Thomas Coville will be the ambassador of the Bol d'Or Mirabaud 2023

The 84th edition of the iconic regatta held on Lake Geneva promises to be both athletic and festive. With one month to go before the start of the race, the organizers are expecting to gather more than 500 boats and to welcome a large audience at the Société Nautique de Genève, open to the public for the week-end.

The start of the 84th edition of the Bol d'Or Mirabaud will be given in just over a month off the Société Nautique de Genève. The world's most important regatta held on a lake will once again be spectacular, with fierce competition for some sailors and more pleasant sailing for others, depending on the crews' various objectives.

The offshore sailor Thomas Coville, who in 2016 broke the crewed round-the-world sailing record in 49 days (since beaten by IDEC Sport, skippered by Francis Joyon) will be the ambassador of this 84th edition, in which he will participate on board the TF 35 Ylliam.

Thomas Coville, Sodebo Ultim 3 skipper : "Sailing between the mountains, looking up and crossing the summits with your eyes, getting closer to a nature that moves you in a way that few other places in the world do; New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere or maybe somewhere in Norway. You back it up with a competition where some of the most fabulous boats on the planet meet, flying or not, equipped by the world's top sailors, but also and above all by amateurs who are looking for the Bise, the Vaudaire, the Joran, the Bornan... and who love their lake and their mountains above all. This is what I want to share by coming to the Bol d'Or 2023, far from the open sea or the swell."

Thomas Coville will compete in the Bol d'Or Mirabaud as a racer, but he will also be attending the key moments of the event, including the press conference as well as the opening and prize-giving ceremonies at the SNG.

"The Bol d'Or Mirabaud is delighted to welcome Thomas Coville as the special guest of the event," says Yann Petremand, President of the organising Committee. "A skilled sailor with an exceptional track record, including several solo records, Thomas is one of the most eclectic skippers of his generation. We are looking forward to his participation in the 84th edition of the regatta!"

The race Village will be open to the public from Friday June 9 at noon until Sunday evening. It will host numerous stands and promises to be friendly and lively. It will also offer a relaxing area on the waterfront with an amazing view of the port and the "Jet d'eau". Three free concerts are scheduled, while food trucks and other animations will guarantee a real race village atmosphere. Access will be free and open to everyone. The organizers are looking forward to welcoming the public, families, friends, lake lovers and the public at the heart of the Bol d'Or Mirabaud Village.

The sporting stakes of this 84th edition are high in all classes. The TF 35 foiling catamarans, strong favorites in the overall ranking, are obviously hoping to reinforce their leadership after two years marked by very light winds that were not favorable to them.

Christian Wahl, winner of the 2022 edition aboard a Decision 35, will defend his title with his Double You Team in collaboration with the Mirabaud Sailing Squad: three young female sailors and Olympic medallists coached by Shirley Robertson get to know one another and learn to perform as a team with a view to taking part in the BOM2023 with the Double You Team. This adventure fully reflects the values of passion, entrepreneurship and team spirit dear to the Mirabaud Group.

The fight for the Bol de Vermeil (monohulls line honours) will also be closely watched, particularly the duel between the Hungarian Libera Raffica and Jean Psarofaghis' Psaros 40, modified this winter. A duel possibly arbitrated by some foiling monos developed in the wake of the technological evolutions of the America's Cup. Also to be followed, the regatta between the Psaros 33, Luthi 1090 and other F10s, without forgetting the one-design Surprises, Grand Surprises and all the TFC classes. As every year, the competition will be fierce in all classes!