Pro-Am Cup preview

Racing starts today between professionals and amateurs in Marseilles

The international Pro-Am Cup starts today in Marseilles, France. This is a unique regatta where 20 professional and amateur skippers will compete on equal terms. Six guest stars have accepted an invite to come and defend their reputations as a professional skippers in a discipline which is not familiar to everyone : one-design inshore regatta. Legends like Loïck Peyron, Franck Cammas, Bertrand Pacé and Jochen Schumann will be among the rock stars competing this year.

This event was brought about by K-Yachting International and was first held in 1997 and is run under ISAF (International Sailing Federation) rules. Each day the competitors are put through 2-3 windward-leeward courses over the regatta duration with points being given according to the finishing order (1 point to the first, 2 points to the second, etc.)

Registration took place yesterday and gave the boats time to prepare and warm up. Most of the boats decided to sail out of the harbour to enjoy the warm sun and light wind, tune the sails, sharpen the reflexes and check out the competition before a 10.00 am start today. Their first day is due some sun with a calm sea and an easterly 15 to 20 knots which will turn southeasterly in the afternoon.

Entry list on page two..