Polish sailing team set for Semaine Olympique Française in Hyères
The Polish national sailing team is set to compete in the 57th edition of Semaine Olympique Française, one of the key events in the Olympic sailing calendar and part of the prestigious Sailing Grand Slam series. The regatta will take place from April 20–25 off the coast of Hyères, France, bringing together more than 680 athletes from over 50 nations across all ten Olympic classes.
In brief
The 57th edition of the Semaine Olympique Française, part of the Sailing Grand Slam series, will start on 20 April in Hyères, France, and run until 25 April. The regatta will bring together more than 680 sailors from over 50 countries, with Poland represented by a 23-strong squad, including the crew of Agnieszka Skrzypulec-Szota and Mikołaj Bazyli making their debut in the 470 class. Agata Barwińska said the main goal is preparation for the World Sailing world championships in January 2027. The two-person classes of the 2027 world championships will compete in Gdynia from 22 July to 1 August.
Held annually for nearly six decades, the Hyères regatta remains one of the longest-running events in Olympic sailing, second only to Kieler Woche in terms of historical continuity.
Polish line-up and notable entries
A total of 23 Polish sailors will take part in this year’s competition, including several members of the national team structure. A key highlight will be the debut of a new Polish pairing in the 470 class: Agnieszka Skrzypulec-Szota and Mikołaj Bazyli.
Poland will also field four junior crews in the 49er and 49erFX classes. In 49er, the teams of August Sobczak / Fabian Kocięda and Igor Kawałko / Wiktor Mielnik will compete, while Ewa Lewandowska / Anna Zwara and Klara Sobczak / Magdalena Skórnóg will represent Poland in the 49erFX fleet.
In Formula Kite, Poland will be represented by Jan Marciniak, Jan Koszowski, Piotr Szymiec, Izabela Satrjan, and Julia Damasiewicz.
Strong presence in ILCA classes
Poland will also have a strong showing in the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 fleets. In ILCA 6, Agata Barwińska, Wiktoria Gołębiowska, Lilly May Niezabitowska, and Hanna Rogowska will compete, while Filip Olszewski, Piotr Malinowski, Tadeusz Kubiak, and Hubert Roszyk will race in ILCA 7.
Wiktoria Gołębiowska highlighted the demanding nature of the Hyères racecourse:
- I'm looking forward to racing in Hyères and continuing to work on the elements that didn’t go as planned during the Trofeo Princesa Sofia. The conditions here are very challenging. The mistral can reach up to 30 knots, and because it blows offshore, it is highly variable and requires quick decision-making. These are not my favorite conditions, but I hope they will help me improve my weaker areas.
Agata Barwińska, current world and European silver medallist, expressed a more positive view of the venue:
- Hyères Bay is one of my favorite places to sail. I won the European Championships here in 2022, so I’m very happy to be back. I have high ambitions for this season. My main goal is to prepare for the World Sailing Championships in January 2027. Before that, I’m focusing on the European Championships in Croatia in May and the World Championships in Ireland in September. This year, I want to finally win gold at the Worlds, not silver.
Olympic context and qualification pathway
Hyères has also played an important role in Olympic qualification. In 2024, the venue hosted the last chance regatta for the Paris Games, where Michał Krasodomoski secured an Olympic berth in the ILCA 7 class.
Looking ahead, the 2027 World Sailing Championships will mark the first stage of qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The single-handed classes will compete in Fortaleza, Brazil (January 15–23), while the double-handed events will be held in Gdynia, Poland (July 22 – August 1).
Absences and season preparation
Notably absent from this year’s Hyères regatta are Polish athletes from the iQFOiL class, as well as senior crews in the 49er and 49erFX fleets. These teams are currently focused on preparations for upcoming championship events, including the 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 World Championships in Quiberon and the iQFOiL European Championships in Portimão in May.
The Semaine Olympique Française will serve as an important benchmark for the Polish squad as they enter a crucial phase of the international sailing season.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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