Sailing: A world championship and two European championships in La Grande-Motte before the Olympic Games

Les Nacra 17 lors du Test event à Marseille, en juillet 2023. MAXPPP – PENNANT Franck

360 international athletes will prepare for the Olympic Games from May 4 to 12 in the bay of Aigues-Mortes.

80 days of the Olympic Games, which will take place in Marseille for sailing, these will be the last competitions and they will take place in La Grande-Motte. From May 4 to 12, the Hérault yacht club will host three of the ten Olympic series, with the organization of the Nacra 17 world championship (one-design foiling catamaran) and the 49er/49er FX European championships (dinghy skiff type monotype).

"It’It was Franck Citeau, the sports director of the Mediterranean Training Center (CEM), who received the information from a manager common to the three classes that a site was being sought , already in 2023, for the organization of three European championships at the time. La Grande-Motte and the yacht club had already hosted this competition and even a World Cup in Nacra 17, a few years ago, so they applied again, explains Camille El Bèze, director of management, communication and projects at the CEM, involved in the coordination of the organization.

Final rehearsal before the Olympics for athletes and judges

A big event therefore, especially as it will be the last international event before the Games and will clearly serve as a rehearsal."Several nations are expected to present themselves with their selected crews, notably France. There is confidential information around this, because given that there is one crew per country, the competitors could favor this or that opponent if they know that an event is qualifying, explains the organizers.

One thing is certain, there are 180 crews, or 360 men and women athletes from 35 nations who will be on the shores of the Mediterranean at the beginning of May. But also race officials who will also judge a few weeks later in Marseille and will also be in the rehearsal phase.

150 volunteers needed

To welcome them in the best conditions, 150 volunteers will be called upon for eight to ten days for the sporting and technical organization, on the water and on land: registrations, rankings, race committee, referees, measurers, security , land logistics, sea logistics, equipment management, maintenance of premises and boat park, transport, accommodation, catering, receptive, general coordination… Don’t throw any more away.

"We already have requests from nations to come and train from the beginning of April in La Grande-Motte, with what that implies in terms of equipment, boat , trailers, etc. We are seeing all this with the City", details Camille El Bèze, who underlines the municipal involvement but also the support of the Occitanie Region, while awaiting the probable support of the State. There is also private assistance which could lead to a naming, but in the meantime, the event will be called La Grande-Motte international regatta 2024.

A great promotion for the territory

The opportunity to publicize the entire bay of Aigues-Mortes and all its advantages, to make it an essential place for sailing. For this, the three racing zones will be ideal, since they will take place from the coast of Grau-du-Roi Port Camargue to Carnon.

"This is an important event for our territory, in this Olympic year, with the Terres de Jeux labels. This is an opportunity to highlight our superb conditions for sailing all year round. We would like La Grande-Motte to eventually become a place where we come to train all year round, hope the organizers. A good organization of the European and world championships should help.
 

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