Heading to Hyeres for Event 4 of the 2011-2012 ISAF Sailing World Cup

With the 2012 sailing season in full swing the ISAF Sailing World Cup heads to Hyéres, France for the Semaine Olympique Francaise, the fourth of the seven regattas which make up the ISAF Sailing World Cup. 88 teams from 34 nations and six continents are entered in the 470 Men event, with 49 teams from 27 nations going head to head in the 470 Women event.

The 2011 Champions Pierre Leboucher/Vincent Garos (FRA), the world’s # 18 world ranked team, will be aiming to defend their title in the 470 men event. However, in the 470 Women event, Spain’s Tara Pacheco/Berta Betanzos are not competing to defend their title, with their focus on the 2012 470 World Championships in May in Barcelona, Spain.

In the 470 Women, Ai Kondo and Wakako Tabata (JPN) will look to turn their two silver medals from Sail Melbourne and Princess Sofia into gold at the Semaine Olympique Francaise. Despite not recording a regatta win, the Japanese duo lead the Women's 470 Standings on 38 points followed by Elise Rechichi and Belinda Stowell (AUS) on 37 points and Kathrin Kadelbach and Friederike Belcher (GER) on 34 points. All three will sail for World Cup points in France.

And in the Men's 470 fleet, Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page (AUS) will want to continue their good form in Hyéres that sees them lead the Men's 470 Standings on 40 points. Stu McNay and Graham Biehl (USA), in second place on 37 points, will look to reduce the gap on the World #1 Australians in France.

For many teams, Semaine Olympique Francaise is key to the final preparations to the 2012 470 World Championships where the remaining qualification places in the 470 Men and 470 Women events at the 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition will be available.

The 2012 470 World Championships in Barcelona will offer teams their final chance to qualify through the World Championship route, with 7 qualification places up for grabs in the 470 Men and 5 in the 470 Women.

Racing commences on 22 April 2012.

More Information:
Event Website
ISAF Sailing World Cup News
2012 470 World Championship website

Source: ISAF

Image: Bulgaria’s Yana Markova/Iva Nedeva set for SOF © 470 Class