The Yacht Club de France has revived the historic Coupe de France, one of the most prestigious events in the international sailing calendar, which was inaugurated in 1891 but has not been sailed since 1992. The 2003 Coupe de France will take place in the Gulf of St Tropez from 28 – 30 March.

It will be run as a three-boat team racing event between national teams with each team consisting of a Dragon, a Melges 24 and a Mumm 30. A total of nine countries will be represented at this year’s event: Germany, Belgium, Estonia, France, Italy, Monaco, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

The Melges 24 fleet includes former European Champion Kristoffer Spone from Norway, Frenchman Bruno Jourdren, an eight time First Class 8 national champion and twice winner of the France de Course au Large, Henri Samuel, Melges 24 Class President and Jacques Di Russo who has been a member of the France Match Race winning crew four times as well as competing for France in America’s Cup and Admiral’s Cup.

In the Mumm 30 class competitors include Marc Pajot, Jimmy Pahun who won last year’s Tour de France, Bernard Mallaret, winner of the recent Primo Cup in Monaco, and Francesco Cruiciani, three time ILC 30 World Champion and Mascalzone Latino team member. The Dragon sailors include French Champion Gwen Chapalain and German Michael Schatten, winner of the last edition of the Régates Royales.

The regatta gets underway on Thursday 27 March with registration followed by a formal opening reception. Racing is scheduled to start on Friday 28 March at 1100 with three races a day planned. There will be social functions each evening culminating with the presentation of the beautiful Coupe de France trophy to the winning crew at 1730 on Sunday 30 March.