YOUR GUIDE TO BOL D’OR MIRABAUD 2018
by Chené Koscielny
(All images courtesy of Bol D’OR)
This weekend Lake Geneva will come alive with hundreds of colourful and white sailing boats dotted across the waters and taking part in the world’s most important inland regatta.
Started in 1939, the boat race welcomes mono-hulls and multihulls each year on Lake Geneva, starting in Geneva.
More than 500 boats will take part in this 123 kilometre (66,5 nautical miles) course from Geneva to Le Bouveret and back.
WHEN:
Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 10:00 (start of the race)
WHERE:
The two starting lines are set up in advance by the Société Nautique de Genève, from the left bank to the right bank, offshore from Port Tunnel approximately.
BEST VANTAGE POINTS:
WATCH THE START
The Société Nautique de Genève is open to the public during the entire weekend and welcomes all those wishing to follow the regatta. Watch the sailboats depart at 7:00 in the morning from the north jetty, and follow the race on giant screens installed in the Club-House.
Other good spots from where to see the starts: Vengeron beach if you’re on the right bank, or along the Cologny waterfront promenade, as well as the Pré Byron on the Cologny heights if you’re on the left bank.
FOLLOW THE RACE
To see the boats go by during the race, don’t hesitate to visit the many terraces and promenades along the racecourse. From Bellevue to Montreux, via Nyon, Morges and Lavaux, on the Swiss side, and Saint-Gingolph to Yvoire, via Evian, on the French side. The famous rounding mark at Le Bouveret in the eastern lake can be seen from ashore. The Signal de Bougy also offers an exceptional view of the whole race.
ON THE WATER
If you’d like to watch the Bol d’Or Mirabaud another way, embark on one of the Compagnie Générale de Navigation (www.cgn.ch) passenger lines or cruise boats, with optional onboard dining. We have negotiated special offers for the Bol d’Or Mirabaud spectators. The organisers recommend the following routes to meet the Bol d’Or Mirabaud competitors on the water:
- The Henry Dunant, from Genève-Mont-Blanc (leaving 10:15) or from Genève-Eaux-Vives (leaving 10:24), via Versoix (10:47), Coppet (11:01), Nyon (11:29), Nernier (11:50), Yvoire (11:57), Rolle (12:30), Saint-Prex (13:00), Morges (13:15), Saint-Sulpice (13:32), Lausanne-Ouchy (13:51)
- The Suisse (Belle Epoque Fleet) leaving Le Bouveret (13:25 and 15:25 ) towards Lausanne-Ouchy (15:20 and 18:32)
- The Léman (Line N1) which sails round-trip between Lausanne-Ouchy and Evian-les-Bains at regular intervals all day long (round-trip is about 1:30)
WATCH THE FINISH
Meet at the regatta finish to welcome sailors as they arrive in a festive, friendly atmosphere at the Société Nautique de Genève.
STAY TUNED
During the entire event, you can stay informed of the latest race developments on the official radio station: Radio Lac (Genève – 91.8, Nyon – 93.3, Gland, Lausanne – 95.6, Riviera, Montreux, Vevey, Villeneuve – 95.2) and the official TV station: Léman Bleu.
Visit the LIVE platform during the race; where the race organisers will be publishing regular news, as well as pictures, videos and geo-tracking.
You can also follow the race on their social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/BoldOrMirabaud
Twitter : https://twitter.com/BoldOrMirabaud
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/instabom/
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/videosboldormirabaud
More info:
http://www.boldormirabaud.ch/en-ch/the-regatta/overview
http://www.boldormirabaud.ch/en-ch/2018-edition/spectators
