ACVL’s activities can be summed up in four main points in this very positive first part of the season: a change of financial model, record attendance at sailing camps, excellent 29er results and the restart of the ILCA series.
Text: Jean-Guy Python
At the time of the mid-term review, Thierry Verhulst is pleased with the new administrative structure: “The first highlight of this year is the change of financial model. Up until now, we’ve operated on the subsidies we received from Swiss Sailing and the Fonds du sport vaudois. Now, Swiss Sailing subsidies are injected directly into the clubs. We had a test year invoicing the clubs directly, and the system worked very well,” explains Thierry.
Growing success for sailing camps
The ACVL sailing camps were also very popular this year. With record registrations of over 90 youngsters per session, both at Easter and in the summer, these camps were a real success. Whether in Mauguio (near La Grande-Motte) or on Lake Monteynard, the young participants had a great time in Optimists, Nacra 15s, ILCAs and 29ers. The autumn session will take place in Bandol.
Great results in Weymouth
For two years now, the focus has been firmly on the 29er series, with a full winter training program to prepare for participation in the World and European Championships. “The result: at the world championships in Weymouth in July, ACVL crews came out on top. And it was a team from Pully, Stach Vleeshouwers and Pierre Jully, who finished 23rd out of over 200 crews. This represents the best Swiss performance since the start of the series,” says Thierry Verhulst.
In the 29er class, there’s a real long-term perspective, thanks to the work of GaĂ«l le Mauguen (Head-coach 29er), who has done a remarkable job in taking ACVL crews to the top of the table. Well done to him! In fact, it was two crews from the ACVL training program who topped the Swiss 29er championship at the beginning of September: the pair Stach Vleeshouwers and Pierre Jully on the first step of the podium, and Simon and Mathieu Mille (Club Nautique Morgiens) on the second.