseille on the Mediterranean Sea. This port city will be the focus in the coming years, but for now the attention turns toward the rustic charm and natural beauty of neighboring Hyeres.

The 53rd Semaine Olympique Française (French Olympic Week) is back on April 25-30, 2022.

Recent history had seen the iconic event shrink due to scheduling conflicts, and then the pandemic cancelled the 2020 and 2021 editions. However, for the first time in France, the SOF will bring together on the Hyères field of play the 10 classes that will compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

An historic and unmissable part of the Olympic circuit, the race program and the restricted entry will allow the best sailors in each class to measure themselves against each other, providing a critical event to prepare for the next Olympic Games.

The European Olympic season began in the beginning of April at the Princess Sofía Regatta in Spain, with Hyères as the second major event on the Olympic calendar. More than 50 countries and 650 registered competitors are anticipated.

The gold medalists at the Tokyo Olympic Games last summer, who will be competing in Hyères: Australia’s Matt Wearn (Men’s ILCA), Italy’s Ruggero Tita & Caterina Banti (Mixed Nacra 17), Brazil’s Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze (Women’s 49erFX), Britain’s Eilidh McIntyre, with new partner Martin Wringley (Mixed 470).

For France, the world champions of iQFOiL, Hélène Noesmoen and Nicolas Goyard will be competing. In the Formula Kite, the field includes the world champion, Théo de Ramecourt; the European champion, Axel Mazella; and Lauriane Nolot (3rd in the World Championship). Gold medalist in Rio and silver medalist in Tokyo, Charline Picon, returns – and for the first time in competition in France in the 49er – partnering with Sarah Steyaert. Bronze medalist in Tokyo in the 470, Aloïse Retornaz will form a new mixed duet with Kevin Peponnet.

“This field of play, renowned for being as technical as it is tactical, also has the privilege of being surrounded by the aptly-named ‘golden islands’, noted Jean-Luc Denéchau, President of the French Sailing Federation. “This ‘comeback’ edition of the SOF is a pleasure even more heartfelt following, as it does, two difficult years.”

Additionally, due to the hardship occurring in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion, the organizers of the Semaine Olympique Française have taken the decision to invite and take care of the entry and accommodation of the entire Ukrainian delegation which will be present for the event.

Event details – Entry list – Facebook