Australia's sailors say the importance of the looming Olympic test event in French waters can't be underestimated.
Thirteen Australians will compete at the Marseille regatta starting Sunday.
And while there's a just over a year before sailing at the Paris Olympics will be contested in waters off the same port city, the Aussies say there's no time to waste.
"This is a full-dress rehearsal," the Australian Sailing Team's high performance director Iain Brambell said.
"The athletes, coaches and performance support team will utilise this opportunity to fully simulate our Games-time on and off-water practices.
"The value of the test event cannot be underestimated."
Brambell said the week-long regatta would provide invaluable intelligence, with Australia's elite sailors already in the midst of research.
Australia's men's 49er crew Jim Colley and Shaun Connor have been in Marseille for a month.
"Jim and I have been here from early June getting to know this tricky venue and have experienced a range of conditions," Connor said.
"Now it's time to get down to business and enjoy the racing."
Five Olympians, including four medallists, are on Australia's team.
The medallists include Olivia Price, who won keelboat silver at the 2012 London Games.
Price is now competing in the 49erFX skiff class with Evie Haseldine.
"We're using this test event to practice our processes and test ourselves in the Olympic-style fleet," Price said.
"The Australian FX squad has spent the last few weeks in Europe with some great training groups.
"So now it's time to put what we know into practice and see how we've progressed along with the rest of the world."
AUSTRALIA'S SAILING TEAM AT MARSEILLE TEST EVENT
49erFX: Olivia Price, Evie Haseldine; 49er: Jim Colley, Shaun Connor; Formula Kite; female: Breiana Whitehead, male: Scott Whitehead; ILCA 6: Zoe Thomson; ILCA 7: Matthew Wearn; iQFOiL: male: Grae Morris; Mixed 470: Nia Jerwood, Conor Nicholas; Nacra 17: Lisa Darmanin, Darren Bundock.
