Last night, the tenth ceremony of the Sports Victories took place, hosted by journalist Christophe Josse, at the Palais Acropolis. A decade later, the closing ritual remains unchanged: awarding the traditional prize to the three best local athletes of the past year.
Ten years, that’s worth celebrating, isn’t it? The city of Nice went all out by appointing Jean-Pierre Dick, one of the best French sailors, as the godfather of the 2018 class.
And what a sporting year! In 2016, there were already 352 medalists. One year later, the number of national and international champions has now risen to 404, which is 52 additional athletes. But where will they stop?
Just like Julia Pereira, the Olympic silver medalist in snowboard cross at the Pyeongchang Winter Games, future generations appear to be as promising as the previous ones.
Between sea and mountains, a crossroads of all disciplines
“From the Baie des Anges to the highest peak of Mercantour, the whole world envies our territory,” acknowledges the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi. In this almost idyllic setting, the azure capital annually organizes nearly 500 sporting events: the Ultra-Trail Côte d’Azur Mercantour, various events at the Allianz Riviera, and the Ironman.
Between the finish of the Paris-Nice cycling race and Alain Prost’s driving demonstration in his historic Formula 1 car as a prelude to the return of the French Grand Prix (June 24, 2018), the Promenade des Anglais was at the heart of the festivities last weekend.
In 2018, the metropolis intends to innovate, particularly through the Nice Ultimed, a regatta where the best skippers, such as Thomas Coville, Francis Joyon, and Armel Le Cléac’h, will compete in the Mediterranean.
At the National Museum of Sport, earlier that day, Christian Estrosi announced, alongside Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, and Yann Le Moenner, CEO of Amaury Sport Organisation, that the 2020 Tour would start from the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department. A first since 1981.
The best for last
In recent days, internet users and ten professional journalists voted to elect the Azur athletes of the year. In total, there were sixteen athletes vying for one of the three trophies in the shape of an eagle, a true symbol of Nice.
A regular at the Sports Victories, Charlotte Bonnet was once again rewarded. “It’s always a pleasure to represent Nice in my competitions,” confided the protégé of Fabrice Pellerin. In 2017, the Olympic Nice Natation swimmer won six national titles and broke three French records, but we will especially remember her gold medal at the European Championships in the short course 200-meter freestyle.
In the para-sport category, Maxime Montaggioni garnered the most votes, for the third consecutive time. Currently in Pyeongchang for the Paralympics, the world champion of border cross, affected by a knee ligament injury, was forced to withdraw from the two races he was supposed to participate in. The ANICES member had every chance to win a medal.
“Personally, it’s not the second or third, but the very first time I’m receiving this award,” said a delighted Matthieu Bailet. “Even injured, I am proud to be here and talk about my discipline, alpine skiing.” At the U18/U21 French Championships, the Inter Club Nice member defied all competition and claimed the top honors in downhill, as well as in Super G.
Solène FALAISE
