Youth sailing event in Ajaccio Gulf

The youth sailing event will take place in the Ajaccio Gulf at the end of the month. Organized by the Société Nautique d'Ajaccio (SNA), the event is part of the O'pen Skiff Tour and will bring together about sixty young sailors from Corsica and the mainland.

Event part of national ranking

This second event of the 2026-2027 season will count for the national ranking of the discipline. However, it is not qualifying: participants do not need to have obtained a selection to start.

Requirements for participation

"It is necessary to have some experience in sailing and to have a minimum technical level," says Christophe Dumoulin, base chief at the SNA. The competitors will sail in an O'pen Skiff, a modern single-handed dinghy, fast and "very low in the water," which offers, according to him, "nice gliding sensations."

Participants from across France

The fleet should gather the best sailors in the category. Between 25 and 30 young sailors will come from Corsican clubs; the others will travel from different regions of the mainland, including Hauts-de-France, Normandy, Brittany, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Nice region, and Île-de-France.

Training days before the event

Ahead of the event, several training days are planned, especially to allow Corsican youth to prepare for their participation. Three days of official races will take place starting on October 27.

Event schedule and weather

The event will begin on Tuesday, October 27, with a "warm-up" day: registration confirmation starting at 9 a.m., training from 11 a.m., and preparatory races at 1:30 p.m. The official races will take place on Wednesday, October 28, Thursday, October 29, and Friday, October 30.

Racing area and public access

The racing area will be determined based on the weather conditions, off Saint-François and the Trottel. "The weather should improve, but the wind may not be very strong. We will adapt," says Christophe Dumoulin. From the shore, the public will be able to follow the races from several sectors of the coast.

Prize-giving and local impact

The prize-giving ceremony is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m., within the premises of the SNA. To advance island sailing, the event aims to strengthen exchanges between Corsican and mainland clubs and contribute to the progress of young island sailors.

Eco-friendly approach

The SNA also wants to use this organization to consolidate local skills and pool the resources needed to host a national competition. Volunteers, professionals, clubs, federal authorities, and local partners will be mobilized. The organizers also announced an eco-responsible approach, with attention to waste reduction, limiting the impact of the event, and raising awareness among participants about the marine environment.

Société Nautique d'Ajaccio's history

Founded in 1867, the Société Nautique d'Ajaccio is celebrating its 159th anniversary this year. Presented as the third oldest nautical club in France and the oldest in Corsica, it develops sporting, educational, and training activities throughout the year.

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