Press Release 2024 #2
After the final day of training on Wednesday, the 54 duos registered for the 16th edition of the St.Barth Cata Cup are anxious to enter into the action, yet it seems as if the first races could be extremely tactical. If we are to believe the weather forecast, it is probable that the first confrontations will take place with very light wind, requiring a great deal of finesse on the part of the sailors. One hopes this does not mean that the first races must be postponed due to an insufficient amount of wind to ensure good racing conditions. It that scenario were to play out, it was be a first since the debut of the regatta in 2008. At the moment, the competitors are not too worried and are hoping for a pleasant surprise as the weather forecast has been far from reality most of the past week!
“This final day of training, today, allowed everyone to get their bearings out on the water and allowed me to get back in the swing of things as last year I was only able to sail two says in Class A, as I had so much work!” says Olivier Gagliani, who has not stepped foot on a Formula 18 since the last edition of the regatta, exactly one year ago. But those who are close to this Belgian — affectionally known as “Three Apples” — know that when it comes to the race, with or without sailing recently, he remains a top challenger with his teammate Patrick Demesmaeker, recent winner of the combined championships in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, sailing with Gilles Tas. Basically because he knows all the traps around Saint Barthélemy like the back of his hand, even if he remains modest and prefers to be prudent. “In very light wind, it can be like playing poker. One bad move and you miss the wind. We are really going to have to take every opportunity during the first days of the race, which are forecast to be very, very light.” In fact, the most recent predictions are calling for just 3 to 7 knots of wind in the Lesser Antilles, on Thursday and Friday.