Catamarans merge at Caribbean competition

The seventh edition of the St. Barth Cata Cup will take place November 19-23 in St. Jean Bay on Saint Barthélémy. Sixty teams are currently signed up for the event, with the event’s popularity on the rise.

“We’ve been getting about 100 pre-registrations for the past two or three years,” said Hélène Guilbaud, the event’s organizer. “The sailors are so determined to secure a spot that we even have cases of double registrations.”

Although the organizers’ initial intention was to provide sailors at all levels a chance to enjoy the scenic beauty of the island, they also wanted to attract top competitors in the sailing world. Amateurs will therefore be able to rub shoulders with international luminaries. The total number of teams includes 10 from St. Barth, three from Saint-Martin, six from Martinique/Guadeloupe, 14 from France, eight from the United States and a few from Canada, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Germany and Spain.

A keen fan of regatta, aspiring American Olympian John Casey will be participating for the 6th time. Casey, who is training in the Nacra 17 event with teammate Sarah Newberry, hopes to take advantage of St. Barth Cata Cup to have fun and to work on his racing technique with a view to the Olympics. In St Barth, he will be racing with Colin Page.

“The St. Barth regatta is the one event I need,” declares Casey. “It isn’t just the perfect sailing and surroundings, it’s all the friends that I’ve made over the years. It’s a high-level competition but relaxed and easy. Olympic training and racing is very structured and in a word, ‘work.’ But the CataCup is a place to put your training to the test in a very fluid manner because there are many obstacles to endure and angles to sail to win. Nothing about the CataCup is straightforward on and off the water. You never know what is going to happen next! ”

It will also be an opportunity for Casey to pit himself against new Nacra 17 World Champion Billy Besson from France, who will be taking part in the regatta for the first time.

“Our event sparks wild enthusiasm among racers all over the world,” explained Vincent Jordil, creator of the St. Barth Cata Cup. “Obviously, John’s participation raises the level of competition. Although our event is intended to be a friendly competition, the fact remains that the sailors like to take part in a high-calibre race.”

About the St. Barth Cata Cup
The ST. BARTH CATA CUP is a high-calibre sporting event where catamaran enthusiasts come together under the Caribbean sun. After three editions in 1992, 1993 and 1994, the St. Barth Cata Cup was relaunched in 2008 by Vincent Jordil, Jeff Ledee and Thierry Linares. The Cata Cup brings together competitors of various nationalities, from world champions to Saint Barth residents. Follow the seventh edition of the St. Barth Cata Cup at www.stbarthcatacup.com

The Formula 18
The Formula 18 is the top racing series for sports catamaran. It is a high-speed, tactical, technical and spectacular discipline. The catamarans are built by different boat builders. The seventh edition of the St. Barth Cata Cup will feature Hobie Wild Cats, Nacra Infusion MKIIs, Cirrus Rs, Phantoms and C2s.