Season of Renewal for St. Barth Cata-Cup

The 11th edition of the St. Barth Cata-Cup takes place November 14-18 on the pristine waters of this a French-speaking Caribbean island. Sailed in the Formula 18 catamaran, the 2018 edition looks to be a sellout as 55 teams representing 14 nations are confirmed with 13 on the wait-list. No more than 60 teams are accepted.

St. Barth Cata-Cup attracts the best of today’s Formula 18 racers, starting with the tandem Iordanis Paschalidis—Kontantinos Trigonis. Recently crowned as European champions at Sant Pere Pescador in Spain, this Greek duo will once again participate in this regatta, clearly with the ambition of defending their title.

There are also “smaller newcomers” attracted by the concept and the resoundingly convivial ambiance of this competition—a competition perfectly scheduled on the racing calendar to allow, on one hand, participants to finish their season in the tropical sun, and on the other hand, launch the island’s tourist season in a great way.

“The excellent level of the roster for this race is naturally one of the things that makes the St. Barth Cata-Cup so attractive. As for me, I have a personal agenda with the Greeks, who took the European title away from Gilles Tas and me this year,” jokes Patrick Demesmaeker, who will coming to planned to participate in the World Championships for this class on October 12-19 in Sarasota, FL, but finally gave priority to the St. Barth Cata-Cup.

“With my professional obligations it is impossible to do everything, there just isn’t enough time,” admits the Belgian. “So I decided to come to Saint Barth rather than the United States. The event has become a real tradition for me. I like the location as well as the hospitality we receive. And we see a lot of friends. All the ingredients come together so nicely, that we want to come back every year. It’s as simple as that.”

According to Thierry Berry, the new president of St. Barth Multihulls, the non-profit association that organizes the competition, it is understood that everything will be organized as best as possible to welcome the sailors to Saint Barth, in conjunction with the popular Nikki Beach, but to also create fantastic regattas in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

“After a difficult year post-Irma, the 2019 season should be one of renewal and we are very happy that the St. Barth Cata-Cup will be the first event, with the St. Barth Gourmet Festival, to open the tourist season,” concludes the president.

Event details – Entry list – Facebook