4:41 PM Wed 14 Apr 2010 GMT
The 42nd Semaine Olympique Fran?aise Hy?res (SOF) will begin on the 24th of April in Hyeres, and organisers are ready to welcome the 1012 sailors that have registered. The sailors, from no less than 58 different countries, will be taking part in the fourth leg of the Sailing World Cup, which will run until the 30th of April.
The French national sailing team of Emmanuel Dyen and St?phane Christidis will be present following their excellent results at the Trofeo Princesa Sofia - Mapfre in Palma on 28 March. French Technical Director, Philippe Gouard has asked his team to be present and ready to show their full potential, so for the first time all four French Olympic medallists will be racing at the same event.
The popularity of the French World Cup event means that some entry restrictions have been applied for the Laser and women's Match-Racing. 'We had to apply the SWC rule to accept entries up to the allowed quota', explained event manager Bernard Bonneau, who is also happy with the high level of competition. 'With over 33 Olympic medallists and many World champions, the world sailing elite will be on the starting line.'
For the second consecutive year, Toulon Provence M?diterran?e (TPM) will be the event's major partner. 'Without TPM, the 42nd SOF would have been under threat, especially in this period of economic crisis,' confides Bonneau.
'TPM brings not only consequent financial support, but also logistics, great connections and important actions, like the spectator's boats which help to bring the racing to the public.'
Mr Hubert Falco, the President of the Communaut? d'Agglom?ration Toulon Provence M?diterran?e, is proud to welcome such a prestigious event in his area. He described the event as a 'real opportunity offered by the SOF for the sailing youth of TPM, to meet the sport's elite during this international competition.'
This new regatta partner is joining long time sponsor, the city of Hy?res, which continues to dedicate significant human resources to the organization of this great event.
Number of boats registered by class:
RS:X: 83
RS:X: 51
49er: 62
Laser: 150
Laser Radial: 96
470 Men: 101
470Women : 53
Finn: 57
Star: 12
Women Match Race (Elliott): 24
2.4: 17
Sonar: 10
For more information, please visit the event website at:
sof.ffvoile.net/
by Agence Effets Mer
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