Paris, 31 January 2006 – CP no. 2
The Multi Cup 2006: 6 events, 4 countries, 3 new venues
- A London launch -
The Multi Cup 60’ will get underway in London on 8 May this year with the
start of the first of the season’s six events! At French Yacht Club
headquarters in Paris today, ORMA chairman Gilles Cambournac and French
Sailing Federation chairman Jean-Pierre Champion unveiled the full
programme for the first edition of this new crewed multihull championship.
A vintage 2006 to set the tone
Following 9th December’s announcement on the creation of the Multi Cup 60’,
ORMA was keen to put together an innovative calendar. The firmly European
nature of the circuit is symbolic of the desire to open up the class
internationally, starting with a spectacular and highly original rendezvous
on the banks of the Thames! And it is a programme that also meets the
sporting concerns of the skippers, who wish to be able to combine crewed
events with solo training with a view towards the next Route du Rhum.
A major oceanic meeting
On 8 May therefore, the competitors will set out on the season’s Multi Cup
ocean race on an unusual course: London – Alpes Maritimes.
The boats are expected at the finish between 15 and 19 May.
Present on the circuit in 2005, Alpes Maritimes Conseil Général (County
Council) is renewing its commitment alongside ORMA by accommodating the
finish of this event in a town to be finalised at a later date.
The coastal events
There will be 5 such events this season.
Alpes Maritimes Conseil Général is also becoming the partner of the first
coastal event of the season, the Alpes Maritimes Trophy, to be contested in
the form of two coastal events on 20 and 21 May.
For the reindexder of the programme, the class will benefit from the support
of historic partners such as Marseilles and Port de Fécamp, which have been
playing host to the multihulls for 5 and 12 years respectively, together
with some totally new destinations which will see the crews explore the
waters of Trapani in Sicily and Portimao in Portugal.
The calendar
§ London – Alpes Maritimes: start 8 May
§ Alpes Maritimes Trophy from 20 to 21 May
§ Italy Grand Prix - Trapani, from 1 to 4 June
§ Grand Prix de Marseille, from 22 to 25 June
§ Portugal Grand Prix - Portimao, from 13 to 16 July
§ Grand Prix du Port de Fécamp, from 7 to 10 September
Gilles Cambournac also took advantage of the presentation to thank Mr.
Benjamin de Rothschild, the owner of the Gitana trimarans who has
instigated this transformation.
Key features of the Multi Cup 60’…
§ A circuit spread over 4 years so as to offer a secure future to the
professional teams and their owners
§ An international circuit, initially through the competition venues and
eventually via the new format
§ An exclusively crewed circuit
§ A competition aimed at the general public with changes to the way the
events are organised.
§ A circuit that is compatible with and complementary to the top single
and double-handed ocean meetings (Transat Jacques Vabre, Route du Rhum,
etc.).
§ Boats entered in the Multi Cup 60’ have to take part in all 6 events on
the programme.
§ At the end of the season, the title of Multi Cup Champion will be
awarded.
The organisation and the new Multi Cup partner will be presented to you at a special press conference during March 2006
The full presentation can be found at
www.multicup.net
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