Nineteen teams representing nine nations have already entered the inaugural Cape 31 Gold Cup in Saint-Tropez, with organisers targeting a fitting 31-boat fleet for the October championship.
Into Formation: Black sails stretch across the horizon as the Cape 31 fleet beats upwind, illustrating the scale and international growth of the one-design class
The international Cape 31 fleet will converge on the French Riviera from 12-17 October, with four days of championship racing scheduled from Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 October, immediately following Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. With further entries expected and the Early Entry deadline approaching, the class has set itself a target that matches the boat's name: 31 entries for the first Gold Cup.
Nine Nations Already Represented
The 19 confirmed teams underline the international expansion of the Cape 31, bringing together competitors from the established UK and Mediterranean fleets. There is also the prospect of an entry travelling from South Africa, where the Cape 31 was conceived and the class's international story began.
Kites Up: Cape 31 crews charge downwind under spinnaker, with the international class preparing to bring its growing fleets together for the first Gold Cup in October
The Gold Cup follows several seasons of growing championship fleets. The 2023 UK National Championship attracted 26 boats, while subsequent European Championships took the class to Sanremo and Palma.
Christian Schwoerer's La Pericolosa won the 2024 European title in Sanremo before Alessandro Rombelli's Stig claimed the championship in Palma in 2025. That growth has continued this season, with 25 different teams competing on the 2026 Cape 31 Mediterranean Circuit alongside an established UK racing programme.
Champagne Champions: Dun Laoghaire sailor Will Byrne (third from left) celebrates with Christian Schwoerer’s La Pericolosa crew after winning the 2024 Cape 31 European Championship in Sanremo. Photo: ZGN
Saint-Tropez Set for First Gold Cup
The new Gold Cup is designed to bring those fleets together for four days of one-design competition, with established champions and newer teams sharing the same Saint-Tropez start line.
Start Line: The Cape 31 fleet lines up for another tightly packed start, highlighting the close one-design racing expected at the inaugural Gold Cup in Saint-Tropez
Victoria Tomlinson Cheney, International Cape 31 Class Secretary, said the aim was to create an event that could bring the international community together.
“To already have 19 teams from nine nations is really exciting, and we know there are more teams considering joining us.” She added, “With this being the Cape 31 Class, we couldn’t resist setting ourselves the target of 31 boats!”
The championship takes place shortly after Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, giving visiting crews the opportunity to extend their Mediterranean programme at one of the region's best-known sailing venues.
The Cape 31 Gold Cup runs from 12-17 October, with championship racing from 14-17 October.
