Organized a few days after the end of the 53rd edition of the French Olympic Week in Hyères -TPM, the Virtual SOF was a real popular success among the inshore e-sailors community. No less than 4,912 players took up the challenge on the virtual water of Hyères, Toulon Provence Méditerranée. World Sailing and the French Sailing Federation had largely endowed this virtual event.
Based on a 72-hour "Blue" challenge, divided into 3 parts in order to change supports (Laser, Nacra17 and 49er), the Virtual SOF offered 3 prizes:
- 3 qualifying places for the play-offs of the E-sailing world championships, for the podium of the general ranking,
- 10 places offered for the 54th edition of the French Olympic Week in Hyères - TPM, to the first 10 sailors who participated in the 53rd French Olympic Week in Hyères - TPM.
With 1,899 races sailed during the 72 hours, and an average of 4.64 races per player and 18.86 races for the Top 50, it is the young Alexandre Kowalski who makes the trifecta. He qualifies directly for the play-offs of the world championship, for the semi-finals of the French championship and will be offered his registration to the 54th French Olympic Week of Hyères-Toulon Provence Méditerranée, who he participated last April in ILCA 7.
A great victory for this young French against a strong international competition since the Top 10 is composed of 7 different nations. (3 French, 2 Spanish, 1 Japanese, 1 English, 1 Greek, 1 Danish and 1 Portuguese). With a score of 100 points in 9 races (editor's note: It took him 9 races to succeed in chaining 8 victorious races in a row), Alexandre left little chance to the competition.
Alexandre Kowalski:
"I am very happy to have won the virtual SOF, especially after having participated in it in ILCA 7. There is still work to do before winning it "in real life". The SOF was demanding, many players scored 100 points so there was little room for error. My goal this year in e-sailing is to reach the semi-finals of the world championship and the French final. In the meantime, there will be some great virtual matches, especially on the Sail GP."