St Barth Cata Cup 2026: the Formula 18 regatta at Saint-Jean (16–23 November)
The St Barth Cata Cup takes place 16–23 November 2026 at Saint-Jean. Everything you need to know about the Formula 18 regatta and how to plan your stay.
By Sun Beach House
Every November, Saint-Jean bay undergoes a transformation. Brightly colored Formula 18 catamaran sails appear on the horizon, carried by the northeast trade winds, their hulls skimming the water at 18 to 20 knots on the downwind legs. This is the St Barth Cata Cup: a regatta born from the passion of three friends from the island, now one of the most anticipated events on the global Formula 18 calendar[1]. In 2026, the competition runs from 16 to 23 November, with its race village set up at Grand Saint-Jean[1].
Whether you are a seasoned sailor, a curious spectator, or a visitor looking for a lively week before the high season begins, here is what you need to know about this unique event.
A regatta born from local passion
The story of the St Barth Cata Cup begins in 2007, when three sailing enthusiasts — Jeff Lédée, Vincent Jordil and Thierry Lhinarès — decided to turn a small local regatta into something far more ambitious[4]. They founded the association St Barth Multihulls and organized the first edition in 2008, with fourteen crews made up mostly of local residents who had managed to get their hands on a seaworthy F18[4].
The following year, the switch to Formula 18 as the sole class gave the event international legitimacy. The International Formula 18 Class Association (IF18CA) added the competition to its world calendar, alongside the class's World and European Championships[2]. An official Notice of Race (NOR) is published months ahead of the event[3].
Today, the St Barth Cata Cup attracts up to sixty crews from around ten countries[1]. Places are limited and the event sells out every year[1]: for the 2026 edition, pre-registrations were open from 11 April to 16 May[2]. Local interest in the registration period was covered by Le Journal de Saint-Barth[9], a sign that the event has become firmly embedded in the island's sporting life.
In 2025, the 17th edition brought together 48 crews with representatives from Australia, Belgium, Spain, the United States and other nations[5]. The winners, Henri Demesmaeker and Rasmus Rosengren (team 97 TP Services), dominated the fleet with six podium finishes in eight races — a consistency that speaks to the level of this competition[6].
Formula 18: a demanding racing catamaran
The Formula 18 is no ordinary beach catamaran. It is an international racing class, created in 1993 and recognized by World Sailing, governed by strict technical rules while allowing manufacturers a degree of design freedom[7].
Dimensions are standardized: 5.52 m in length by 2.60 m in beam, with a minimum platform weight of 130 kg[7]. The mast can reach 9.10 m. Total sail area — mainsail (17 m²), jib (4.3 m²) and gennaker (21 m²) — exceeds 40 m²[7]. Upwind, these boats reach 11–13 knots; downwind with the gennaker flying, top crews push toward 18–20 knots[7].
A key feature of the class is its open, or "box rule" format: any boat meeting the specifications may compete, regardless of brand or builder. This allows the St Barth Cata Cup to bring together world champions and passionate amateurs in the same fleet[1] — a coexistence that few regattas at this level can afford.
Crews are classified into categories so that each team can compete at their own level. For the exact breakdown of categories in the 2026 edition, the official website at stbarthcatacup.com is the reference[1].
2026 program: raids, coastal racing, beach parties
From 16 to 23 November 2026, the race village at Grand Saint-Jean becomes the hub of the competition[1]. The week combines two distinct racing formats, which give the Cata Cup its distinctive character in the global F18 calendar:
Raids are distance races held around the island or toward neighboring islands. These open-sea courses demand navigation skills, meteorological awareness and endurance as much as outright boat speed[4].
Coastal courses, in front of Saint-Jean bay, pit crews against each other on upwind and downwind legs around marks set by the race committee. The duels are close, maneuvers frequent, and tactical decisions often critical[4].
The competition is also known for its social dimension: beach parties, live music, shared meals between crews and visitors[4]. The mix of international circuit professionals and passionate amateurs creates an atmosphere that regulars describe as unique in the F18 world.
November wind conditions at Saint-Jean are generally driven by the northeast trade winds, blowing between 12 and 18 knots in normal conditions[8]. Some editions have seen lighter conditions (3 to 7 knots), demanding exceptional tactical skill from the crews[8]. This unpredictable character — caused by the island's terrain affecting wind flow — is one of the reasons why the world's top crews particularly value this regatta.
Saint-Jean, the natural venue of the Cata Cup
Saint-Jean bay is one of the most distinctive regatta venues in the Caribbean. The beach stretches for almost a kilometer of white sand, split in two by the runway of Gustaf III Airport — known worldwide for its spectacular low-altitude approaches over the palm trees. For spectators, the sand offers a direct view of the start and finish area, just a few dozen meters from the boats.
The Saint-Jean neighborhood is the most vibrant on the island outside Gustavia. It is home to notable hotels — including the Eden Rock and Tom Beach Hotel — as well as restaurants and beach clubs like Nikki Beach. In November, the Cata Cup week adds a sporting and international dimension: crews, supporters and curious visitors share the same beach for a week that exists nowhere else in the Caribbean.
