Cascais is the longest city stop of the five venues, which will see the exciting, one-design fleet of 70-foot grand prix trimarans, and their world-class crews race from Kiel in Germany to Italy. The tour covers more than 5000 miles and visits five countries.
As the centrepiece of a comprehensive itinerary of different events off Cascais, this stage will include a demanding 'Around Portugal' offshore race as well as visually spectacular coastal race from Cascais, up the Tagus river to Lisbon and also short, sprint and City races on the bay which should enthral spectators whilst challenging all the skills of the crews aboard the five MOD70's.
After starting in Kiel, Germany the MOD70 European Tour will arrive in Cascais as the finish of the second leg from Dublin, Ireland, and will see the fleet start out for the passage to Marseille on 20th September.
The reputation of Cascais as a host area for world class sailing events continues to grow. In recent years these Portuguese waters, which are immediately open to the Atlantic and are blessed with an enviable record for consistent, strong racing breezes, have hosted every size and level of events from the Olympic classes' ISAF Sailing World Championships, to the TP52's Audi MedCup, the America's Cup World Series to the Match Racing World Tour and the IMOCA Open 60's Europa Warm'Up race. But the MOD70 European Tour will offer a truly unprecedented schedule of events to be raced off Cascais, which are expected to attract sailing and sports fans.
The two-day offshore race will take the fleet north to turn off Porto, south with the Portuguese tradewinds to Cape St Vincent off the SW corner of Portugal to a finish back in Cascais.
Among the skippers and crews competing will be two times Vendée Globe winner Michel Desjoyeaux on FONCIA, Stève Ravussin on Race for Water, Sébastien Josse on Groupe Edmond de Rothschild, Yann Guichard on Spindrift racing and Sydney Gavignet on Musandam-Oman Sail.
The Cascais stopover was officially launched today at the Clube Naval de Cascais where the Mayor of Cascais, the MOD70 European Tour Event Manager Hervé Favre, and the director of the Clube Naval de Cascais Francisco Geraldes joined together to make a presentation to the Portuguese media.
Cascais Schedule
12th September: Expected finish of Leg 2 from Dublin
13th September: Rest Day
14th September: Cascais Speed Match
15th September: Cascais City Race
16th September: Cascais City Race
17th September: Offshore 'Around Portugal'
18th September: finish Offshore 'Around Portugal'
19th September: Rest Day
20th September: Start Leg 3: Cascais to Marseille
Hervé Favre, MOD70 European Tour Event Manager:
"Arriving in Cascais should mark the MOD70 European Tour reaching southern Europe and the crews by then, most probably, will welcome some warmth after their passage round to the north of Scotland and the Fastnet.
But that is not to say the programme will be restful, with a coastal race from Cascais to Lisbon, two days of City Match and Speed Races before an offshore race 'Around Portugal' which will take the MOD70's to Porto then Cape St Vincent before returning to Cascais. I am sure that the experience of the Clube Naval de Cascais and the town, is that of an organisation which is well used to hosting major sailing events, which will complement the efforts of the sailors."
Stève Ravussin, skipper of Race For Water:
"The weather conditions off Portugal and in particular Cascais are great, especially for sailing. I am looking forwards to returning to a place that I know well. The pleasant climate is complemented by the enthusiasm of the local people and knowledge and experience of the Clube Naval de Cascais and the town in holding major events ensure this promises to be a great stopover. The programme will be buy and the competition on these waters will be a treat."
Carlos Carreiras, Mayor of Cascais:
"Cascais welcomes the MOD70s. It is another World Class Event in our waters. We have hosted most of the different classes in our Race Course area now and the MOD70 were the one that was missing. The presence of top world sailors is also important for our young sailors who will have the opportunity to see and learn from some of their sailing idols. From today, the MOD70 Class is linked with Cascais and they will be our ambassadors."
Francisco Geraldes, Clube Naval de Cascais Member of the Board:
"The Clube Naval de Cascais is honoured to have the MOD70's sailing in our waters. This Event is special because almost the whole of the country will have the possibility to see these magnificent boats when they race off Oporto and the Algarve."
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