From the 11 Olympic Sailing events, only the Stars are absent. The 2.4 keelboat will be the sole Paralympic boat present in Hyères.

Most of last year’s winners are back to defend their title. Strong competition is expected from every series with the exception of the Mistral Men and Women who are preparing for their European Championship in Sicily, starting early May.

In the 470 class, Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page from Australia will have to fight for their title in a large and talented fleet of 96 boats including Greek pair of Kosmatopoulos/Trigonis, winners of the 2003 Athens test events; Sydney Bronze medallists Javier Conte and Juan de la Fuente from Argentina and fellow competitors the Belcher brothers, winners of the Princes Sofia regatta in Palma.

“2002 ISAF Women Sailors of the Year”, Sofia Bekatorou and Emilia Tsoulfa from Greece will be again the hot favourites. Competition will also come from 2000 Olympic Champions, Jenny Armstrong and Belinda Stowell. The Australians are strong from their recent victory in Palma. Stefanie Rothweiler and Monika Leu from Germany or the Israeli team of Buskila/Kornitzki, 1st and second in Barcelona’s Sailing week are among the teams in contention for the title.

In the 49er, the Spanish team of Ilker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez, World Number 1, will be hard to beat. World and European Champions in 2002, they started the year by winning the Athens Eurolymp. They will be challenged by fellow Spanish sailors Lopez Vazquez / de la Plaza, full of confidence after their win in Palma. The Ukrainian crew Luka / Leonchuk are among the favourites. Ranked 2nd in the World, they won the Cadiz Test event and placed 3rd in Palma.

With over 110 boats, the Europe class is one of the largest fleet to race in Hyères. The size of the fleet is equal to the quality of the competition, with all of the top sailor’s presents, some already in selection for the Olympic and Pre-Olympic Games (Belgium, Canada…). Dominating the World Ranking, Sari Multala is expected to continue on her good form. Her victories this year include the Athens Eurolymp and Palma.

The Finn fleet is promising a tight battle with 67 boats from 30 countries. Among them, many strong sailors could take the “SOF” title from Olympic and World Champion, Mateuz Kusznierewicz, Ben Ainslie (GBR), 2002 ISAF Sailor of the Year and current World and European Champion or World Number 1, Emilios Papathanasiou. Undefeated this year, Sebastien Godefroid is one of the hottest prospects. The Belgium dominated the “Down Under Circuit” in Australia and New-Zealand, Barcelona sailing Week and the Princess Sofia regatta in Palma.

By far the largest fleet, the Laser class is counting 158 competitors. Main contenders include double Olympic medallist and World champion, Robert Scheidt from Brazil, Paul Goodison and Edward Wright from Great Britain, Swedish sailor, Karl Suneson…

The Semaine Olympique Française is the second Olympic selection regatta for the Australian sailors in the Laser class. Sydney Bronze medallist, Michael Blackburn will try to regain the advantage over fellow Australian Brendan Casey.

Winners of the Athens Eurolymp and 5th on the World ranking, French pair of Olivier Backes and Laurent Voiron will have to defend their title in the Tornado class. The French team is strongly represented with 9 crews. They will face ranking leaders and Olympic Champions, the Austrian Hagara / Steinacher, the Dutch Booth / Herbert and Australians Bundock / Ashby. Darren Bundock, Silver Medallist in Sydney is teaming up with A Class Catamaran World Champion Glenn Ashby. He is replacing John Forbes who has decided to have a break at the start of this long sailing season.

Despite a 16th in Palma, World Number one in the Women Keelboat, Monica Azon, Laia Tutzo and Julie Garcia remain favourites, but will be under threat of many good teams including Shirley Robertson from the UK, winner of Barcelona and Palma regattas with crews Sarah Ayton and Inga Leask. German team helmed by Ulrike Schuemann or Americans Alison / Icyda / Leech, will be in contention for the title. Hyeres’s week is also an Olympic nomination regatta for the Dutch teams who have to place in the top 5.

With the Mistral class European Championship starting early May, a reduced fleet will compete in Hyères. In the Men’s division, 57 competitors are present with large contingent from Algeria and China. Top sailors Gal Fridman (ISR) and Ricardo Santos from Brazil have chosen to come and compete in Hyères.

In the Women, double Olympic medallist, Alessandra Sensini is the hot prospect in the 22 board fleet.

The 2.4 will be the only Paralympic class represented in Hyères. Vice-World Champion, Damien Seguin will defend his title in a fleet of 17 boats.

Racing will start on Sunday, April 26th.

Source: Event Press Office