For villas in Saint-Jean and neighboring areas, our Destinations page describes the characteristics of each neighborhood on the island.
Visiting Saint-Barth for the Cata Cup: practical information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| 2026 dates | 16–23 November 2026 |
| Venue | Race village, Grand Saint-Jean, Saint-Barthélemy |
| Class | Formula 18 (catamarans only) |
| Spectator access | Free — public beach |
| Crew registration | Open 11 April–16 May 2026 (sold out) |
The right time to book. November is a transitional period at Saint-Barth: the official high season starts in late November with Thanksgiving. The Cata Cup week therefore offers a clear advantage — the island is lively thanks to the regatta, yet villa rental rates have not yet reached December peaks. Owners frequently accept November bookings from the first quarter of the year, so planning ahead is essential.
Getting to the island. Saint-Barthélemy is served from Saint-Martin (SXM), San Juan (SJU), Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP) and Antigua (ANU) via short-haul regional flights. Private jet connections and private maritime transfers from Saint-Martin complete the options. Our article on how to get to Saint-Barth covers all options and service providers.
Villas. To stay in Saint-Jean or nearby neighborhoods (Lorient, Grand Cul-de-Sac, Gustavia), browse our selection of villas available in November. Our team, based on the island since 1996, will help you find the right property for your group, budget and schedule.
Concierge services. Boat trips on non-racing days, dinner reservations at waterfront restaurants, transfers from Saint-Martin airport — our concierge service can organize your entire stay on a bespoke basis.
Frequently asked questions about the St Barth Cata Cup 2026
When does the St Barth Cata Cup 2026 take place? From 16 to 23 November 2026. The race village is set up at Grand Saint-Jean beach[1].
Is the regatta open to the public? Yes. Saint-Jean beach is public and watching the racing from the sand is free. The social events organized by the association are generally open to visitors.
How do crews register? For the 2026 edition, registration was open from 11 April to 16 May 2026 via stbarthcatacup.com[2]. As the event is capped at sixty crews and sells out every year[1], crews should watch for pre-registration openings at the start of each year.
Can non-sailors attend? Absolutely. The St Barth Cata Cup is as much a festival as a competition. Spectators can watch race starts from the beach, enjoy the village atmosphere, attend evening events, and get up close to the boats during breaks.
When should you book a villa for the Cata Cup? From the first quarter of the year (January–March 2026 for this edition). Villas with a direct view of Saint-Jean bay are the first to go.
Our recommendation
The St Barth Cata Cup week is one of the most pleasant of the autumn in Saint-Barthélemy: the island is lively, the atmosphere both sporting and convivial, and rates are still reasonable before the high season surge. For visitors who are not competing, it is an original way to discover the island in a festive, international setting, with Saint-Jean beach transformed into a sailing village.
If you are considering coming to Saint-Barth for this event, browse our selection of villas available in November. Our team can also organize your entire stay — from transfers to dinner reservations, boat trips to island tours — through our concierge service.
- Saint-Barth Cata Cup — Official website — https://stbarthcatacup.com/gbr/ — accessed 10/08/2026 ↩
- International Formula 18 Class Association — "Pre-registration is open for 2026 St Barth Cata Cup" — https://www.f18-international.org/pre-registration-is-open-for-2026-st-barth-cata-cup/ — accessed 10/08/2026 ↩
- International Formula 18 Class Association — "St Barth Cata Cup 2026 NoR published" — https://www.f18-international.org/st-barth-cata-cup-2026-nor-published/ — accessed 10/08/2026 ↩
- Sailing World — "Catamaran Racing In Paradise" — https://www.sailingworld.com/racing/catamaran-racing-in-paradise/ — accessed 10/08/2026 ↩
- Caribbean Compass — "Saint Barth Cata Cup 2025: The F18 Elite Set to Compete from November 19–23" — https://caribbeancompass.com/saint-barth-cata-cup-2025/ — accessed 10/08/2026 ↩
- CatSailingNews — "F18 St Barth Catacup 2025: Final Day" — https://www.catsailingnews.com/2025/11/f18-st-barth-catacup-2025-final-day/ — accessed 10/08/2026 ↩
- World Sailing — International Formula 18 Catamaran Class Rules — https://www.sailing.org/26769.php — accessed 10/08/2026 ↩
- International Formula 18 Class Association — "Saint Barth Cata Cup – Not Much Wind But Lots Of Fun!" — https://www.f18-international.org/saint-barth-cata-cup-not-much-wind-but-lots-of-fun/ — accessed 10/08/2026 ↩
- Le Journal de Saint-Barth — "Cata Cup 2026: encore quelques jours pour les inscriptions" — https://www.journaldesaintbarth.com/en/actualites/sport/cata-cup-2026-encore-quelques-jours-pour-les-inscriptions-202605072040.html — accessed 10/08/2026 ↩