Regattas dedicated to cruising multihulls
Conceived long before the health crisis, the Multihull Trophies Festival will hold its first edition from September 17 to 19, 2021 in Port-Leucate. This event, which mixes regattas and land-based events, is exclusively dedicated to cruising and racing multihulls. This idea was born from the request of owners who wanted to have a race dedicated to their boat. Although multihull regattas exist, they are often reserved for racing multihulls, with yachtsmen having to race against monohulls, albeit in their own category.
A festive and good-natured event
“We chose to call our event a festival, because if the idea is to organize regattas, we want to emphasize the festive side of the event. On some regattas, finally, people do not exchange. We want to change this system and make people meet. We would like to organize a big party the day before, a day ashore the day after with meetings, exchanges, meetings… In short, different activities that will also allow the public to come on site explains Laurent Beauvais, one of the organizers.
A “mini-show” and conviviality
To make the event more dynamic, the organizers are thinking with Port-Leucate about organizing a “mini-show”, to bring in some multihull builders, who could present their new products, show them around and even race them in the regattas.
This first edition will be composed of coastal courses, speed runs and constructed courses, the boats will race in the Multi2000 class, the classification will be done in compensated time. Depending on the evolution of the situation, the race will evolve in 2022, according to the wishes of the participants.
Between 20 and 40 boats – with a minimum length of 28 feet and with a cabin – are expected on the starting line. Owners’ boats, boats chartered by charter companies, notably for foreign crews.
Registration costs are 280 euros for an 11 m catamaran and 60 euros per additional m. Pre-registration will start in April and registration from June 16, 2021 (site at the bottom of the page).
The composition of the crews is free since the idea is to mix pleasure and competition and to leave flexibility to the participants.
“We want people to have fun. There will always be that competitive side, but in a good-natured way. We need to be flexible in terms of everyone’s wishes and desires. In July we will know what everyone wants. We will please everyone” concludes Laurent Beauvais.