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ISAF SAILING WORLD CUP HYÈRES TOULON PROVENCE MÉDITERRANÉE APRIL 19 - 26, 2014 PRESS KIT 2 ISAF SAILING WORLD CUP HYÈRES 2013 - © J A word from Jean-PierreÉDITO 350 volunteers, more than 1,000 competitors and 60 nations represented over 6 days of competition…The renewed success of the ISAF Sailing World Cup Champion Hyères – Toulon Provence Méditerranée confirms its status as a not to be missed EDITO international sailing event! The French Sailing Federation (FFV) and the Organising Committee work together to make this final leg of the circuit the best of the Sailing World Cup in terms of the welcome provided on land and the exploits on the water. We are very proud of the trust shown in this 46 year old event by ISAF! The ingredients for success never change; a renowned stretch of water and exemplary organisation make this a meeting that competitors want to come back to. The ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères – Toulon Provence Méditerranée is an «FFVOILE 2014» event and I would like to thank all the organisers, sponsors and competitors who have made it all possible and turned it into such a success. This 2014 edition, with its flavour of the Olympics, will be an event to be savoured. It is a pivotal leg for all the competitors with the World Championships to be held in Santander in September in their sights. Following the excellent results of the French team in Palma, the bar has been set high for the French delegation and we’ll have our eye on them! See you on the water from 21st April to enjoy the races! A following wind to all! Jean-Pierre Champion President of French Sailing Federation Jean-Marie Liot / DPPI / FFVOILE 3 A word from Hubert For 6 years, now the Toulon Provence Méditerranée Community of Agglomerations has been proud to be associated as the title sponsor with the Olympic sailing event in Falco Hyéres, which was renamed the Sailing World Cup Hyères two years ago. EDITO It is by hosting prestigious nautical events like this one, but also the Tall Ships Regatta with its million visitors in 2013, that Toulon Provence Méditerranée (TPM) reaffirms its maritime calling by making our beautiful region a privileged and integral part of international racing. This policy also represents a major advantage for the economy and tourism for all the ports in the Agglomeration in the full respect of the environmental standards of the twenty first century. To help the public enjoy the highlights promised by the week, TPM is making free- of-charge shuttles available so supporters can follow the races on the water and encourage the crews who represent more than 50 countries! The 12 communes join me to wish you all the very best conditions for achieving your nautical ambitions. Hubert Falco President of the Toulon Provence Méditerranée Community of Agglomerations 4 A word from Jean-Pierre The outlook for the 2014 Sailing World Cup (SWC), prepared by the Giran Organising Committee, has never been better. EDITO After a 2013 edition, which delivered on its promise for a post-Olympic year, in April we are expecting more than 800 boats for about one thousand competitors and some 300 coaches. The whole of Port St. Pierre, from the Quai d’Honneur to Seniorie beach, will be buzzing throughout the fortnight in April, which will be attended by numerous champions and Olympic medallists. Hyères, capital of Olympic sailing, will be ready to give this leg of the SWC the welcome it deserves in cooperation with the Fédération Française de Voile. A very warm welcome to the foreign delegations, their athletes, trainers and supporters and a great regatta to all. Jean-Pierre Giran Deputy Mayor of the town of Hyères-Les-Palmiers © Jean-Marie Liot / DPPI FFVOILE 5 ISAF SAILING WORLD CUP The Sailing World Cup is the The ISAF Sailing World Cup – Hyères TPM, last leg of International Sailing Federation the World Cup, is the only French meeting on the circuit. (ISAF) World Cup circuit that Historically, the town used to host the SOF or French Olympic includes five legs around the world: Week. In 2013, the ISAF awarded it the prestigious Sailing Qingdao, Melbourne, Miami, World Cup label, thereby confirming its status as an integral Palma and Hyères. Each of these part of the circuit. legs involves all the Olympic series and some of the Paralympic series. This year Hyères will be hosting the Sailing World cup for the second time, organised by the French Sailing Federation (FFV) with the • Qingdao, CHINA technical and logistical support of the town of Hyères and the much October 12 - 19, 2013 needed financial backing of the Toulon Provence Méditerranée • Melbourne, AUSTRALIA Community of Agglomerations (TPM). December 1 - 8, 2013 • Miami, USA January 25 - February 1, 2014 The ISAF Sailing World Cup – Hyères TPM brings together the very best international competitors over a 10 day period • Palma de Majorca, SPAIN and, as such, it is the biggest sailing event in France in terms March 29 - April 5, 2014 of participants and international representation. A veritable • Hyères, FRANCE feast of sailing and a vital part of preparation for the Olympics, April 19 - 26, 2014 the Sailing World Cup is a flagship event attended by all the greatest athletes. 