Five African nations earn Paris 2024 Olympic qualification in Egypt

The eyes of an entire continent were on Soma Bay in Hurghada, Egypt, from 1-8 December as sailors from across Africa converged for the chance to claim a place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Seven places were on offer in the Men’s and Women’s Dinghy, Men’s and Women’s Kite and Men’s Windsurfing, with ILCA 6, ILCA 7, IKA Formula Kite, and iQFOiL all being sailed.

Wind conditions proved challenging with a light breeze throughout forcing the scheduled medal series for the Kite and Windsurfing events to be abandoned. Instead, a marathon race in the Windsurfing allowed the competitors to show a different range of board skills.

Egyptian Sailing Federation president Albassel Hassan said, “The growth of sailing across Africa has been evident in the quality of competition at Soma Bay. I want to thank everyone involved in the delivery of the African Continental Qualifier, and the Egyptian government for supporting an event which has provided a platform for African athletes to achieve their dreams of representing their countries at the Olympic Games.”

Women’s Dinghy – ILCA 6

The two Women’s Dinghy places went to Egypt and Mozambique after excellent performances by Khouloud Mansy (EGY) and Deizy Justino Nhaquile (MOZ). Mansy dominated, winning six of the ten races and posting another two second placed finished to finish 20 points ahead of Nhaquile, who herself finished in the top three six times, including winning two races.

Both Mansy and Nhaquile had been part of World Sailing’s Emerging Nations Program in the build up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In 2019, at the African Championships in Algeria, Nhaquile became the first sailor from Mozambique to qualify for the Olympic Games while Mansy came second and guaranteed a first ILCA 6 sailor for Egypt.

Men’s Dinghy – ILCA 7

Egypt also enjoyed success in the ILCA 7 Dinghy as Aly Badawy stormed to victory with ease. After winning the first three races, he recovered from a shaky fourth to never finish outside of the top three in the remaining six races. In total he won seven of the ten and finished 26 points ahead of Flipe Francisco Andre of Angola, who also secured Olympic qualification courtesy of a victory in the medal race to stay ahead of Abdelkhalek Boussouar of Algeria in third by just three points.

Women’s Kite – Formula Kite

Julie Solange Paturau of Mauritius secured the Olympic spot for her nation in the Women’s Kite by completing all 15 rounds and gaining valuable experience. Sailing unopposed, qualification may have been a formality but the opportunity to sail with such high stakes attached will be crucial for her ongoing development in the class.

Men’s Kite – Formula Kite

This achievement was matched in the Men’s Kite event with Jean Lauri Fenouillot De Falbaire of Mauritius also securing Olympic qualification. Facing off head-to-head with Tunisia’s Ben Ali Youssef, De Falbaire won all 16 rounds to ensure Mauritius will have two representatives in the Olympic Kite Event in 2024.

Men’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL

Competition in the Men’s Windsurfing was especially fierce with just one spot on offer for the Olympic Games. Algeria’s Rami Boudrouma established his dominance of the fleet in round five and never looked back as he finished with eight victories from 15 races and a nine-point lead over compatriot Ahmed Ramzi Boudjatit to confirm Algeria’s place at the Olympic Games.

Women’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL

Despite not carrying an Olympic place, the Women’s Windsurfing event was further evidence of Algeria’s expertise in the iQFOiL competition. Nadjet Amina Berrichi won 11 of the 13 races to finish well ahead of teammate Katia Belabbas. The pair showed great skill throughout and will be ones to watch in the class over the years to come.

Paris 2024 Olympic qualification place subject to confirmation of nationality and confirmation from World Sailing.