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Over a 1000 sailors from 50 nations for the 38th
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| Semaine Olympique Française - Hyères - Over a 1000 sailors from 50 nations for the 38th |
HYÈRES, FRANCE-(21-4-2006) The 38th SOF is promising lots of excitement. Over a 1000 sailors from 50 nations have gathered in Hyères to race in their first Grade 1 event regatta in Europe. After Melbourne and Miami, the SOF will be a key regatta in the international circuit with what is anticipated to be a record participation.
For most, long months of training and preparation are coming to an end as it is now time to compete with the world’s best.
For some countries, the SOF will be used as a selection regatta for the ISAF Games in Austria next month. The Russian Lasers, the French Lasers and windsurfers, the New Zealand’s windsurfers and many others will have as their objective to be one of the best 2 teams from their country in order to represent their nation at the ISAF Games.
For the first time in France, the new racing format, adopted by ISAF last November for the 2008 Olympics, will be put into action. On the last day, the best 10 boats in each class will contest the last race for the top 10 positions, close to the coast to allow a better viewing and understanding for the public and media.
The 38th SOF will also be the first time for the windsurfers (over 150 entries) to compete in Hyères on the new Olympic board the RS:X.
A light breeze increasing in the afternoon is predicted tomorrow for the practice race scheduled to start at 3PM.
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Source: Media Office - Corinne McKenzie |
