D-3 to the 57th French Olympic Week of Hyères – Toulon Provence Méditerrané

56th 57th French Olympic Week of Hyères – Toulon Provence Méditerrané © FFVoile - SOF / SailingEnergy

Three days to go until the 57th French Olympic Week of Hyères - Toulon Provence Méditerranée's kick-off, the line-up is taking shape.

More than 700 athletes from 59 nations are getting ready to take over the Bay of Hyères for one of the highlights of the international calendar. Across the ten Olympic classes on the program, the level promises to be high and the show worthy of this iconic and demanding race area.

From April 18 to 25, the French Olympic Week of Hyères will host all ten Olympic classes. As the second stage of the Sailing Grand Slam, following Palma de Mallorca (Spain), the French event stands as a key marker in the season for the world's top sailors.

With 136 entries, the ILCA 7 fleet (men's single-handed dinghy) is once again the largest. It is followed by ILCA 6 (83 entries) and the men's iQFOiL (66 competitors).

ILCA - Single-handed dinghy (136 men, 83 women)

In ILCA 7, the spotlight will be on Australia's Matt Wearn, double Olympic champion (Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024) and recent winner of the Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia 2026. He will be the man to beat. Hong Kong's Nicholas Halliday will face a tough challenge to defend his title against a very strong fleet.

In ILCA 6, a fierce battle is shaping up between Italy's Chiara Benini Floriani (defending champion), Ireland's Eve McMahon (winner of the Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia 2026), Great Britain's Daisy Collingridge and Belgium's Emma Plasschaert, who finished 2nd and 3rd in Palma. French hopes will rest in part on Louise Cervera (world champion) and local sailor Marie Barrue.

iQFOiL - Windfoil (66 men, 41 women)

In the men's fleet, France's Nicolas Goyard arrives in top form after his victory in Palma. He will be pushed hard by China's Kun Bi (2025 winner), Australia's Grae Morris (Olympic silver medallist at Paris 2024 and runner-up here last year), and Italy's Nicolò Renna (2024 world champion).

The women's event promises a strong battle, led by Olympic champion Marta Maggetti, Israel's Tamar Steinberg (winner in Palma and SOF 2025), and her teammate Sharon Kantor (SOF 2025 bronze medallist). France's Hélène Noesmoen also returns to Hyères.

49er - Double-handed dinghy (44 men, 24 women)

In the 49er, Americans Nevin Snow and Ian MacDiarmid - winners here in 2025 and recent runners-up in Palma - start as the crew to beat. China's Wang Xin and Qi Tianyu will be among the leading challengers in a fiercely competitive fleet.

In the 49er FX, Sweden's Vilma Bobeck, Olympic silver medallist at Paris 2024, is one of the main favourites alongside teammate Ebba Berntsson, who recently finished 4th in Palma.

Formula Kite - Kitefoil (40 men, 23 women)

In the men's event, Singapore's Maximilian Maeder, Italy's Riccardo Pianosi and Austria's Valentin Bontus set the pace in Palma and arrive as leading contenters. They will be challenged by Slovenia's Toni Vodisek and Switzerland's Gian Stragiotti in a very high-level fleet.

In the women's competition, France's Lauriane Nolot, Olympic silver medallist and winner in Palma, lines up as the clear favourite. She will face strong opposition from China's Liu Chenxue (3rd in Palma) and Li Wan, winner of SOF 2025.

470 - Mixed double-handed dinghy (49 entries)

The 470 mixed fleet promises intense racing, with Spain's Jordi Xammar Hernández and Marta Cardona Alcántara, winners in Palma and runners-up here in 2025, leading a highly competitive field. Britain's Martin Wrigley / Bettine Harris and France's Matisse Pacaud / Lucie de Gennes - both on the Palma podium - will also be strong contenders. Defending champions Simon Diesch / Anna Markfort are also on the watchlist.

Nacra 17 - Mixed multihull, (30 entries)

The Nacra 17 fleet is exceptional, led by Italy's Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti, double Olympic champions (Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024), who start as strong favourites. Argentina's Mateo Majdalani / Eugenia Bosco (Olympic silver medallists at Paris 2024 and runners-up in Palma) and Britain's John Gimson / Anna Burnet (SOF 2025 winners) will also be serious contenders. Sweden's Emil Järudd / Hanna Jonsson, recent winners in Palma, and France's Tim Mourniac / Aloïse Retornaz complete a world-class line-up.

Key facts - French Olympic Week Hyères - TPM
Dates: 18 - 25 April 2026
Edition: 57th edition
Nations: 59
Sailing Grand Slam: 2nd stage
Classes: 10 Olympic classes

French Olympic Week schedule

Friday, April 17: Registration & welcome
Saturday, April 18: Registration & welcome
Sunday, April 19: Registration & welcome
Sunday, April 19: 6:00 PM - Opening ceremony
Monday, April 20 to Friday, April 24: Qualifying series
Friday, April 24: iQFOiL & Formula Kite Medal Series
Saturday, April 25: ILCA, 49er, Nacra 17 & 470 Medal Races
Saturday, April 25: 5:00 PM - Prize giving & closing ceremony