Sailing appeared on the Olympic Games in 1900, and represented at each edition, except in 1904. In total, there are 10 series that are represented, some reserved for men, others for women and one mixed, the Nacra 17. For the next editions, the RS:X windsurf has been replaced by the i-Foil. Kitesurfing will also be part of the 2024 Olympic Games . The decision on the addition of offshore racing is expected in May 2021.
The Nacra 17 Foiling (mixed)
The Nacra 17 marked the return of multihulls to the Olympic sailing program in 2016. Mounted on curved daggerboards, this catamaran gives the impression of flying on the water as soon as it starts to pick up speed. Difficult to sail, it is the only Olympic series sailed by a mixed crew, whose profiles come from all horizons.
Billy Besson and Marie Riou - four-time French champions - have now left the helm to the duo Quentin Delapierre and Manon Audinet, European vice champions in 2020.
Technical specifications
The Finn (Men)
The Finn is a high-tech sailing boat whose strict rules nevertheless allow for constant technological research. This "floating laboratory" uses the latest innovations to ensure that this dinghy has an ever-young line and unequalled performance in single-handed sailing. Used in competition since 1952, it is the "oldest" support in sailing competition.
It requires a lot of physical strength, that's why it's the single-handed heavyweight With the Finn, legends such as Paul Elvström (DEN), four times Olympic Champion, Russell Coutts (NZL), three times America's Cup winner or Ben Ainslie (GBR), again gold medalist in London after Beijing, Athens and Sydney (in Laser) were born.
Technical specifications
- Length : 4,50 m
- Width : 1,50 m
- Weight: 145 kg
- Sail surface : 10,2 m2
The 470 (Men and Women)
The 470 is part of the French heritage since its conception by André Cornu in the 60s. Reasonably covered, it was designed for medium-sized sailors and quickly became a success with this population until it became an Olympic support in 1976.
Twelve years later, in Seoul, it was the first boat to have a female crew. For both men and women, the French tradition of 470 sailing continues as the blue team has won several world championships and Olympic medals.
Camille Lecointre and Aloïse Retornaz - 4th in the 2021 470 World Championship - will represent the women and Kévin Peponnet & Jérémie Mion, world champions in 2018, the men.
Technical specifications
The i-Foil
Used since the 2008 Olympics, the RS:X - drifting windsurf - will be replaced in 2021 by the i-Foil board. The latter will allow to fly on water at impressive speeds
In the men's category, it is Thomas Goyard who represents France and in the women's category, it is Charline Picon European Champion 2016 and 6th at the World Championship 2016.
The 49er (Male) / 49 erFX (Female)
The 49er is perhaps the most acrobatic of the Olympic boats. This two-man dinghy was admitted to Olympus for its ability to put on a show. Downwind, it has a sail area of nearly 60m2, no more and no less than an apartment with two bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bathroom, all on a 125 kg skiff!
The tightrope walkers able to tame such a device are rare. At the Games since 2008 for men, it makes its first appearance at the Rio Games for women.
Lucas Rual & Emile Amoros will represent the men.
The female crew has not yet been announced.
Technical specifications
Length : 4,99 m
Width : 2,90 m
Weight : 49er : 125 kg / 49erFX : 120 kg
Sail area : 49er : Sail area + spi : 21.2 m2 + 38 m2 / 49erFX : Sail area + spi : 19.6 m2 + 25.1 m2
The standard and radial laser
The Laser is probably the boat that can be found in any sailing club, anywhere in the world. This flat-bottomed dinghy, easy to rig, owes its phenomenal success to its strict one-design and its robustness.
Identical, the boats are provided to the Rio Games by the organization. There is only the talent of the helmsman to make the difference.
The Radial, little brother of the Standard, uses the same hull as the Standard, but the sail is different. Smaller, it allows lighter sailors to express themselves. Since the Beijing Olympic Games, the Laser Radial is the single-handed dinghy for women.
In Laser standard, Jean-Baptiste Bernaz, Vice World Champion in 2016 and 8th at the European Championship, will win in 2021. Marie Bolou will defend the French women's colors.
