The Lucas Rual-Émile Amoros duo, member of the French Olympic sailing team, was crowned European champion in 49er in Vilamoura in Portugal, nine months before the 2024 Paris Olympics, the French Sailing Federation announced on Monday .
The French crew won gold in the men's double dinghy (49er) ahead of the Poles (2nd) after a shortened format, the crews having only competed five days of regattas. The finals initially scheduled for Monday were canceled due to lack of wind and the ranking therefore remained frozen.
“Mentally we had to be present and we showed that we were there. It's not really a surprise, because we worked very hard for this championship. It was indeed a medal that we came here to get. There are obviously a lot of emotions to see the work accomplished,” rejoiced Émile Amoros.
Among the women (49er FX), Sarah Steyaert and Charline Picon finished 6th just a few points from the podium in an event won by the Norwegians.