Fast facts:

• American John Casey in control
• Mischa Heemskerk wards off bad luck
• Two races in a dream location
• Around-the-island on Saturday
• Live race coverage on the Cata Cup website

In Saint Barth, the days all pass in the same manner… But not exactly for everyone! The sailing and the weather conditions are outstanding. Good breezes, clear waters, fabulous landscapes. And it’s out on the water that things started to evolve for Mischa Heemskerk, last year’s winner. Yesterday, victim of a problem with his rudder, Mischa has to be content with 17th place. In this morning’s race, he had an issue with his spinnaker. When the time came, impossible to haul it in. The Formula 18 intentionally capsized, and while the world vice champion treaded water and made repairs, two thirds of the fleet sailed right by. More bad luck for Heemskerk, but this champion has nerves of steel. He came in 36th place, but was back out on the water in the afternoon more charged up than ever. 

With complicated conditions, with changing winds, then 45 minutes of sailing under spinnaker Mischa Heemskerk and his teammate Eduard Zanen made it to the head of the fleet. “This race was very interesting,” explains Heemskerk. “A lot of wind, no wind. At the end of the regatta, Eduard had a brilliant idea. At Bœuf, the windward marker, we were in 7th place. On the last tack before the finish line, Eduard saw a raincloud and we decided to tack toward the shore. When it stopped raining, shortly thereafter, we were in the lead.” A lead that Mischa and Eduard consolidated, then transformed the lead into a victory during match racing with Carolijn Brouwer and Jeroen Van Leeuwen. 

No unpleasant surprises for Carolijn and Jeroen who are still in second place overall, or for teams of John Casey and Dalton Tebo, in the lead, or the Figueroa duo, in third place.
The big surprise came from the Boulogne brothers. They are the top French team and fourth for the day. “ At Fourche, at the moment to lower the spinnaker, we were in the lead,” explains Manu Boulogne. “We chose to sail close to the island that marked the course, which have us a bit of a lead. But the last tack into the wind right after was our fatality.”

Behind them overall are Erik Maris and Kinou Mourniac, the second French team. “This morning we had pretty wild conditions, and the wind was often unstable in force as well as direction,” notes Erik. “In Saint Barth, it’s always the same thing but you never get tired of it.”

Tomorrow the 57 boats will head out for the highly anticipated tour of the, with the weather forecast calling for winds of 15 knots. “Tomorrow is out day, announced Mischa. Same sentiment for Manu and Vincent Boulogne: “It would be great to win the around-the-island race in conditions that are good for us.” But these two European teams have to compete against Jeff Ledée and Vincent Jordil, in 10th place overall and the top Caribbean team. The two Saint Barth sailors smile and listen. On their home court, they are also vying for the victory… results tomorrow.

 
Formula 18 :  Due to their strict design specifications, the Formula 18 boats are the kings of racing catamarans. Those who race them are also found on the America’s Cup circuit and important multi-hull sea races. A sport that is high-speed, tactical, technical, and spectacular. The boats are built by various shipyards: in the 5th edition of the Saint Barth Cata Cup the boats include Hobie Wild Cat, Nacra Infusion MKII, Cirrus R, Phantom, and C2, representing all of the latest generation of F18. 

Specifications: Length: 5.52m; width: 2.60m; Sails: 21.15m²; Mainsail: 17.00m²; Jib: 4.15m²; Spinnaker: 21.00m²; Weight: 180 kg; Price: approximately 20,000 euros.