The favourable conditions arrived just in time for the concluding days of the ISAF’s 2009 Semaine Olympique Francaise. It was a pair of gold medals to France at Hyeres that saw them finish the week-long event as the most decorated of the 60+ nations that took part.

It was Xavier Rohart and Pierre-Alexis Ponsot in the Star and Julien Bontemps in the RS:X that secured the first places for the French.

After competing for most of the week in light conditions, the French were able to prove their aptitude for breezy racing with the wind reaching 20 knots by the time the first medal race was set to commence.

The Sibello brothers, Pietro and Gianfranco (ITA), were the first to confirm their early victory in the 49ers with a second place taken in the medal race. This is the second ISAF Sailing World Cup event won back to back by the Italians since their return to international competition.

“We didn’t expect to be winning our first two events like that! We see now the result of all the training we did leading to the Olympic Games. When you race with such wind you have to give everything and be careful at the same time to avoid breakage or injuries. We haven’t raced in strong wind for a long time and this was a good test.”

The young Danish team of Henriette Koch and Lene Sommer confirmed their earlier lead in the Semaine Olympique Francaise after finishing fourth in the medal race. They win their second ISAF Sailing World Cup event this year and extend their lead on the World Cup Standings.

Unfortunately for them it appears they will be unable to continue their string of quality results. “We would like to keep it like that, unfortunately we both have engineering exams and will miss the Delta Lloyd Regatta.”

No Australians competed in any of the medal races.

The remaining events of the ISAF Sailing World Cup include:

27-31 May 2009 - Delta Lloyd Regatta, Medemblik, Netherlands
20-29 June 2009 - Kieler Woche, Kiel, Germany
14-19 Sept 2009 - Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta, Weymouth, Great Britain

For more information visit the ISAF World Sailing website.

View the WCSN video footage of the ISAF Sailing World Cup Event IV Medal Races.