D-1 for the 53rd World Military Sailing Championship in Brest
BREST (FRA) – For the third time in its history, the French Navy is hosting the World Military Sailing Championship in Brest. Canada, Spain, Denmark, Greece, USA, Poland and of course France, all the delegations delegations present at this WMC Sailing have all arrived in Brest. Tonight, they will all attend the Opening Ceremony and tomorrow, from 10 am, the competition starts at the Moulin Blanc. Within the French team, they are not hiding their impatience to find Jean-Baptiste Bernaz. The Petty Officer 1st class has just been crowned Laser World Champion in Mexico. As soon as he arrives in France, "JBB" will embark with his teammates to defend the colors of France again.
"As soon as I won the World Championship in Mexico, I'm on a plane to Brest to take part in the World Military Championship! A great crew is waiting for me for a J80 regatta. It's a first for me to participate but it's a great championship! Winning two world championship titles in two weeks would be exceptional!” declared a delighted Jean-Baptiste. He is indeed at the head of a high level team that will discover itself in the next few days. On board, two men are J80 specialists. Pierre Laouenan has just won the Grand Prix de l'Ecole Navale while Vincent Guillarm took second place alongside Simon Moriceau. Marie Riou from Brest is a talented all-rounder. She has been four times catamaran world champion (Nacra 17) and was one of the first women to win the Volvo Ocean Race.
Sporting fairness
In order to guarantee a perfect sporting fairness, the world championship takes place on boats provided by the organization - J80s - and on a "match racing" format where each country face its opponents one by one during a first qualification phase. At the end of the four days of confrontation, where more than 36 starts will be launched, the best placed will qualify for the final phases, contested on Saturday, June 4. The finals will designate Italy's successor as the world military sailing champion.
This world championship, organized by the Navy in Brest, is also a show offered to the Brest public. Spectators can follow the competition from the lookout of the Moulin Blanc polder, where animations are planned.
Meet Jean-Baptiste Bernaz
Jean-Baptiste Bernaz, helmsman for the French team, made history this weekend by becoming the first French Laser world champion. Just arrived from Mexico, he embarked with the other members of the French Military team. It will be possible to meet him at the Moulin Blanc from Tuesday morning.
Optimal weather
For these four days of competition, the weather looks ideal with a light wind at the beginning of the week which will become more and more consistent. The finals, organized on Saturday, are expected to be very strong with gusts of up to 25 knots.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony will take place this evening from 7:00 pm at the Centre d'Instruction Naval (Avenue de l'Ecole Navale in Brest), in the presence of Rear Admiral Xavier Tourneux and Jean-Luc Dénecheau, President of the FFVoile.
Press Kit
Dowload the press kit of the 53rd WMC Sailing here !
(Source: Sillages Communications & French Delegation to CISM)
