Eight Cape 31's from 8 nations at Porquerolles Regatta for Round 3 of the Med Circuit
by Tor Tomlinson Cheney 9 May 10:43 BST
8-12 May 2024
Round 2 in St Tropez © Tom Cheney
It's race week for the eight Cape 31's as they prepare for an exhilarating week of racing against the backdrop of the stunning Island of Porquerolles in the Côte d'Azur, set to kick off this Thursday, preceded by practice racing on Wednesday.
Eight teams from eight different nations are poised for four days of intense competition hosted by the Yacht Club De Porquerolles.
Returning to the fleet after a brief absence from Round 2 while they raced in the Caribbean, Michael Wilson's Shotgunn is back, following their impressive second-place finish in Round 1 held in Monaco.
Hot on their heels are the teams returning from Round 2 in St Tropez - Motions, Aspire, Imagine, and Black Battalion. Motions picked up second place at Round Two.
Adding to the mix, the Austrian team Stella Maris makes their debut appearance after a thrilling adventure in South Africa, where they commissioned their boat before setting shipping north for the remainder of the Med season. Essentia, from Romania, is eager to make their mark on the racecourse once again after getting up to speed in UK events throughout 2023. Rounding out the roster, the Turkish contingent, Eker Sumze, joins the One Design fleet after honing their skills in Turkey since acquiring their boat last year.
While the absence of Round 1 and 2 winners, Give Me Five, it sets the stage for an battle among the competitors vying for the top spot in Round 3. Also missing from Round 3 are Solano who rounded off the podium in Round 1 and 2.
With the stage set and the competition fierce, all eyes are on the horizon as the Cape 31 Med Fleet readies itself for a week of thrilling racing action in one of the world's most picturesque race areas.
Stay tuned for updates and highlights as the regatta unfolds on the azure waters of Porquerolles before the teams head across the water for Round 4 in Hyeres in a few weeks.