The 84th Bol d'Or Mirabaud will once again bring together amateur sailors and professionals at the top of their game, in the world's biggest regatta contested on a lake.
Four hundred twenty-one boats have confirmed their participation. Among them: six TF35 foiling catamarans, the favourites in the overall ranking. The battle promises to be fierce in all the classes: five categories of monohulls and three of multihulls, not forgetting 102 Surprise one-designs.
The official race Village, located at the Société Nautique de Genève, will be open and accessible to the public from Friday lunchtime until Sunday evening to allow all enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the race. The Village will host a wide range of activities, including stands from the event's partners, food trucks and a bar, in pure ocean racing style. With a lounge area overlooking the harbour and the "jet d'eau", it will offer three free concerts to the public and competitors. A panel discussion on the theme "Sports for Nature" will also be organised in partnership with the Sails of Change Foundation.
"The club's new infrastructure will enable us to welcome the public and offer a wide range of activities," says Yann Petremand, president of the Organising Committee. "We learned a lot last year and made a number of adjustments that will enable us to further improve the quality of our facilities. We look forward to welcoming both amateur and professional competitors, as well as all those with a passion for sailing and Lake Geneva."
The offshore sailor Thomas Coville, who in 2016 set the record for the crewed round-the-world race in 49 days (since beaten by IDEC Sport, skippered by Francis Joyon), will be the ambassador for this 84th edition. He will be competing aboard the TF 35 Ylliam Comptoir Immobilier, which won this weekend's Genève-Rolle-Genève regatta despite suffering a fire two weeks ago, necessitating the replacement of a hull. "I'm particularly happy to be sailing my first Bol d'Or on a TF35 with Billy Besson and Thierry Briend, who I've known for a very long time and who are also part of the Team Sodebo Voile", he said.
There will be many interesting sporting challenges in all classes. The TF 35s are obviously hoping to consolidate their domination after two years marked by very light winds which were not in their favour. Christian Wahl, winner of the 2022 edition aboard a Decision 35, will be defending his title with his crew Double You Team in collaboration with the Mirabaud Sailing Squad: three young champions coached by double Olympic medallist Shirley Robertson. The Sailing Squad is also a mini-series available on the BOM's social networks: Instagram, Facebook and YouTube; an adventure that fully reflects the values of passion, entrepreneurship and team spirit that are dear to the Mirabaud Group.
"In creating this concept, we wanted to offer young talents a challenge based on the transmission of knowledge, with a view to participation in the regatta, of which we have been partners for eighteen years", explains Nicolas Mirabaud, Managing Partner of the Group. "Working with Christian Wahl, the regatta's most successful competitor, promises to be full of surprises. He knows how to bring young people together to help them perform and he knows Lake Geneva extremely well."
A tight race for the Bol de Vermeil is expected between the Hungarian Libera Raffica and Jean Psarofaghis' Syz Psaros 47, transformed this winter, possibly challenged by Thomas Jundt's QFX, Eric Monnin's Monofoil, the Psaros 33s, Luthi 1090s, F10s and so on. We will also be looking closely at the more confidential - but no less exciting - duels between the Surprises, the Grand Surprises and all the TFC classes.
The starting signal for the 2023 edition will be fired at 10.00 am on Saturday, June 10 off Port Tunnel. The weather forecast is for light winds with possible gusts under isolated thunderstorms.