Beach volleyball (Series 1): a real Ré armada, in force on its home turf

From Friday 13 to Sunday 15 June, the Ré Beach Stadium in Bois-Plage will host the 17th edition of the Ré stage of the French beach volleyball championship.

There's no doubt that the Ré Beach Stadium will take on the appearance of a cauldron, starting Friday, June 13 at 9 a.m., given the sheer density of locals present on the sands of Bois-Plage. On paper, the 17th Ré Beach France, a stage of the French championship, seems to be a mountain in front of the visiting pairs, who will have to contend with the impressive Ré armada. In the main draws, 6 out of 8 men's teams represent the club and 7 out of 8 among their women's counterparts.

In this game, the Basques of Anglet, Rémi Lacaze and Nicolas De Swetschin, will be able to count on their ardent supporters. Another possible spoilsport is the pair Mathys Merle (Dunkerque) and Simon Lebecq (Calais). And Yann de Kergret, president of the Ré Beach Club (RBC), sets the tone without false modesty: "We're aiming for the top three places on the podium." Given the results of the club's young talents, it's hard to disagree with him. Maritime Kéran Duval will be partnered with Arthur Canet (Montpellier Beach Volleyball), a newly formed duo for Los Angeles 2028 who are aiming for the top step. Spectacular as hell, with flamboyant youth at their disposal, they already have the means to achieve their ambitions.

The same goal for the Rétais stage, and the same Olympic ambitions for the Duval siblings for Saofé Duval, partnered with Marilu Pally. The reigning French champions will be keen to repeat the feat. On May 25, they demonstrated their excellent complementarity by winning the first Series 1 of the season in Le Vésinet, while the duo had only just reunited, Pally having to attend school in Berkeley (United States).

A little insider tip: Duval is expected to join her next fall for a university year together in California, to chart their path toward their Olympic dreams. Already gold medalists on the international circuit, like Elsa Descamps (RBC) and Romane Sobezald (Toulouse Beach Volleyball), they are expected to meet on the sands of Ré in the semi-finals on Sunday. Among the favorites, Ophélie Lusson from the North of Bondues, partnered with Alex Merle (RBC). Four women's and men's teams will qualify for the main draw on Friday.