An exceptional 2026 vintage

With 224 races completed, 705 athletes from 59 nations, and an atmosphere blending the Olympic elite with a hungry new generation, the 2026 edition combined performance and friendliness. On the water as on land, where 200 volunteers and 350 sailing initiations brought life to a village open to all, the spectacle was total right up to the finals, crowning sailors from Italy, Australia, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Singapore, China, Hungary, Israel, and Argentina.

For Véronique Bernardini, mayor of Hyères: "I want to salute the victory of Lauriane Nolot and the bronze medal of Lysa Caval in kitefoil, here at home, as well as the commitment of all the athletes, and especially our Hyères locals and the French team.

This success is also collective. Thank you to the Fédération Française de Voile, the organizers, the volunteers, and the City staff, whose commitment is essential. I am also delighted that the event was opened to the general public, particularly through the entertainment village, which allowed everyone to discover and share sailing.

In Hyères, we choose to fully embrace our identity: a city of the sea, of sport, and of sharing. This ambition will continue to guide our actions."

For his part, ED Russo, Event Commissioner of the SOF, added: "For the athletes it was a great week, the weather was with us with magical conditions, and the athletes were able to race during the 6 days. And we were able to complete 100% of the program with the iQFOILs, which have difficulty racing before 9-10 knots. So it is truly a beautiful edition.

Two years away from the Games, this 57th SOF is important because we are in a selection period for the Olympic Games final format. This decision was made in November last year by World Sailing on condition that the new format be tested up to the SOF. It was a major test for the new format that we tested for the 6 boat classes today.

The point is to have a more open format, to give more opportunity to the 10 boats in the final to reach the podium. We have an incredible organization here, notably between the FFVoile and the city of Hyères as well as with all the partners involved to make the event possible. Thanks in particular to the Toulon Provence Méditerranée metropolis and to the 200 volunteers who give their all, without whom nothing would be possible."

PLEASE NOTE... Next event from April 17 to 24, 2027.