The world’s best Olympic sailors have made Hyères on the French Riviera their meeting spot each April for more than 50 years.
And this year the stakes are even higher, as the 55th edition of Semaine Olympique Française de Hyères - TPM from 20-27 April will be the final opportunity for sailing’s elite to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
French Olympic Week 2024 comprises two events hosted concurrently: The ‘Qualified Nations’ in Hyères harbour, with two participants for each nation and class; and the Last Chance Regatta which will bring together the nations that have still to qualify for Paris 2024 to compete for the 39 places still up for grabs.
All 10 Olympic classes will be competing in both events: ILCA (men’s and women’s single-handed dinghy), 49er (men’s and women’s skiff), Nacra 17 (mixed multihull), 470 (mixed double-handed dinghy), Formula Kite (men’s and women’s kitefoil) and iQFOiL (men’s and women’s windsurfing).
This exceptional line-up means that “La SOF” is set to break its record for the number of participating nations in Hyères, with nearly 1,000 athletes and 500 support staff from 90 countries across five continents expected.
And among them will be Irish 49er pairs Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove, and Séafra Guilfoyle and Johnny Durcan who will be looking to make up for a disappointing 49er Worlds to clinch Ireland’s single spot in the men’s skiff event in Marseille this summer.
The schedule for the week looks like the following:
The Semaine Olympique Française:
- Friday 19 April: welcome and registration
- Saturday 20 April: welcome and registration
- Saturday 20 April: opening ceremony
- Sunday 21 April to Wednesday 24 April: iQFOiL and Formula Kite qualifying rounds
- Monday 22 to Friday 26 April: ILCA, 49er, Nacra 17 and 470 qualifying rounds
- Thursday 25 April: iQFOiL and Formula Kite Medal Races
- Saturday 27 April: ILCA, 49er, Nacra 17 and 470 Medal Races
- Saturday 27 April: Prize-giving and closing ceremony
The Last-Chance Regatta:
- Thursday 18 April: welcome and registration
- Friday 19 April: welcome and registration
- Saturday 20 April: opening ceremony
- Sunday 21 April to 24 April: iQFOiL and Formula Kite qualifying rounds
- Sunday 21 to Thursday 25 April: ILCA, 49er, Nacra 17 and 470 qualifying rounds
- Thursday 25 April: iQFOiL and Formula Kite Medal Races
- Friday 26 April: Medal Races: ILCA, 49er, Nacra 17 and 470
- Saturday 27 April: Prize-giving and closing ceremony
For more details, including the Notice of Race, see the SOF website HERE.