The world’s Olympic sailing elite set to gather in Hyères for the French Olympic Week

In exactly one month’s time, the Bay of Hyères will once again become one of the global hubs of Olympic sailing. From 18 to 25 April 2026, the French Olympic Week Hyères – TPM (SOF) will welcome the world’s best sailors for the second stage of the Sailing Grand Slam, the leading international circuit for Olympic sailing classes.

Organised by the French Sailing Federation, this iconic event will bring together several hundred sailors from more than 50 nations, competing across the ten Olympic disciplines: single-handed dinghy for women and men (ILCA 6 & ILCA 7), double-handed dinghy (49er FX & 49er), windfoil (iQFOil), kitefoil (Formula Kite), the mixed double dinghy (470) and the mixed double catamaran (Nacra 17).
 
“For decades, the French Olympic Week in Hyères has been a key event in the Olympic sailing calendar. Welcoming the world’s best sailors once again to the Bay of Hyères is a great source of pride. This stage of the Sailing Grand Slam confirms Hyères and the French Sailing Federation as central players on the international circuit and promises an exceptional week of racing. Beyond the sporting competition, we also want the event to be a celebration for the people of Hyères and the many visitors in the Toulon Provence Méditerranée area, whom we thank for their support,” says Ed Russo, Event Manager of the SOF.

A major international reference event

Each year, the French Olympic Week Hyères confirms its status as one of the most important events in the Olympic sailing calendar. As the second stage of the Sailing Grand Slam, it stands alongside the Trofeo Princesa Sofía in Spain (27 March – 4 April) as one of the largest Olympic sailing competitions in the world — often compared to Roland-Garros in tennis for the sailing community.
Renowned for the quality and variety of its sailing conditions, the Bay of Hyères offers demanding racecourses where the world’s best sailors test themselves against the highest level of international competition.

Among the defending champions and sailors to watch this year are Italy’s Chiara Benini Floriani (ILCA 6), Hong Kong’s Nicholas Halliday (ILCA 7), Israel’s Tamar Steinberg (iQFoil), China’s Kun Bi (iQFoil), China’s Wan Li (Formula Kite), the USA’s Nevin Snow & Ian Macdiarmid (49er) and Great Britain’s John Gimson & Anna Burnet (Nacra 17).

Olympic medallists among the favourites

Several Olympic medallists will also be competing in Hyères.
In ILCA 7, Australia’s Matt Wearn, double Olympic champion (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), will be one of the top contenders, alongside Cyprus’ Pavlos Kontides, silver medallist at Paris 2024.
In ILCA 6, Norway’s Line Flem Høst, bronze medallist at Paris 2024, will also be among the favourites.
The Nacra 17 fleet will feature Italy’s Ruggero Tita & Caterina Banti, double Olympic champions (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), facing strong competition from Argentina’s Mateo Majdalani & Eugenia Bosco (silver medallists in Paris 2024) and New Zealand’s Micah Wilkinson, bronze medallist at the last Games.
In Formula Kite, Olympic silver medallist Toni Vodisek (Slovenia) and bronze medallist Maximilian Maeder (Singapore) will be among the leading contenders in the men’s fleet, while Lauriane Nolot of France, silver medallist at Paris 2024, will compete in the women’s event.
Also expected is Vilma Bobeck of Sweden, silver medallist in 49er FX at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

A strong French team on home waters

The French Sailing Team is expected to compete with a full squad, including ILCA 6 World Champion Louise Cervera and Thomas Arnoux, runner-up at the iQFOil World Championship.

A festive village on shore

Onshore, a public event village will be open throughout the week. Free and accessible to all, it will offer a wide range of activities for families and visitors: sailing initiations, fun entertainment, opportunities to meet the teams and discover Olympic sailing.
A lively and welcoming space designed to allow everyone to experience the French Olympic Week Hyères at the heart of the event.

Spectator boats to follow the races

Free spectator boat trips will also be organised, giving visitors the chance to watch the racing from the water and experience Olympic sailing up close — a unique and spectacular view of the competition.