A record 28-boat fleet representing 12 nations is set for the inaugural Cape 31 Gold Cup in Saint-Tropez next month, with further entries still possible. The four-day championship will run from October 14-17 as part of a six-day programme hosted by Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez from October 12-17.
The entry is already the largest Cape 31 fleet assembled, surpassing the previous record of 26 boats at the 2023 UK National Championship in Lymington.
Teams from France, Great Britain, Germany, South Africa, Switzerland, Monaco, the Netherlands, Türkiye, Italy, Hungary, Austria and Portugal are expected on the start line.
Gold Cup Marks New Cape 31 Milestone
The creation of the Gold Cup gives the Mark Mills-designed one-design class a standalone international championship, bringing together teams from its growing fleets.
Record Run: Cape 31s charge downwind under spinnaker, with the inaugural Gold Cup set to assemble a class-record 28 boats from 12 nations in Saint-Tropez. Photo: Sailing Energy
International Cape 31 Class President August Schram said the record entry was an important milestone for the class.
“I am incredibly proud to be part of the cutting-edge Cape 31 one-design class, and to see a record fleet come together for our inaugural Gold Cup in Saint-Tropez — one of the great centres of regatta sailing in the world.”
The class says established fleets and racing programmes across Europe and further afield have helped drive the increase in international participation.
European Champions Among 28-Boat Entry
The Saint-Tropez fleet includes several recent championship winners.
Stig, winner of the 2025 Cape 31 European Championship in Palma, will race alongside 2024 European champion La Pericolosa and Khumbu, winner of the 2026 UK National Championship.
Champions Converge: La Pericolosa, the 2024 Cape 31 European Champion, will be among the proven title winners lining up for the first Gold Cup in Saint-Tropez. Photo: ZGN
The three will be part of a fleet competing to become the first winner of the Cape 31 Gold Cup.
Adrien Follin, who helped bring the championship to Saint-Tropez and has been involved in organising the event, said the entry size exceeded expectations for the first edition.
“It’s really special to see the first Cape 31 Gold Cup coming together here in Saint-Tropez. To already have a record fleet of 28 boats from 12 nations is fantastic, and we’re incredibly excited to welcome the whole Cape 31 family for what I think will be a really special week, both on and off the water.”
Class Growth From UK Fleet to Gold Cup
International Cape 31 Class Secretary and Mediterranean Circuit Manager Tor Tomlinson Cheney said the Gold Cup reflected how far the class had developed since the first boats arrived in the UK.
“Having been involved with the Cape 31 class since the first boats arrived in the UK, it makes me incredibly proud to see how far the class has come and to now be bringing together a record international fleet for our first Gold Cup. Saint-Tropez feels like a very special place to mark that moment.”
She also thanked Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez and the local organisers for their work ahead of the championship.
International Line-Up: Cape 31 teams from across Europe and beyond will converge on Saint-Tropez for four days of Gold Cup racing from October 14-17
Racing Starts October 14
The Gold Cup programme begins on Monday, October 12, with racing starting on Wednesday, October 14. Four days of racing are scheduled before the first Cape 31 Gold Cup champion is decided on Saturday, October 17.
Entries remain open, meaning the current record fleet of 28 boats could still increase before the championship begins.
