Yesterday marked the grand start of the first of two Segeltörns Hope Segeltörns in 2021!

Divided into groups of four on three sailboats, 12 young people in cancer remission from all over the French-speaking part of Switzerland will sail for 4 days and 4 nights on Lake Geneva.

It was at the Pirates' cabin in the port of Ouchy that the staff and volunteers of Léman Hope enthusiastically welcomed the new young people for the Segeltörns. Accompanied by their parents, the future sailors were captivated, eager, and a little intimidated to discover their new home for the next four days. For some, this was their first time away from home. The reassuring words of the skippers and supervisors were enough to quickly break the ice. At 6 p.m., the three sailboats, Chupito, Neisson, and Keola, and their crews set sail for an unforgettable journey.

On the quayside, the emotion of the parents was also palpable. As one of the mothers confided, "This cruise has come at just the right time for our daughter. It's time for her to take flight again, and for us to let go. Let the adventure begin!

Supervised by sailing and health professionals, including members of ARFEC (Association romande des familles d’enfants atteints d’un cancer), Léman Hope is supported by around twenty volunteers who ensure that the event runs smoothly. TheseSegeltörns a boost of confidence after a long hospital stay and following the consequences of treatment. Through an introduction to the values of sailing and life on board, young people enjoy a fun and enriching environment. As a reminder, the Léman Hope project is inspired by a similar initiative, run since 2003 in Great Britain by the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust (EMCT), named after the famous sailor who founded the project. 

"These young people are the stars of the adventure, we are the pilots of the boat and the project partners are the wind that blows through the sails"
Priscille Varillon de Macias, Léman hope project manager.