How to participate in the F18 European Tour
Participation in the F18 European Tour follows a simple two-step process:
First, teams register in the European Tour database in order to appear in the official entry list and to be included in the overall circuit ranking.
Second, teams must register separately for the Acts they plan to attend using the official entry platform of each organizing club.
ACT 1 – Opening Act
Barcelona, Spain
24–26 April 2026
Event Overview
The opening act of the F18 European Tour 2026 takes place in Barcelona, Spain, from 24 to 26 April 2026.
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Hosted at the Barcelona International Sailing Center, the event is organised by the Real Club Nàutic de Barcelona, the Real Club Marítim de Barcelona, and the Federació Catalana de Vela, in conjunction with the International Formula 18 Class Association and the Spanish Formula 18 Class Association.​ As the first event of the European circuit, Barcelona will welcome international teams for the launch of the season and the first opportunity to establish positions in the overall ranking.
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The Venue
Barcelona offers one of the most dynamic sailing venues in the Mediterranean. Located along the Catalan coast, the race area benefits from reliable sea breezes, open sea conditions, and world-class sailing infrastructure.
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The Barcelona International Sailing Center (BISC) provides modern facilities, a large boat park, and direct access to the race area.​ Thanks to its Olympic sailing legacy and its strong maritime culture, Barcelona has become one of the leading international venues for high-performance sailing events.
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Role in the Tour
As the Opening Act of the F18 European Tour, the Barcelona event sets the tone for the season.
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The results will establish the first standings of the circuit, giving teams an early opportunity to position themselves in the overall ranking before the following events in La Rochelle, Lake Como, and Hellevoetsluis.​ With international crews gathering for the start of the season, the event will mark the official launch of the European Tour.
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Logistics
The event venue is located at the Barcelona International Sailing Center (BISC) within the Port Forum area.​ Competitors will benefit from dedicated facilities including a boat park, launching areas, and trailer parking, with direct access to the race area.
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Registration and equipment inspection will take place on 23 and 24 April, with racing scheduled from 24 to 26 April, and up to twelve races planned during the event depending on conditions.​ Barcelona’s international airport, extensive accommodation options and vibrant waterfront make the city a particularly attractive destination for international teams.
ACT 2 – La Rochelle Act
La Rochelle, France
14–17 May 2026
Event Overview
The second event of the F18 European Tour 2026 takes place in La Rochelle, France, from 14 to 17 May 2026, as part of the traditional Semaine de La Rochelle, one of the major sailing gatherings on the French Atlantic coast.
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Organised by La Rochelle Nautique, the regatta brings together several classes of dinghies and catamarans, including the Formula 18 European Tour, creating a vibrant multi-class sailing festival.​ Following the Opening Act in Barcelona, the La Rochelle event marks the first Atlantic stop of the circuit and gathers international crews on one of France’s most active sailing venues.
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The Venue
The event takes place at Port des Minimes, one of the largest marinas in Europe, located at the entrance of the Bay of La Rochelle.
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With more than 5,000 berths, the harbour is a major centre for sailing activity and offshore racing. The race area, located just outside the harbour entrance, offers open Atlantic conditions, steady winds and dynamic sea states ideal for high-performance catamaran racing.​ In May, sailing conditions are often shaped by thermal sea breezes combined with Atlantic weather systems, creating varied and tactical racing conditions.
The Club
The event is organised by La Rochelle Nautique, a club created in 2021 from the merger of two historic sailing institutions of the city: the Société des Régates Rochelaises, founded more than 150 years ago, and the École de Voile Rochelaise.
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Combining a strong heritage of regatta organisation with modern training facilities, the club brings together recreational sailors, youth programmes and high-performance athletes under the same banner.​ Located at the heart of Port des Minimes, the club benefits from modern nautical facilities built by the City of La Rochelle and direct access to one of France’s most iconic sailing areas.
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Role in the Tour
As the second act of the F18 European Tour, the La Rochelle event plays an important role in shaping the early standings of the circuit.
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After the opening event in Barcelona, teams will compete to consolidate their position in the overall ranking before the decisive stages of the season, including the European Championship at Lake Como and the Final Act in the Netherlands.
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Logistics
Competitors will be welcomed at La Rochelle Nautique, located within Port des Minimes, where boat park facilities and launching areas provide efficient access to the race area.
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Registration and equipment checks will take place on 13 and 14 May, with racing scheduled from 14 to 17 May. Several races per day are planned depending on weather conditions, followed by social events including a welcome reception and a competitors’ dinner during the regatta.​ With its lively harbour atmosphere, historic city centre and strong sailing culture, La Rochelle offers an ideal environment for international sailing events.
