International fleet building for inaugural Cape 31 Gold Cup in Saint-Tropez
by Tor Tomlinson Cheney 13 Aug 05:09 PDT
14-17 October 2026
Cape 31 Mediterranean Circuit in Scarlino © Sailing Energy
International fleet building for inaugural Cape 31 Gold Cup in Saint-Tropez, with just over two weeks remaining before the Early Entry deadline
The Cape 31 Class is preparing for a landmark event this October, with 19 teams representing nine nations already registered for the inaugural Cape 31 Gold Cup in Saint-Tropez.
Taking place from 12-17 October 2026, with four days of championship racing from Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 October, the Gold Cup will bring together teams from across the international Cape 31 fleet just days after Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.
With further entries expected over the coming weeks, the class is now asking one very fitting question: Can we make it 31?
The Gold Cup represents the next step in a remarkable period of growth for the Cape 31 Class, following a succession of increasingly competitive national and international championships.
The 2023 UK National Championship brought together a 26-boat fleet, underlining the strength and depth of the UK class.
A year later, the Cape 31 European Championship headed to Sanremo, where La Pericolosa, owned by Christian Schwoerer, was crowned European Champion following four days of close racing on the Italian Riviera.
In 2025, the championship moved to Palma, where Alessandro Rombelli's Stig secured the European title after another tightly fought championship.
That momentum has continued into 2026.
The Cape 31 Mediterranean Circuit has enjoyed its biggest season to date, with 25 different teams competing across the series, while the UK fleet continues to provide another major centre of competitive Cape 31 racing.
Now, for the first time, those fleets have the opportunity to come together for a dedicated Cape 31 Gold Cup. Entries already span nine nations, with teams preparing to travel from both the Mediterranean and UK fleets — and there may even be a special guest making the journey from South Africa, where the Cape 31 story began.
With 19 boats already committed and further entries expected, the inaugural Gold Cup has the potential to become the largest Cape 31 gathering yet. And with the class setting its sights on a particularly appropriate target, there is one number everyone will be watching over the coming weeks: 31 boats for the Cape 31 Gold Cup.
Four days of high-intensity one-design racing are planned in Saint-Tropez, bringing together established Cape 31 champions, long-standing teams and newer faces from across the international fleet.
Victoria Tomlinson Cheney, International Cape 31 Class Secretary, said: "We've wanted to create an event that will bring the whole Cape 31 community together, and Saint-Tropez feels like an incredible place to do it. We have such strong fleets now in South Africa, UK and the Mediterranean, as well as Cape 31s racing around the world, so the Gold Cup is an opportunity for everyone to meet on one start line.
"To already have 19 teams from nine nations is really exciting, and we know there are more teams considering joining us. And, of course, with this being the Cape 31 Class, we couldn't resist setting ourselves the target of 31 boats! Most importantly, we want this to be an amazing week both on and off the water and a real celebration of the international Cape 31 community."
The Gold Cup will take place immediately after Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, giving teams the opportunity to race at one of sailing's most iconic destinations at the end of the Mediterranean season.
With just over two weeks remaining to secure the Early Entry Fee, teams considering competing are encouraged to confirm their entries now: cms.cape31class.com/racing/regatta/cape-31-gold-cup-2026-2026
19 teams. Nine nations. Can we make it 31?