International Finn Week in Cannes 2024 - 70 competitors from 10 nations expected
by Jean François 9 Feb 2024 23:08 PST
13-16 February 2024
International Finn Week © Jehan Lerin
From 13 to 16 February, the Cannes Yacht Club is organising the famous International Finn Week. More than 70 competitors will race in the harbour of Cannes, with an exceptional line-up.
The year 2024 is off to a flying start for the Yacht Club de Cannes, which welcomes the international elite of the former Olympic solitaire who has seen sailing legends such as Pol Elvström, Russell Coutts, Ben Ainslie, Giles Scott... and France's Serge Maury, Olympic champion in Munich, and Philippe Presti, two-time world champion.
Designed by the Swede Rickard Starbyen 75 years ago, this 4.50-metre catboat was part of the Olympic series from 1952 in Helsinki until 2020 in Tokyo. It has evolved over the years, modernizing and adopting a carbon mast and composite sails. In vogue, it attracts many young and old sailors, who want to discover or rediscover the sensations of high-level racing in contact, without the pangs of having to find a teammate.
Winner in 2022 and 2023, current world number one in front of 1053 competitors from 37 nations, vice-champion of Europe last year, the Rochelais Laurent Haÿ puts his title on the line during Finn's biggest event held in France.
Jean-François Cutugno, President of the Yacht Club de Cannes, said: "This International Week not only kicks off our light sailing regatta season, but is all the more important and popular as the Finn European Championship will take place here in Cannes from 21 to 25 October. We are expecting 150 boats!"
Sailors who knew Ski Yachting in the 80s, and there are many, should remember some memories and find their bearings.
"Unfortunately, we will not be able to welcome the competitors on the club's premises, as it is in the middle of beautification work," explains Jean-François Cutugno. "The Finns will therefore be parked on the beach as in the days of Ski Yachting, and will find their car park refurbished for the European Championships."
Finally, in this Olympic year, the Cannes Yacht Club will also organise the 470 European Championships from 4 to 12 May, with no doubt all the contenders for a podium in Marseille for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Three-time junior world champions, Matisse Pacaud and Lucie de Gennes of the Yacht Club de Cannes, will be keen to shine at home.