The final day of the 56th French Olympic Week in Hyères delivered action-packed Medal Races for the skiff and foiling catamaran fleets, under a steady 10–12 knot easterly and lively waves. After a week that tested sailors across every weather condition — including a fierce Mistral — it was the USA, Belgium, and Great Britain who shined brightest in the 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 classes.
49er: GOLD for USA’s Nevin Snow & Ian MacDiarmid
1st – Nevin Snow & Ian MacDiarmid (USA) – 101 points
2nd – Richard Schultheis & Fabian Rieger (GER) – 104
3rd – Hernando Umpierre & Fernando Diz (URU) – 108
26 April, 2025
The USA’s Nevin Snow & Ian MacDiarmid produced a calm and calculated Medal Race to capture gold. Entering the day trailing Uruguay’s Hernando Umpierre & Fernando Diz by just three points, the Americans stayed composed as the Uruguayan team faltered, finishing last in the race. Germany’s Schultheis and Rieger pushed hard but ultimately couldn’t catch the Americans, who sealed the win with steady, patient sailing.
Nevin Snow:
“Amazing! To win on the last race is something special. We clearly like France! You’re balancing between the Germans and the Uruguayans, and once we got ahead of Uruguay, it was about staying patient and taking our moments. It’s a lot harder to win it back if you lose it, so we just kept hammering!”
This victory continues the USA’s strong momentum in skiff sailing, giving American fans hope for a strong showing as the Los Angeles 2028 cycle begins.
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49erFX: GOLD for Belgium’s Isaura Maenhaut & Anouk Geurts
1st – Isaura Maenhaut & Anouk Geurts (BEL) – 149 points
2nd – Paris Henken & Helena Scutt (USA) – 151
3rd – Georgia Lewin-LaFrance & Antonia Lewin-LaFrance (CAN) – 156
26 April, 2025
In one of the most heart-pounding Medal Races of the day, Belgium’s Isaura Maenhaut & Anouk Geerts barely clung to their gold medal despite a shaky start and a second-to-last finish.
The USA’s Paris Henken & Helena Scutt had a superb race, charging from fourth overall to almost snatch gold. If tiny margins had gone differently, the USA could have claimed a historic double victory in the skiffs.
Isaura Maenhaut (BEL):
“We didn’t know we had won until our coach told us after the finish. It was super stressful, but we managed to put enough boats behind us!”
The chaotic, high-scoring regatta tested the teams across every condition, making every point critical.
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Nacra 17: GOLD for Great Britain after a Fightback
1st – John Gimson & Anna Burnett (GBR) – 49 points
2nd – Gianluigi Ugolini & Maria Giubilei (ITA) – 52
3rd – Willemijn Offerman & Scipio Houtman (NED) – 60
26 April, 2025
Britain’s John Gimson & Anna Burnett secured their second Sailing Grand Slam win of the month after a gritty comeback in the Medal Race. Starting with a seven-point lead, they struggled off the line and had to claw their way back from seventh to third to lock in the overall title.
John Gimson (GBR):
“It was a really hard race. Two boats rolled us off the line and we had to fight back. These boats are so fast and fun to race, it’s just pure adrenaline.”
The British pair now shift focus to the Nacra 17 European Championship in June, followed by the World Championship in October.
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A Perfect Test in Hyères
The 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 fleets all faced a full range of Mediterranean conditions — from calm, tactical days to heavy-air Mistral survival — showcasing the rising talents and resilience of a new generation on the road to LA 2028.
With the USA’s strong performance in both skiff classes, and Great Britain reaffirming dominance in Nacra 17, the Olympic cycle is off to an exciting start.
See you next year for the 57th French Olympic Week, April 18–25, 2026!
