French trio targeting hat-trick of sonar titles at Para World Sailing Championships

Six Rio 2016 Paralympic places will on offer in the sonar fleet ©Para World Sailing

France’s Bruno Jourdren, Eric Flageul and Nicolas Vimont-Vicary are targeting a hat-trick of victories in the sonar class at the Para World Sailing Championships, which are set to take place from November 27 to December 3 in Melbourne, Australia.

The trio first topped the podium in 2013 after a series of excellent races in Kinsale, Ireland, before successfully defending their crown last year, when the Championships were staged off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada.

Another World Championship win would confirm the French team as the favourites to claim gold at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, having narrowly missed out on the medals at London 2012 when they finished in fourth position.

"We are the world champions so of course we want to keep our title, but even though we are world champions and respected by the others, of course they want to fight us,” said Vimont-Vicary.

"For the moment we are focused on the World Championships but we know in the months ahead that Rio is the most important competition, although we have to be in the moment.”

Canada's Paul Tingley, Logan Campbell and Scott Lutes are expected to be in the hunt for a podium finish once again with their team continuing to develop having won bronze at both the 2013 and 2015 International Sailing Federation (ISAF) World Cups in Miami.

The Canadian team also finished as the runners-up at the 2014 World Championships behind the French team, but with Beijing 2008 gold medallist Tingley at the helm the team will feel confident of ending top of the podium.

The French sonar team will be targeting a third straight world title ©ISAF

Australia's Colin Harrison, Jonathan Harris and Russell Boaden, who won bronze last year, will be keen to secure further success in front of a home crowd while German and British teams are also likely to be in contention for medals.

Among the 18-boat fleet, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Britain, Greece and Norway begin the Championships having already booked their place at Rio 2016.

However Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Spain, the United States and the US Virgin Islands will be chasing the remaining six spots on offer, with three teams set to miss out on berths for the Games.