Nicolas, tell us about yourself and your background.
I'm currently in charge of the Equipe de France Jeune féminine windsurfing project, and I'm based in Marseille where the Pôle France Olympique is located, which is the base for preparing the French sailing team for the 2024 Olympics.
I was a member of the French Olympic windsurfing team from 1997 to 2008, and took part in three Olympic preparations for Athens, Sydney and Beijing. I represented France at European and world championships, where I won several podiums and a world title. My successes also include victory at the Mediterranean Games in 2005.
After my competitive career in Olympic windsurfing came to an end, I continued to ride other windsurfing boards in waves, freeride and raceboard. The arrival of windfoil was a significant transition for me, and I decided to devote myself to this discipline, first as a competitor, and now as a trainer to share my experience and knowledge with the new generation.
It's an exciting job because there are always new challenges to help athletes progress, especially female athletes. The international level is constantly rising, and the competition is fierce to keep France at the forefront. The arrival of the IQFOIL as an Olympic board demands technical and physical qualities, as well as commitment. You need to be lucid, reactive and precise in the game of regatta, because tactical situations come and go very quickly.
What's your favourite discipline?
I started sailing with an optimist, then windsurfing as a self-taught sailor, as I never took any lessons. Sailing was a real escape for me as a teenager, and I put a lot of effort into it. The sea offers a unique space of freedom where there are "no red lights or traffic jams". Add to that the sensations you can get, and I think it's crazy! The board has become a kind of extension of myself on the water...
Waves are still my favorite discipline, and I love surfing and jumping... The equipment is constantly becoming more accessible and fun to use. I'm also a big regatta fan, and the Olympic board, Raceboard and Windfoil have enabled me to compete on many waters around the world.
What I like about windsurfing is the diversity of supports. I can enjoy myself on anything that floats. For example, one year in Costa Brava, I spent an hour of fun sailing a Hybrid raceboard and a Dacron sail without a harness in a wind of over 20 knots, the old-fashioned way! It's a great memory.
What do you think of foiling as an Olympic sport? ?
The arrival of the foil as an Olympic support represents a major evolution in the world of windsurfing, and I was lucky enough to help promote Starboard's IQfoil during its bid for the Paris 2024 Olympics. It is therefore this board that is the official board for the 2024 Olympic Games.
The IQfoil is a well-designed board that meets the requirements of Olympic regattas, but is also suitable for good-level windsurfers. It is capable of sailing in a wide range of wind conditions, from 7 to 30 knots, and its solidity makes it a board that is not very prone to breakage, making it an ideal choice for the Olympic Games.
Race formats have also evolved with the introduction of the foil, with windward/leeward courses, a marathon and also cross-track starts launched at over 50 km/h, adding a spectacular aspect inspired by America's Cup races. Safety is therefore a major issue, with the need to wear a helmet and a crash vest to minimize risks. It's crucial to encourage all riders, whatever their level, to be equipped.
There are still a number of challenges to be met, particularly in terms of enhancing and promoting our sport. There is a lack of means of communication and live coverage of races, which can limit the visibility of this exciting sport. This medium also requires a certain stature to use it optimally, which has led to a change in the physical expectations of athletes, but versatility remains paramount for those aiming for gold at the Olympics this summer.
As far as the specifics of the equipment are concerned, the boys use 9m² sails while the girls use 8m² sails, and after four years of research and development, continuous adjustments are being made to improve the equipment. There are plans to lower the sail area for the 2028 Olympics to 8m² for boys and 7.3 m² for girls. The foil and float are the same for men and women.
Sailing a foil gives you a unique sensation, like being on a "magic carpet". Speed is omnipresent, and moving across the water with such efficiency is unheard of. This contrasts with archimedean boards such as the raceboard, which remains interesting because of its versatility and ability to move around the water without constraint, even in light winds, and remains an excellent support for racing.
How do you prepare for the Olympics ?
Preparing an athlete for the Olympics is a lengthy process, spanning four years, but in fact begins long before that, as the athlete needs to mature technically, physically and mentally, and gain experience in competition. Each nation must select itself through the performance of its athletes in major international events, and then the nations select their representatives. Athlete selection is a long and demanding process.
Right now, we're in the final phase of preparation for the selected French teams. Nicolas Goyard for the men and Hélène Noesmen for the women. This "final phase" is dedicated in particular to testing the equipment that will be used at the Olympics. They can choose between four foils, four masts and four sails to select the items that suit them best, and the float and boom will be supplied just before the event.
In addition to this test work, there's the physical and technical preparation and the latest adaptations to the Marseilles race course, as well as the mental preparation to anticipate as much as possible the different scenarios that may arise during the competition this summer. We have a fine French team, which has every chance of winning medals. What's more, we're at home!
Training women and girls makes a difference ?
For me, the motivating factor in training women is that they don't set themselves any boundaries compared to men. Women are capable of doing just as well, or even better, in all areas of performance. Of course, men are more powerful and often faster, but the idea is there. The possibilities for progression are immense for the girls I train. TodayToday, research is beginning to be carried out in the field of women's sport, which opens up great possibilities for progress and individualization of training and, more generally, performance.
We're in a catch-up phase when it comes to the place of women in sport and in society in general. Sport is often ahead of the game when it comes to social issues, and gender parity in terms of athletes at the Paris Olympic Games has finally been achieved, as in Olympic sailing. This reflects the evolution, and the catching-up, that is underway with regard to the place of women in sport. But there's still a long way to go! Hormonal cycles, for example, are often perceived as an obstacle to training and performance, but can actually be a strength if understood and used correctly.
How about the Raceboard World Championships in Cannes in 2025? ?
I'm thinking about it! The opportunity is all the more interesting as it's close to where I grew up and learned to sail (Fréjus). Depending on the dates, I'll launch the project. It's been a while since I've sailed a raceboard, so I'll have to see if I still know how to do it and also re-equip myself!
What qualities are important for raceboarding ?
The qualities required for raceboarding are varied:
- Understanding the wind is essential. Being able to feel and interpret wind changes on the water is crucial to adjusting your trajectory and optimizing your speed. This requires practical experience and sensitivity developed through many hours on the water.
- Raceboarding requires technical versatility to sail in a variety of wind conditions. Whether in strong or light winds, and on all points of sail from upwind to downwind, it's essential to adapt quickly and efficiently. This technical versatility is a major asset for performance.
- You need to be in good physical condition, as pumping is allowed!
The raceboard is a very versatile board, making it ideal for regattas. Its ratio of maneuvering loss to speed is quite good. This means that when maneuvering, speed losses are minimal, opening up tactical possibilities for effectively exploiting the wind.
Finally, do you have any advice for someone who wants to take up windsurfing? ?
My tips for starting windsurfing are :
- Having the right equipment. Today, it's possible to buy second-hand equipment on a budget. This sport has become accessible with the arrival of wide, stable boards. You don't need the latest equipment to have a great time - second-hand equipment is all you need!
- Understand the wind. Don't go against it, play with it. You have to use the wind to get the best out of it.
- Hang in there! because the sensations and the technique come gradually and then open up a huge range of possibilities, harness sailing, planning, foiling... and an immense playground.
- Don't be ashamed of starting out! Persevere and don't compare yourself to others. It's essential to trust your senses and make your own path.
