Following the ETF26 European Championship in Campione del Garda, the K-Challenge Akademy crews returned to Lake Garda for Foiling Week, one of the world's leading events dedicated to foiling sailing.
Over four days of racing, the Akademy's two crews competed against some of the strongest teams on the ETF26 circuit in demanding conditions, providing another valuable opportunity to accelerate their development on one of the most technical foiling platforms in modern sailing.
The final standings, 6th for K-Challenge White and 7th for K-Challenge Blue, do not yet reflect the Akademy's sporting ambitions, but they don't tell the full story of the week either. Race after race, both crews improved their boat handling, starting performance, flight control and onboard communication, successfully achieving the objectives set ahead of the event.
Coach Julien d'Ortoli was clear about what mattered. "This has been a very encouraging week. The results are not what we will remember. What matters most is the progress we made. Our starts improved significantly, the crews gained confidence on the boat, and their flight performance, both upwind and downwind, became increasingly consistent. We leave with valuable lessons and real momentum for the rest of the season."
K-Challenge Blue skipper Marin Micoulot echoed that view. "We learned a tremendous amount throughout Foiling Week. Our understanding of the boat continues to improve, our teamwork is becoming more fluid, and we managed to raise our level race after race. The results are not yet where we want them to be, but we leave with invaluable experience for the remainder of the season."
For the K-Challenge White all-female crew, onboard communication was a key focus throughout the regatta. Akademy athlete Audrey Ogereau summed up the week: "One of our main objectives was to improve our onboard communication, and that was undoubtedly one of the biggest positives of the week. We gained confidence throughout the racing, delivered some strong performances and developed real team chemistry. We leave Malcesine as a stronger crew and already looking forward to the next event."
Away from Lake Garda, several Akademy members were competing at other major international events. In Marstrand, Sweden, Pauline Courtois, who joined the Akademy this season, claimed victory at the GKSS Match Cup Sweden, a stage of the World Match Racing Tour. Racing alongside Maëlenn Lemaître, recently selected for La Roche Posay Racing Team, the French Challenger for the next America's Cup led by K-Challenge, Pauline and her crew defeated Sweden's Johanna Bergqvist Carlsson 3-1 in the final to lift the trophy.
Fellow Akademy athlete Ange Delerce also performed strongly in Marstrand. After reaching the semi-finals, he and his crew finished fourth overall, narrowly missing the podium after the petit final against Sweden's Johnie Berntsson.
The Akademy's ETF26 crews return to competition in early August in Lorient, where they will look to build on the progress made in Malcesine.