ACT 3 – European Championship
Lake Como – Dervio, Italy
3–10 July 2026
Event Overview
The third act of the F18 European Tour 2026 takes place on the legendary Lake Como, in the town of Dervio, from 3 to 10 July 2026.
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Organised by the Consorzio Circoli Velici Lariani (Ultimario) in cooperation with the Italian Sailing Federation, the event will host the 2026 Formula 18 European Championship, bringing together the strongest teams of the continent.​ Founded in 1988, the consortium brings together six sailing clubs around Lake Como and has more than 35 years of experience organising international sailing events, including world and European championships across many classes.
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The Venue
Lake Como is one of the most iconic sailing venues in Europe. Surrounded by steep alpine mountains, the lake generates reliable thermal winds, creating ideal racing conditions for high-performance catamarans.
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The lake is famous for its daily wind system: the Tivano, a morning breeze from the north, and the Breva, a steady thermal wind from the south that typically builds during the afternoon at 13–15 knots.​ These consistent wind patterns combined with the dramatic alpine scenery make the northern part of the lake, around Dervio and Bellano, a renowned sailing area for international regattas.
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The Clubs
The event is organised by the Consorzio Circoli Velici Lariani, a network of sailing clubs located along both shores of Lake Como, including Centro Vela Dervio, Circolo Vela Bellano, Associazione Velica Alto Lario and several other partner clubs.
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Together they operate modern nautical bases, boat parks, slipways and clubhouses across the region, allowing large international fleets to be hosted efficiently.​ With more than 1,800 members and extensive facilities, the consortium has built a strong reputation as one of the main sailing hubs in northern Italy.
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Role in the Tour
As the central act of the European Tour, the F18 European Championship is expected to play a decisive role in the overall standings of the circuit.​ With maximum points at stake, the event will gather the most competitive crews of the season and significantly influence the final ranking of the F18 European Tour 2026.
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Logistics
The event will be hosted primarily in Dervio, where race headquarters, launching areas and technical facilities are located close to the race area.
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The region benefits from strong logistical support and a well-developed tourism infrastructure, offering numerous accommodation options along the lake.​ The nearby towns of Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzo, together with the spectacular alpine landscape of Lake Como, make the championship not only a major sporting event but also a unique international sailing destination.
ACT 4 – Final Act
Hellevoetsluis, The Netherlands
25–27 September 2026
Event Overview
The fourth and final event of the F18 European Tour 2026 takes place in Hellevoetsluis, The Netherlands, from 25 to 27 September 2026, on the waters of the Haringvliet.
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Organised by Catamaranvereniging Hellecat, in conjunction with the F18 and F16 Class Associations under the auspices of the Royal Netherlands Watersport Association (RNWA), the event will also host the F18 Open Dutch Championship and the F16 Open Class Championship.​ As the closing event of the European circuit, the regatta will determine the final standings of the F18 European Tour 2026.
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The Venue
The racing will take place on the Haringvliet, a large inland sea located in the southwest of the Netherlands and directly connected to the historic harbour town of Hellevoetsluis.
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This protected yet expansive body of water offers excellent sailing conditions for high-performance catamarans, combining open water, steady winds and relatively flat seas.​ In late September, the area typically benefits from stable North Sea wind systems, providing reliable breeze and tactical racing conditions.​ The race area is located close to the coast, allowing spectators to follow the competition from the shoreline and the nearby beaches of Quackstrand.
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The Club
The event is hosted by Catamaranvereniging Hellecat, one of the most active catamaran sailing clubs in the Netherlands.
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Located directly on the waterfront near Quackstrand, the club has a long tradition of organising international catamaran events and championships.​ Its clubhouse, boat park and direct beach access provide an ideal setting for launching high-performance multihulls and welcoming international fleets.
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Role in the Tour
As the Final Act of the F18 European Tour, the event in Hellevoetsluis will determine the overall winners of the circuit.​ After the previous events in Barcelona, La Rochelle, and the European Championship at Lake Como, the Dutch championship will provide the final opportunity for teams to secure their position in the overall ranking.​ With maximum points still at stake, the regatta promises a highly competitive and dramatic conclusion to the season.
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Logistics
The event headquarters and race office will be located at the Hellecat clubhouse, situated at Duinweg 11B, Hellevoetsluis, directly adjacent to the sailing area.
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Boats can be brought to the venue from Thursday 24 September, with launching from the beach area near the club.​ Registration and equipment checks will take place on Friday morning, followed by racing from 25 to 27 September, with up to four races scheduled per day depending on conditions.​ The regatta will conclude with a prize giving ceremony during which the overall winners of the F18 European Tour 2026 will be officially crowned.