6 SWC in figures: • 10 Olympic series entered • 2 Paralympic series • 60 nations represented • more than 1,000 competitors • almost 800 boats • 350 organisers and volunteers • 80 organiser boats • 27 international judges • 6 racing days ISAF SAILING WORLD CUP HYÈRES 2013 - © Claire ADB 7 HYÈRES, AN EXCEPTIONAL NAUTICAL VENUE The venue at Hyères, considered by competitors to be one of the best on the circuit, seems tailor made for sailing. The surrounding islands of Levant, Port Cros and Porquerolles constitute a natural barrier when the sea becomes too rough and provide an exceptional backdrop. © JB Epron So that the competitors can all race at the same time, the water is divided into 6 areas (also known as ‘circuits’) that each accommodate more than one series. Each circuit is operated independently and has a race committee in charge of starts and ensuring that the rules are respected. 8 HYÈRES AND SAILING: 46 YEARS OF HISTORY It was in 1968 that Abel Bellaguet had the idea of organising an international event in Hyères. The Olympic spirit was at the forefront from the very beginning and yet no one would have bet on the 150 boat regatta still being around 46 years on. It was only much later that the FFV started to provide support, knowhow, expertise and resources to enable the Hyères competition to achieve critical mass. Initiated by a sailor for other sailors, the French Olympic Week, or SOF (as it was known), was an immediate success due to the excellent organisation and the quality of the venue. From the very beginnings in 1968, the Olympic spirit reigned and the triangular courses marked out in the harbour were equalled only by those set out by the organisers of the Olympic Games in Mexico, Munich or Montreal. Following the successes enjoyed in the early years, the FFV decided to increase the number of circuits, or the available surface area, to enable 240 boats from 16 nations to compete as of the early 70s. “It was then that we embarked on the path to Olympic status” declares Abel Bellaguet, “at the time it was a surprise. And this ISAF SAILING WORLD CUP HYÈRES 2013 expansion was only the first in a long series, driven by a certain globalisation of Olympic sailing. © Claire ADB Another milestone was reached in 1991 when the FFV took on direct responsibility for organising the event, working closely with the municipal services of the town of Hyères-Les Palmiers. Since then, the SOF has never stopped growing and has become a leader in this type of event. In 2001, it did what only very few international regattas dare to attempt, or indeed any other sports, and welcomed disabled competitors. In reality, the Sailing World Cup has never been so young and its heritage as precious. It is even proud of its wrinkles, because it is the wind that has etched them into its waters. 9 COMPETITION TIMETABLE* ENTRIES - INSPECTION OF THE Saturday 19th April and Sunday 20th April from 9 am to 5 pm BOATS (TONNAGE) TRAININGS Sunday 20th April at 2 pm OPENING CEREMONY Sunday 20th April at 6 pm QUALIFYING ROUNDS From Monday 21st to Tuesday 22nd April – 11 am, in Hyères bay FINAL ROUNDS From Wednesday 23rd to Friday 25th April All competitors take part in the finals, split into 2 or 3 fleets depending on their results during the qualifying rounds: Gold, Silver and Bronze. Only competitors in the Gold Fleet may enter the Medal Race and win the SWC. MEDAL RACE (GRAND FINAL) Saturday 26th April: 30 minute race between the best competitors in each series, for which the points count double. The 10 best in each series qualify. PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY Friday 25th April (for the paralympics) at 6 pm Saturday 26th April (for the olympics) at 5 pm * The Organising Committee and race management reserve the right to modify the timetable 10 EVENTS Both sporting and festive, the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Hyères is the place to meet. Athletes, international referees, volunteers and organisers gather together to transform the competition into a true meeting place where ever greater numbers come along to see the races. Opening Ceremony Sunday 20th April at 6 pm opposite the official marquee and notice board. Race Village The village is open to the public from 19th to 26th April from 9 am to 6 pm.