The concept

Ever since its inception in 1990, the Trophée Clairefontaine has remained a simple concept based on four key points:

1- Firstly, it brings together eight great French and foreign sailing champions from different international sailing disciplines. These champions have impressive track records established in legendary events such as the America's Cup or equally famous international events such as the Olympic Games. Specialists from single-handed oceanic races rub shoulders with helmsmen from the match-racing circuit. Multihull and monohull skippers are treated in exactly the same way. The results have proven this over the years and will probably be demonstrated again this season. In short, it will be the most skilful champion who will stand on the top step of the podium on Sunday, and earn the title of "Champion of Champions".

2- A distinctive characteristic of the Trophée Clairefontaine is that it opposes champions from widely different backgrounds but provides them with exactly the same equipment. This is the SailingOne 7.65m (25') one-design catamaran specially designed for the race and exclusively used for the Trophée Clairefontaine. Fast and highly spectacular - capsizing is by no means excluded - the SailingOne one-design catamaran with its unique characteristics offers equal opportunity to monohull and multihull specialists alike: an exceptional boat for a unique competition unrivalled anywhere in the world.

3- The Trophée Clairefontaine has been designed to attract the widest possible audience, and for that reason a certain number of rules and regulations have been specially adapted and simplified. Others have been added so that everybody can follow the competition and understand what is going on. Sports ethics are respected and monitored by the officials of the French Sailing Federation. The champions particularly appreciate the adapted rules and regulations, which increase the spectacular nature of some of the heats, in particular the RUNS in the sailing stadium. Lasting no more than eight to fifteen minutes, these regattas make the show even more spectacular. Thrills and spills guaranteed!

4- Unlike conventional sailing events, the Trophée Clairefontaine takes place in a Sailing Stadium in front of the spectators. Access to the Trophée Clairefontaine stadium is open to all and free of charge. All the phases of the regattas are commentated and held in front of the public, from starts, to finishes, racing around buoys - even capsizing - so that everyone can see, encourage, and applaud the champions sailing only a few metres away. And all the regattas are set to background music with famous hits, making the atmosphere even more electric!

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