GC32 RACING TOUR RESUMES IN 2021 WITH NEW FRENCH VENUE
After this season sadly had to be written off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the GC32 Racing Tour will bounce back in 2021 with another five event circuit, including a World Championship, for its ultra-high performance one design foiling catamarans. Up to ten international teams from afar afield as Australia and the USA are due to compete across the season including several new teams that have acquired the few remaining secondhand boats, eager to experience the outstanding racing and the unrivalled performance ‘bang for your buck’ the GC32 provides.
As usual the GC32 Racing Tour will visit venues chosen to offer competitors the best chance of solid breeze and flat water, the optimum conditions for foiling. Yet the 2021 venues also offer diversity ranging from alpine lakes to Mediterranean bays and even the Atlantic, albeit well protected.
The season kicks off with a welcome return to France, one of the GC32’s spiritual homes with many leading French sailors such as America’s Cup skipper and Volvo Ocean Race winner Franck Cammas having passed through the circuit. The 2021 GC32 Racing Tour will begin at top of the Golfe du Lion in Port Camargue au Grau du Roi with the GC32 Occitanie Cup. Located in the Gard department within the Occitanie region of southern France, Port Camargue au Grau du Roi has more than 5000 berths making it the world’s second largest marina after San Diego. Famously it features characteristic 1970s architecture by Jean Balladur.
Over April-May, Port Camargue au Grau du Roi is the best time of year for foiling with the most winds of 12+ knots, blowing offshore from the north-northwest, making for flat water. The venue is well accustomed to holding racing for keelboats and dinghies including a stopover of the Tour de France à la Voile in 2017 and the J / 70 World Championship in 2015.
Lagos Mayor Hugo Pereira welcomed back the GC32 Racing Tour: “The announcement of the new season of the GC32 circuit is good news for Lagos. Now, while we try to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on our community and ensure that the local economy is not greatly affected, we need to launch initiatives that will contribute to restore normality, promote our city as a destination and welcome those who visit us .
The 2021 GC32 World Championship will take place in mid-September this time in Villa
