Sailing: the CEM will be even more foil with the Waszp, the single-handed dinghy

Les championnats de France de Waszp ont eu lieu en 2024 à La Grande-Motte. – Didier Hillaire

The Mediterranean Training Center in La Grande-Motte will develop this category.

“Everything has been moving quite quickly in the sailing world in recent years. You have to jump on the bandwagon. Or even try to get ahead of it to keep up with the times,” assures Camille El Bèze, the communications and sports projects director at the Mediterranean Training Center in La Grande-Motte.

A philosophy that has continued for twenty years and the creation of the structure. It is in this state of mind that since mid-November, she has turned to the Waszp, a solo foiling dinghy. “We realized that the Nacra 15 (one-design catamaran), which was originally a stepping stone series to move on to the Nacra 17 (one-design foiling catamaran) did not necessarily fulfill its role. It is not the logical transition. There is a huge step in terms of level and size. The crews that sail in the Nacra 15 are very light crews. Except that in the Nacra 17, you have to weigh at least 140 kg”, we are told in detail within the CEM.

Develop also the match racing

Which, let us recall, is a Pôle Espoir and Pôle France Voile whose aim is to train young people so that they can then move on to an Olympic series, therefore in Nacra 17. A category which is in mixed doubles and requires a daily presence of two people, many of whom are pursuing higher education, but not always in the same place…

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“The Waszp is a 100% foil dinghy and the foil is the future of sailing. It allows you to free yourself from crew issues. In Nacra 15, there was also a lack of confrontation. In Waszp, it is extremely attractive because you have lots of competitions, including at the international level, all year round”, justifies Camille El Bèze.

The seven young people from the Pôle Espoir will have twelve days of competitive training and will be introduced to match racing (regattas). “Once a month with the DIO (Inshore Occitanie system) set up by the sailing league, they will work in crews of three on Eliots on everything related to racing rules, tactics, strategy on America's Cup formats”, explains the director of sports projects at the CEM.

A foiling dinghy soon to be an Olympic support

A development that the structure considers necessary and which corresponds to the philosophy that it has always advocated. “We will serve as a bit of a laboratory, perhaps for others. In any case, we will take our destiny in May. We are trying to create emulation and dynamics in the Mediterranean.” And proof that this is not an idea that suddenly appears, the Mediterranean Training Center has in its ranks Hippolyte Gruet, world leader in Waszp but also Leo Maurin who is getting his coaching diplomas and will supervise the Pôle Espoir group, while continuing his career at the same time.

The structure will also host the EuroCup in October 2025 after hosting the 2024 French championships. With a strong conviction “that a series of foiling dinghies will one day be at the Olympic Games, it doesn't seem completely absurd. I even think not too long ago”, believes Camille El Bèze.

It's in the direction of history and with the Waszp, the CEM will have trained those who will ride on this future Olympic support.

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