Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez to host the first Cape 31 Gold Cup in October 2026

The world’s best one-design teams will compete in the first-ever Cape 31 Overall Class championship from October 12 to 17, 2026 in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
This historic regatta will bring together the world’s best teams to compete for the title of international champion of the Cape 31 class, marking a decisive moment in the development of this fast-growing global class.

The Gold Cup will follow the Cape 31 Mediterranean circuit final in Hyères (September 24-26, 2026), which will serve as the official pre-Gold Cup regatta, offering teams a final opportunity to measure themselves before arriving in Saint-Tropez for the final event of the season.

A world-class international fleet

The Cape 31 is one of the fastest growing classes of modern one-design keelboats. It attracts top owner-drivers, professional sailors and Corinthian teams from all over Europe and beyond. Designed for tight, high-performance racing, the Cape 31 offers fierce competition, tactical racing and spectacular downwind speed, making it one of the most exciting classes on today’s international sailing circuit.

The class continues to grow rapidly, with strong fleets established in the UK and throughout the Mediterranean. The 2026 season will feature two major championship circuits taking place throughout the summer in the northern hemisphere, culminating in Saint-Tropez, where the international fleet will gather for the first-ever Gold Cup.

With the arrival of new teams in an already highly competitive fleet, the event should offer an exceptional level of racing and further strengthen the Cape 31’s position as a leading international one-design class.

A major local challenge

Among the competitors will be Saint-Tropez-based Give Me Five, run by Adrien Follin, the team that originally invited the Cape 31 class to race in Saint-Tropez. A leading Corinthian campaign, Give Me Five won the Corinthian European Championship title at Sanremo in 2024, secured the Corinthian season title and finished second overall on the international circuit in 2025, just behind Stig. Evolving on its home waters, the team will be a serious contender for the inaugural Gold Cup title and a local favorite of choice.

Saint-Tropez – An ideal setting for a historic premiere

Renowned for hosting world-class sailing events and offering exceptional racing conditions, Saint-Tropez is the ideal setting for the first Cape 31 Gold Cup. The combination of elite competition, international teams and the iconic Côte d’Azur setting promises a spectacular week of racing, both on and off the water.

“The Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez is delighted to welcome the Cape 31 fleet to the first ever Gold Cup,” said Tor Tomlinson Cheney, International Secretary of the Cape 31 Class, “The strength of the international fleet, the growth of the class and the quality of the racing expected make this a historic event. Saint-Tropez offers the perfect setting to crown our first Gold Cup champion.”

Cape 31 Mediterranean 2026 calendar

Porto Cervo – April 24-26, 2026
Puntaldia – May 15-17, 2026
Bonifacio – June 5-7, 2026
Scarlino – July 10-12, 2026
Hyères (pre-Gold Cup event) – September 24-26, 2026

Cape 31 2026 calendar in the UK

Round 1 – Royal Yacht Squadron – May 8-10, 2026
Round 2 – IRC European Championship – May 22-25, 2026
Round 3 – Summer Series – June 12-14, 2026
Round 4 – Cape 31 National Championship – July 3-5, 2026
Round 5 – Cowes Week – August 2-4, 2026
Season finale / CAV – September 11-13, 2026

Saint-Tropez (Gold Cup) – October 12-17, 2026