Nacra 17. Hyeres 2023: Day 1

Quick update of the Semaine Olympique Francaise, being held this week at Hyeres. Only one race today due to harsh conditions. Lange had an appendicitis surgery past week but he went to race today.

Photos: Sailing Energy / SOF 2023 Media.

Official Report Day 1 SOF:

Nacra 17 Hyeres 2023 Day 1 (mixed double-handed hydrofoil catamaran)

The first out in the morning, both fleets only managed one race before conditions – particularly on the course further offshore – forced them in.

After unusually slipping off the podium in lighter conditions in Palma at the beginning of April, Ruggero Tita & Caterina Banti, Italy’s Olympic champions and the winners here last year, enjoyed racing in bigger conditions. They passed their rival Italian crew on the second upwind. “Our race area was easily raceable, the strongest gust we had was around 22-23 knots; unfortunately we stayed for only one race, probably on the other one (race area) further out it was harder,” Tita said. “We had light conditions in Palma and struggled a bit so we did some specific work here. But we love these conditions.

In the other fleet, Jason Waterhouse & Lisa Darmanin (5th at the Tokyo Olympics) won with a lot of clearwater leaving many a capsize in their wake. “It was a typical first day in Hyères – 25+ knots, 30-knot gusts, and waves, standard, kind of what we were expecting,” Waterhouse said. “And the sun’s out. Very Australian (conditions), sunny, windy, reminds us a bit of home but we get sweet pastries at the same time, so it’s a double win.

“We could see the carnage – we won by half a leg – for us it is disappointing because probably two more good races would set us up well for the regatta but at the same time the safety of others is important and we respect the decision. Hopefully we’ll get out tomorrow.”

If things were not going your way, it was question of hanging on, including for Britain’s John Gimson & Anna Burnett, Olympic silver medalists in Tokyo and second here last year, who managed third, just “We survived!” Gimson said. “I think our course was the choppier of the two (further out), it was one of the most extreme Nacra races we’ve had for sure, in terms of sea state, short and sharp waves.

“We had a capsize towards the bottom of the last run, there were steep waves, very hairy and lots of capsizes around us. It was one of those days you’re just happy if you can get a counter out of it.”

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Complete results here