The concept

Since its origin, in 1990, the concept of the Trophée Clairefontaine has been built around four key strengths.

1- Firstly, it brings together eight great international sailing champions from different sailing disciplines. These champions have impressive track records established in world famous races like the America's Cup or equally famous international events like the Olympic Games. Specialists from solo transatlantic races rub shoulders with helmsmen from match-racing circuits. Skippers on multihulls and monohulls are treated in exactly the same way.

2- A distinguishing characteristic of the Trophée Clairefontaine is to oppose champions coming from widely different backgrounds providing them with exactly the same equipment. This is the SailingOne monotype catamaran 7,65 meters long (25') specially designed for the competition and used exclusively in the Trophée Clairefontaine. Very powerful and very spectacular (capsizing them is by no means excluded!), the SailingOne catamaran with its unique characteristics offers completely equal chances to specialists of monohull and multihull alike. It is an exceptional boat for a competition that is unique in the world today.

3- The Trophée Clairefontaine has a wide public and, for that, a certain number of rules and regulations have been specially adapted and simplified and at the same time others have been added to make sure that everybody can follow the competition and understand what's going on. Sporting ethics are respected and monitored by the International Sailing Federation. The champions are particularly fond of all aspects of the rules and regulations governing the competition which increase the spectacular nature of some of the heats like the Runs in the nautical stadium, which can be over in under ten minutes.

4- Contrary to the vast majority of sailing events, the Trophée Clairefontaine takes place in a nautical stadium in front of spectators. Access to the nautical stadium is open to all and free of charge. Starts, finishes, racing around the buoys,... all the different phases of the regattas are played out before the public who can follow their favourite champions racing by just a few metres from the docksides of the port. Spectators support and applaud crews. The Trophée Clairefontaine is a real sporting show.

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