The 56th French Olympic Sailing Week concluded with thrilling Medal Races, showcasing incredible competition across various Olympic classes. After four board finals on Friday, the top 10 boats from the remaining six Olympic fleets—470, ILCA 6 & 7, Nacra 17, 49er, and FX—took to the water for their Medal Races on Saturday.
Two events (470 & ILCA 7) were already decided the day before by dominant leaders, while the remaining four (49er, ILCA 6, FX, and Nacra 17) saw dramatic shifts in positions. As the Medal Races unfolded, the tension was palpable.
Medal Race Highlights
470 (Mixed Double-Handed Dinghy)
Gold: Simon Diesch & Anna Markfort (GER) – 43 points
Silver: Jordi Xammar Hernández & Marta Cardona Alcántara (ESP) – 56 points
Bronze: Giacomo Ferrari & Alessandra Dubbini (ITA) – 59 points
Germany’s Simon Diesch & Anna Markfort had already secured gold by Friday, maintaining a 21-point lead. Despite a strong performance by Italy’s Ferrari & Dubbini in the Medal Race, Spain’s Xammar Hernández & Cardona Alcántara secured silver.
Simon Diesch & Anna Markfort (GER)
“We came to Hyères with a goal: to improve on our second-place finish in Palma. This win is a major step forward for us. It wasn’t an easy race, but we kept calm and stuck to our plan. Every victory is a learning experience for the Games.”
ILCA 6 (Women’s Solo Dinghy)
Gold: Chiara Beninin Floriani (ITA) – 34 points
Silver: Emma Plasschaert (BEL) – 36 points
Bronze: Anna Munch (DEN) – 39 points
Italy’s Chiara Beninin Floriani claimed the closest victory of the day, winning gold by just two points. Despite Belgium’s Emma Plasschaert winning the Medal Race, the Italian held onto her lead to secure the win.
Chiara Beninin Floriani (ITA)
“It was incredibly close. I struggled at times but stayed consistent throughout the week. It feels surreal to win my first World Cup here in Hyères.”
ILCA 7 (Men’s Solo Dinghy)
Gold: Nicholas Halliday (HKG) – 48 points
Silver: Thomas Saunders (NZL) – 71 points
Bronze: Duko Bos (NED) – 79 points
Hong Kong’s Nicholas Halliday sealed his first World Cup win with a victory lap after a dominant week. Halliday, who led by 23 points heading into the Medal Race, finished fourth in the race, ensuring the win despite a strong challenge from New Zealand’s Saunders.
Nicholas Halliday (HKG)
“It was a stress-free race for me since I had already secured the gold. The conditions were fantastic for downwinds, and I had a great time racing against the world’s best.”
Nacra 17 (Mixed Double-Handed Catamaran)
Gold: John Gimson & Anna Burnett (GBR) – 49 points
Silver: Gianluigi Ugolini & Maria Giubilei (ITA) – 52 points
Bronze: Willemijn Offerman & Scipio Houtman (NED) – 60 points
Britain’s Gimson & Burnett won gold after a dramatic comeback in the Medal Race. Starting seventh, they clawed their way up to third, securing enough points to clinch their second Sailing Grand Slam victory of the month.
John Gimson & Anna Burnett (GBR)
“It was a challenging race, but we managed to stay focused. The level of competition is rising, and we’re excited to keep improving as we look ahead to the European Championships in Greece.”
49er FX (Women’s Skiff)
Gold: Isaura Maenhaut & Anouk Geerts (BEL) – 149 points
Silver: Paris Henken & Helena Scutt (USA) – 151 points
Bronze: Georgia Lewin-LaFrance & Antonia Lewin-LaFrance (CAN) – 156 points
In one of the most thrilling Medal Races of the week, Belgium’s Maenhaut & Geerts held onto their yellow bib despite a nerve-wracking finish. They started with a 13-point lead, which evaporated as the race unfolded. The USA’s Henken & Scutt almost staged an incredible comeback, but the Belgian duo managed to hold on.
Isaura Maenhaut & Anouk Geerts (BEL)
“It was stressful, but we managed to sneak through in the end. The race had so many twists, and we’re super happy with how we managed to keep our lead.”
49er (Men’s Skiff)
Gold: Nevin Snow & Ian MacDiarmid (USA) – 101 points
Silver: Richard Schultheis & Fabian Rieger (GER) – 104 points
Bronze: Hernando Umpierre & Fernando Diz (URU) – 108 points
The USA’s Nevin Snow & Ian MacDiarmid triumphed in the 49er class with a controlled performance in the Medal Race. Their steady consistency throughout the week ensured they held off the German duo of Schultheis & Rieger for gold.
Nevin Snow & Ian MacDiarmid (USA)
“We knew we had to keep it simple today. We had a solid start, and from there, it was about holding our position and executing a clean race. It’s a great feeling to secure gold.”
Event Summary
The French Olympic Sailing Week in Hyères, with perfect weather conditions ranging from light winds to powerful mistrals, provided a fantastic backdrop for emerging talents and seasoned veterans. The event saw fierce competition from 56 nations, with many sailors using this regatta as a stepping stone toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Ed Russo, Event Commissioner, praised the overall organization and the varied conditions, which made the event a memorable one. Meanwhile, Jean-Pierre Giran, Mayor of Hyères, expressed pride in hosting the event in their stunning natural harbor, showcasing the region’s rich maritime history and culture.
As the Sailing Grand Slam continues, the top competitors are gearing up for the next challenges on the World Sailing circuit. For many, this regatta has provided crucial insights as they prepare for the World Championships and future Olympic selections.
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