NSWIS Sailors to Build Momentum at French Olympic Week

New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) sailors are ready to launch into the next phase of their international season at French Olympic Week. Held in Hyères, in the south of France, the regatta has been a proving ground for over 50 years, known for its strong fleets, challenging conditions, and high-pressure racing.

Following on from their performances at the recent Trofeo Princesa Sofia Regatta in Palma, the Australian team is eager to maintain momentum, build on the lessons and continue laying the foundations for future success.

As part of Australian Sailing’s High Performance framework, athletes are assessed against clear annual benchmarks to determine their individual athlete categorisation within the high performance program, a system designed to drive continuous improvement and reward repeatable performances against the clearly identified performance standards.

“International competition is vital to the growth and development of sailors at every level within the High Performance program,” High Performance Director Iain Brambell said.

“French Olympic Week offers an excellent test for each of the Australian sailors here to build on the learnings from Palma, push their limits, and establish early-season performances that will be crucial for selection into the 2026 Australian Sailing National and Futures Squads.”

Australia is well represented across the fleets in Hyères, with NSWIS sailor Grae Morris set to hit the water among a strong Australian contingent in the iQFOiL class. After an impressive start to the season with two gold medals already in 2025, Morris will be looking to build on that momentum as he returns to Hyères, where he finished with silver last year.

Australia’s Nacra 17 sailors are back in action with four teams on the start line – including NSWIS athletes Archie Gargett, Sarah Hoffman, Brin Liddell, Jake Liddell, Niamh Meehan, and Rhiannan Brown – looking to build on their impressive showing in Spain, where three of the four crews made the Medal Race. They’ll be looking to reinforce their top-ten credentials against another strong fleet.

The 49er fleet will see six Australian teams competing – including NSWIS sailors Otto Henry, Shaun Connor, Harry Price, and Max Paul – as emerging partnerships continue to develop and test themselves on the international stage. Regattas like French Olympic Week provide invaluable opportunities to gain experience under pressure and refine their teamwork against some of the world’s best.

Three Aussie teams will contest the Mixed 470, guided by Performance Pathways Coach Amelia Catt, having successfully transitioned her integral expertise as an Australian 470 elite sailor to high performance coach. Australia’s Mixed 470 teams remain focused on building experience, resilience, and tactical sharpness in a highly competitive international environment.

While the Australian Sailing National ILCA Squads and many top international ILCA sailors have chosen not to compete in Hyères, they have instead turned their attention to preparing for next month’s pinnacle event, the 2025 ILCA World Championships in Qingdao, China (10-17 May).

The national 49erFX squad will also be absent, managing a more back-end heavy season. However, one 49erFX Futures team will proudly represent Australia on the Mediterranean waters this week, continuing their international journey.

For the Australian sailors, French Olympic Week is about continuing to build the skills and resilience needed for long-term success and repeatable podium performances.

Story and Photos: Australian Sailing Team