Saint-Louis Festival in Sète: the big day for the little champions

The young generations will give the first blows of the lance. MIDI LIBRE – Jérôme Belluire

The young jousters from Sète will open the festivities in the Cadre Royal, this Thursday, August 22 from 6 p.m., under the watchful eye of the educators from the EJMS and the LAS.

Just after the official opening of this 280th edition of the Saint-Louis, the Place Léon-Blum will see the youngest representatives of the jousts leave in a parade to join the Cadre Royal.

On the barge and in the middle of a nautical arena decked out in its finest finery, the young jousters from Sète from the Navy Jousting School and the Lance Amicale Sétoise will taste the joys of Saint-Louis. Some of them for the first time. Accompanied by their caring instructors, they will compete in much more than just a tournament…

Favorites emerge

Three categories will be in the running. In the "first year", a big favorite will be expected. Émilio Hispa has indeed won the majority of tournaments this season, but will still have to be wary of his EJMS co-members Loris Camélioration, his main rival, and Tom Pace Gomez who, like Anzo Serrano Stento (LAS), can create a surprise.

The “second year” category will also have a favorite. Lino Arnau (LAS) has not played many tournaments this season but he still seems to be above the rest. Théo Gras (EJMS) and Jayden Perret (LAS) will also be ones to watch.

Transmission assured

Finally, in the “third year” category, the tournament promises to be particularly open with a great generation of jousters who shared the prizes this season. On the side of the École de Joutes de la Marine, Ezio Camélioration, Charli Buonomo, Gabin Lacan and Baptiste Jammes could win, while the Lance Amicale Sétoise will count on Pablo Noguet and Alessio Marianelli.

For Loïc D’Elia, head of carts at the EJMS, the next generation is already looking good: « We have a great generation in the three age categories, with mainly names from the world of jousting». The transmission is working at full speed.

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