the essential
Individual hat-trick, team title, the French fly fishing team swept it all at the 43rd World Fly Fishing Championships, held last week in Occitanie. Meeting, in Font-Romeu, with the Ariège champions.
After a week of a fully successful competition, both in terms of sport and organisation, the curtain fell and we were able to meet the Ariège players in this wonderful event at the closing ceremony in Font-Romeu.
Sébastien Delcor, team world champion and individual silver medalist: “I am a little disappointed to have once again come so close to the title because of a few unfavourable centimetres. The competition allowed us to highlight the very serious preparation that we have done and, as captain of the French team, I can only be delighted with the team title with an exceptional score. It was a high-level competition in venues that were more beautiful than each other.”
Sébastien Vidal, world team champion: “After a difficult start on the Vicdessos, then with a first and second place on the lakes, I did my part of the job to win the team title. This is my third team gold medal and I can only be satisfied. The spirit that reigns between us has certainly been a force that has brought about the excellent results obtained. On the organisation side, everything went very well and I think it will become a reference for fishermen around the world.”
Claude Delpy, Vicdessos sector manager and member of the Ariège fly fishing club: “Thanks to the mobilization of many volunteers from the Ariège fly fishing club and the APPMA of Tarascon, the Ariège welcome was up to par. The public, more numerous day by day, was able to appreciate a quality show. It is a great recognition for all those who worked to see this general satisfaction and an honor to have participated in such a great project that has put a great spotlight on fishing in Ariège.”
Fabien Domenge, president of the organizing committee: “It is a total success and I can only be delighted. A big thank you to all the volunteers who, thanks to their mobilization and investment, helped to build this great result, enhanced by the exceptional result of our French fishermen. The delegations from all over the world appreciated the sites, especially the mountain lakes, even if the latter required physical efforts to which they were not accustomed. For the public who came in large numbers, it was a great promotion of our favorite sport but also a great tourist promotion for the three departments that were visited: Ariège, Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales.”
We cannot finish this review without thinking of Pascal Raluy who left us a few weeks ago. The man who was for a long time the president of the Varilhois Fly Club and among the initiators of this world championship project in Occitania will not have had the pleasure of seeing this success and it is certain that the two Sébastiens will gladly give him a piece of their medal.
