Les Ailes de Saint-Tropez 2024: Downwind Madness in SUP Race and SUP Foil! An Interview with Race Director Fred Bonnef

From October 18 to 21, Les Ailes de Saint-Tropez (LAST) returns for a second special Downwind edition in the legendary bay of Saint-Tropez. After a successful first edition in 2023, this multi-sport event aims to become a must-attend for SUP race and SUP foil enthusiasts, especially those passionate about downwind. This year, the competition expands with a specific waiting period for SUP foil from October 18 to 21, and for SUP Race on October 19 and 20. Fred Bonnef, the race director, gives us an inside look at the event’s organization and shares his ambition to offer participants exceptional races to best welcome the world’s top riders. To honor this high-level field, Fred is focusing on optimal conditions to launch major downwinds of 30 to 40 km for foilers, and 12 to 20 km for racers, all while keeping friendliness and safety at the heart of the event.

Hello Fred! The multi-sport event LAST is back this year after a successful first edition in 2023. What’s your takeaway from that first edition?

Hello TotalSUP, LAST 2023, for many different reasons, came together quite last minute. Despite that, we managed to host a great event with exciting races, favorable conditions, top names, and excellent athletes in both SUP Race and SUP foil. But most importantly, we received great feedback from participants, who not only enjoyed the competition itself but also appreciated the friendly atmosphere, the event’s warm welcome, and the beauty of the location. This year, we’ve had more time to prepare compared to 2023, and our ambition is to establish Les Ailes de Saint-Tropez as an essential event in the SUP and SUP foil calendar.

Fred Bonnef, race director

This year, there’s a four-day waiting period for SUP foil from October 18 to 21. How many rounds are you planning to run if conditions allow?

Our primary goal is to run a major 30 to 40 km round if conditions permit. This requires a lot of logistics and resources, so this will be our main focus for this year. If the conditions don’t allow for such a long distance, we could switch to two shorter rounds over one or two days. The exact schedule will be announced in the week leading up to the event. Both organizers and riders will adapt to the conditions.

And for SUP downwind, the competition will take place on October 19 and 20. Can riders participate in both SUP and SUP foil, or will the events overlap?

Yes, they can participate in both events, and no, they won’t overlap. In fact, we might see some surprises, with some SUP foilers returning to SUP racing… SUP race and SUP foil are two great complementary sports, and many watermen and women still enjoy both disciplines, but wouldn’t necessarily travel for just one. So the idea is to create a positive dynamic and push everyone to do their best.

During these waiting periods, what would be the ideal conditions to launch the competition, for both SUP and SUP foil?

Honestly, I’d love to see some truly beautiful downwind conditions, with sunshine, if that’s not asking too much, haha. We have some serious athletes registered, some coming from very far, and I’d love for them to experience the real potential of the area. But we’re preparing for all eventualities, with safety always at the forefront.

For the SUP foil race, a 30 to 40 km run is planned. What are the different options you’re considering?

We have many different courses in mind, but the ideal scenario would be a Cannes (Îles de Lérins) to Saint-Tropez run with an easterly wind, or an Îles d’Hyères to Saint-Tropez run with a westerly wind.

And for SUP downwind, can you tell us about the distances and courses you’re considering?

For SUP downwind, we’re looking at distances between 12 and 20 kilometers depending on conditions. We’ll be mostly within the bay of Saint-Tropez and the surrounding areas. Last year’s Pampelonne to Baie des Canoubiers course was fantastic, but once again, the weather will dictate, and we’ll have to adapt.

You teased us with the presence of some of the best international SUP and SUP foil athletes. Can you reveal some names?

Starting with the women: our two world champions Olivia Piana and Mélanie Lafenetre will be there. I’m still in discussions with other well-known competitors, so stay tuned for some surprises 😉.

As for the men, there will be some great surprises in SUP race, like Ludovic Teulade. But it’s in SUP foil where the confirmed participants and nationalities are particularly impressive so far: to name just a few, we have the Hawaiians Jack Ho, Eric Stermann, Simeón Ke palama, Hobey Moss, the Australians Kai Thompson and Adrian Destang, the Puerto Rican Giovanni De la Rosa, the Portuguese Tiago Campos, the New Caledonian Clement Colmas, the Réunionnais Noe Cantaloube, and the Guadeloupeans Melvin Mouret and Romuald Mamadou… And many more who are expected to join last-minute from the Crozon Foil Festival the week before!

The French mainlanders will have something to say, especially Tom Constant, who’s one of the favorites, as well as Greg Closier, Yann Quilfen, Yoann Cornelis, Lilian Jupet, Romain Simonnot… I also have a few lesser-known names in mind who could join the lead group, particularly from the “med gliders” community… The competition will be fierce, though it’s primarily a great challenge and a fantastic community!

I’ll leave you with the final word: why should no one miss this event?

Downwind is a passion for many and deserves to be highlighted. Our organizing team is putting all our heart into giving competitors the most beautiful courses, never forgetting safety, and at the same time, we want to offer participants a unique and friendly experience, both on and off the water.

Thank you so much, Fred, for your answers. We’re looking forward to LAST 2024! Discover the rules and race info below:

More about Les Ailes de Saint-Tropez :
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