Ready To Race!

After the final day of training on Wednesday, the 54 duos registered for the 16th edition of the St.Barth Cata Cup are anxious to enter into the action, yet it seems as if the first races could be extremely tactical. If we are to believe the weather forecast, it is probable that the first confrontations will take place with very light wind, requiring a great deal of finesse on the part of the sailors. One hopes this does not mean that the first races must be postponed due to an insufficient amount of wind to ensure good racing conditions. It that scenario were to play out, it was be a first since the debut of the regatta in 2008. At the moment, the competitors are not too worried and are hoping for a pleasant surprise as the weather forecast has been far from reality most of the past week!

“This final day of training, today, allowed everyone to get their bearings out on the water and allowed me to get back in the swing of things as last year I was only able to sail two says in Class A, as I had so much work!” says Olivier Gagliani, who has not stepped foot on a Formula 18 since the last edition of the regatta, exactly one year ago. But those who are close to this Belgian — affectionally known as “Three Apples” — know that when it comes to the race, with or without sailing recently, he remains a top challenger with his teammate Patrick Demesmaeker, recent winner of the combined championships in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, sailing with Gilles Tas. Basically because he knows all the traps around Saint Barthélemy like the back of his hand, even if he remains modest and prefers to be prudent. “In very light wind, it can be like playing poker. One bad move and you miss the wind. We are really going to have to take every opportunity during the first days of the race, which are forecast to be very, very light.” In fact, the most recent predictions are calling for just 3 to 7 knots of wind in the Lesser Antilles, on Thursday and Friday.

Being In The Right Place At The Right Time

“Having participated 15 times, I can only remember two or three races that were cancelled due to lack of wind. To not race for an entire day is unheard of at the St.Barth Cata Cup!,” confirms the Belgian, forever the optimist. “Two days ago, they called for 8 to 10 knots and there were actually 14 to 15. So we can hope that once again the forecasters are a little off from reality,” adds Olivier. Same refrain from his compatriot Henri Demesmaeker, who participated in this event for the first-time last year with Jeroen Van Leeuwen, and is also optimistic about the next two days. “The trade winds are not on the menu and we might have to deal with winds from the south, which are rather unusual in Saint Barth. We are expecting very tactical races, with wind that might veer to the right and to the left, but also with major differences in pressure. We have to make sure we are in the right place at the right time!,” notes the helmsman, who intends to make the most of it to get his “revenge,” having missed the podium last year due to equipment failure. “With Jeroen, we are here to sail our best races. We hope to win them, one after the other. Our goal is to enjoy ourselves as much as possible on the water, but also on the shore.” 

Having Fun On Land And At Sea

The same goes for Yvan Bourgnon, who has returned to the Cata Cup 13 years after his last participation. “I have always loved this race but in recent years I haven’t had much time and have mostly sailed on 20-footers. I am very happy to be back in the competition and sailing on a Formula 18, as it’s always such a pleasure!,” says the navigator, who is partnering with Jean Boulogne this time around. “He’s just like his father, Manu: always on the attack! He is an ideal teammate for me, as I am a bit heavy, and he has an unbeatable weight-to-power ratio. He also has the drive, the desire, and the passion. Together, we’re not experts on this boat, so we are here to have a good time and also enjoy what happens on the shore,” adds Yvan, who could actually unseat some of the many favorites, all of whom are determined not to let the tandem of Ravi Parent & Nick Lovisa win for the second time in a row. “The battle promises to be intense because the roster is, as it always is here in Saint Barth, extremely competitive,” explains Spaniard Pablo Völker. “It is very challenging for me and Federico (Polimeni), as we just won the Worlds in this class. We know we don’t have any room for error over the next few days, especially with the scenario that could unfold. In very light wind, we know that there can be a lot of surprises,” he concludes.

Thursday, November 21, schedule:

• 9:30am Race “DESIGN AFFAIRS-OO1” Prize
• 7:30pm: Opening ceremony at GypSea Beach (invitation only)
• Results of the “DESIGN AFFAIRS-OO1” Prize
• Cocktail party with finger foods