Français
"An iconic event on the circuit" are the words chosen by Australian Brett Burvill, third at the last F18 World Championships with his accomplice Max Putman, when evoking the Saint-Barth Cata Cup. Indeed, year after year, the event has built up a solid reputation among the world's leading specialists in the discipline. For the 17th edition, taking place from November 19 to 23, sailors from Europe (Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, France...), the Americas (USA, Argentina...) and Australia will make up the line-up.) and Australia will make up the 48-strong fleet of F18 catamarans that will take to the waters of Saint-Barth each day in search of victory in each of the regattas. Among them, four local crews will be looking to make their mark.
The indispensable passion of volunteers
With world-class champions among its ranks, the competition promises to be a highly competitive one. If the Cata Cup has acquired such a reputation, it is undoubtedly due to its exceptional water surface and the scenery it offers during each regatta, but also and above all to the involvement of the organizers and teams of volunteers. Their passionate commitment, their enthusiasm and the quality of the welcome they extend to participants every year contribute as much to the race's renown as the island's idyllic setting.
On land and at sea, some thirty people ensure that the event runs smoothly. "Without this team, nothing would be possible," says Elodie Ghezzi, event coordinator. For several weeks now, volunteers have been hard at work. In particular, they've been setting up the race village on the Saint-Jean site made available to them by the Hôtel Le Barthélemy. This is the site on which the new Emeraude hotel project is due to be built. For the duration of the Cata Cup, the wooden panels installed along the Saint-Jean beach will disappear, leaving an opening that will enable the public to access the village.
Waiting for twelve boats
While the entire organization is gradually being put in place, one uncertainty remains. It concerns the arrival in Saint-Barthélemy of twelve of the forty-eight boats. They were loaded into a container in Amsterdam on October 9, but the cargo ship's passage was delayed by the storm that passed over northern Europe. The ship was due to sail directly to Saint-Martin. However, being more heavily laden than expected, it must first make a stopover in Guadeloupe. For the time being, the landing of the famous container is scheduled for Wednesday November 19. The day before the start of the race. A problem? Not really. "Competitors who have already received their boats have been instructed to assemble them quickly, because when the last container arrives on the 19th with the twelve boats, everyone will have to pitch in to assemble them," says Elodie Ghezzi. Needless to say, the sailors were all on board with the idea. However, for the organizers, the uncertainty caused by the delay in delivery of the last catamarans brings them back to the complex and sometimes frustrating issue of insularity.
In any case, optimism is clearly the order of the day among the Cata Cup teams. A number of events have already been announced ahead of the start of the competition. On Wednesday November 19 at 2 p.m., children from CNSB and SBYC will be able to take part in an introduction to F18. This activity requires registration with the clubs, but is open to all.
The Cata Cup shines on the Transat Café L'Or
It's also worth noting that seven former Cata Cup participants were at the start of the Transat Café L'Or. These included race winners Franck Cammas and Morgan Larivière, who won the Cata Cup in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Antoine Joubert, 2016 winner in Saint-Barth, Manu Le Roch, Anne-Claire Le Berre, Sam Goodchild and Arnaud Vasseur were also on board. The latter is not done yet, as he will be at the start of the 17th Cata Cup next Thursday! Proof, if proof were needed, of the event's appeal.
