Cedric Van Branteghem, the General Manager of the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (BOIC), proudly unveiled Belgium’s Olympic sailing team recently, set to compete in the 2024 games.
With five boats and eight athletes, this is the largest Belgian sailing contingent to participate in the Olympic Games since their inception. The announcement was made during a press conference in Brussels on Friday.
Leading the delegation is two-time world champion in her discipline, the Ilca 6 (formerly laser radial), and Tokyo Olympic’s fourth-place holder, Emma Plasschaert.
The 30-year-old from Ostend had finished sixth last year at the Scheveningen World Championships in the Netherlands, earning her qualification for these Olympics.
She also won bronze at the world championships earlier this year in Mar del Plata, Argentina.
Team leader Evi Van Acker stated, “We firmly believe in our team, and Plasschaert is in top form. However, we know the Marina in Marseille can be challenging, especially concerning wind conditions. Everything needs to align perfectly for us to achieve success.”
Besides Plasschaert, fellow sailors Anouk Geurts, 23, and Isaura Maenhaut, 25, are targeting a top-eight finish in the skiff class, dreaming of higher ranks after finishing 14th in Tokyo three years ago.
Their hopes are not far-fetched, as the duo recently clinched the European Sailing Championship title in the 49er FX class this May in La Grande Motte, France.
Similarly, William De Smet, who qualified in Ilca 7 after the Scheveningen World Championships, is aiming modestly for a top-10 or a top-eight.
The final two crews consist of Lucas Claeyssens and Eline Verstraelen in the Nacra 17, and Yannick Lefèbvre and Jan Heuninck in the 49er.
They secured their places in last-chance regattas held in late April at Hyères. Despite Heuninck’s foot fracture, the French-speaking pair achieved a remarkable second-place finish.
