The periodicity of competitions makes this sport available at any time of the year. Almost every month, competitions of world importance are held with the participation of various frigates. If you want to watch or take part, you should take into account that you know about the events in advance and choosing the desired one will not be so easy because of the competition.
Below are the most popular events that will take place in the near future.
Les Voiles de St Tropez
The event, which lasts from September 24 to October 4, is the final tournament of the Mediterranean season. The event is organized every year by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez with the support of the International Maxi Association. It repeats the format of the competition created in 2020, divided into two weeks.
The first part is contested by modern sailboats of a certain size with a fleet of about 250 yachts; then the participation of larger Maxi yachts. In total, about 300 classic and modern yachts are taking part.
October competition
The Rolex Middle Sea Race is the main event of the tenth month of the year. These events have been held under the auspices of the Royal Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club since 1968. The yachts sail the Mediterranean route from Malta.
The route stretches for 606 nautical miles and bypasses Sicily. The participation of 150 yachts competing for victory for 7 days. A grand celebration party is expected after the announcement of the winners. Setting sail from Malta, the fleet heads north to Capo Passero, the eastern coast of Sicily, and then to the Straits of Messina.
There are currents and wind that, if used correctly, will become a pimple remover. From there, yachts head north to the Aeolian Islands. On the islet of Strombolicchio, the fleet changes direction to the west along the northern coast of Sicily to the Aegadian Islands.
The route runs south to the island of Lampedusa, where the participants then follow the South Comino channel to the final point of Marsamxett harbour.
November Transatlantic event
The Route du Rhum is one of the three largest offshore races using yachts. During each four-year period, the competition gathers professional sailors and amateurs. The participants will leave from Saint-Malo on November 6, 2022, and swim a route of 6,560 km.
The fleet is divided into six categories: Ultime, Ocean Fifty, IMOCA, Class40, Rhum Multi and Rhum Mono. This year, an increase of 18 places was announced. 138 people are expected to participate in all categories.
The leader among the expected events in December
The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is held in Sydney every year. It is held under the patronage of the Cruise Yacht Club of Australia. The starting position is in New South Wales. The finish is in Hobart, Tasmania.
The route stretches for 630 nautical miles and is considered one of the most difficult among the existing ones. Since its inception in 1945, the yacht race has evolved from an event for cruising enthusiasts to one of the top three offshore races in the world.
The Ocean Race 2023
It will take place in the format of a 4-person crew and accompanied by one representative of the OBR. The 38,000-mile round-the-world yacht race is split between two categories, the IMOCA 60 and the Volvo Ocean 65 of the same design.
The teams are going to compete 24 hours a day for 20 days and in conditions of temperature changes from -5 to +40 degrees Celsius. The competition with Spain starts specifically with Alicante. The first stage covers the route to Cape Verde.
The innovation is a stop on the African archipelago to participate in the famous Ocean Week. Stage 2 means that the fleets cross the equator, south to Cape Town. The first stop is at the southern tip of Africa where the boats will be lifted out of the water for maintenance.
Athletes then take part in a 12,750-nautical-mile marathon to Itajaya, Brazil, over a period of one month. The route then turns north, across the equator and to the east coast of the United States, from there to Europe with a transatlantic leg to Aarhus. And the final test is the way to Genoa, Italy.
Knowing the dates of the competitions, you will be able to follow the spectacular races and be aware of the hottest events!