2026 European Tour – General Regulations published

Preamble

The F18 European Tour 2026 marks the launch of a new continental circuit aimed at structuring and strengthening the Formula 18, the world reference class in sport catamarans.

The objective is to organize the calendar around strong and clearly identified events. Fewer regattas, but better coordinated, better spaced and more attractive competitions.

The circuit is built around four major regattas organized in four European countries, ideally spaced to encourage maximum participation and improved sporting visibility throughout the season.
The overall ranking is established on the basis of the three best results obtained by each crew across the four events of the circuit.

When the World Championship takes place in Europe, it is automatically integrated into the Tour.

When organized outside Europe, the European Championship constitutes the central event of the circuit.

The ambition of the International F18 Class Association is to establish the European Tour as a long term structure, becoming the backbone of the F18 calendar in Europe and an annual flagship event for the entire community.

A dedicated website will open soon at: https://www.f18europeantour.com

Click here to download General Regulations document under .pdf.

1. Circuit Authority

The F18 European Tour 2026 is coordinated by the European Tour Organizing Authority (AOET), under the supervision of the International F18 Class Association (IF18CA).

Each event remains organized under its own organizing authority and is governed by its own Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions.

These General Regulations exclusively govern:

• The overall ranking of the F18 European Tour 2026
• The points allocation system
• The crew consistency rules

2. Events Constituting the Circuit

The F18 European Tour 2026 consists of four (4) events:

Act 1 – Barcelona (Spain) 24 to 26 April 2026

Act 2 – La Rochelle (France) 14 to 17 May 2026

3. Applicable Rules

The overall ranking of the Tour is established on the basis of:

• The official final results published for each Act;
• These 2026 General Regulations.

Boats must comply with the F18 Class Rules in force as of 1 March 2026.

In the event of a dispute relating to the overall ranking of the Tour, these Regulations shall prevail.
The European Tour Organizing Authority (AOET) shall have sole authority to interpret these Regulations and issue a final decision.

4. Competitor Eligibility

Competitors shall:

• Comply with the eligibility requirements of World Sailing;
• Be members in good standing of their respective National F18 Class Association or, failing that, of the International F18 Class Association, and have paid their membership fees prior to the start of the first Act they compete in;
• Comply with the insurance requirements established by each Act.

5. Participation in the F18 European Tour

All crews participating in one or more Acts of the circuit shall automatically appear in the F18 European Tour 2026 ranking.

Only crews complying with the eligibility requirements set out in Article 4 may be ranked.

6. Crew Consistency and Identification Rule

To be ranked in the overall standings of the F18 European Tour 2026, a team must comply with the
following conditions:

• Be entered under a declared team name, identical across all Acts sailed;
• Declare a reference crew composed of two members;
• One (1) replacement is permitted;
• A second replacement is permitted in the event of participation in more than three (3) Acts;
• Any additional replacement or complete change of crew shall result in the creation of a new team.

7. Points Allocation

For each Act of the F18 European Tour 2026, points are awarded on the basis of the official final overall ranking published by the organizing authority of the event.

The scoring system includes:

• A performance component of up to 100 points;
• A fixed participation bonus of 20 points.

For an Act with N boats classified, points are calculated according to the following formula:
Points = 20 + ((N – P) × 100) / (N – 1)
where:

• N = total number of boats classified in the Act;
• P = finishing position of the crew in the final overall ranking.

Accordingly:

• The winner receives 120 points (100 performance points + 20 participation bonus points);
• The last classified boat receives 20 points (0 performance points + 20 participation bonus points).

Points are calculated to two decimal places, with no intermediate rounding.

In the event of multiple fleets (Gold / Silver or equivalent), the ranking shall be considered continuous across

8. Overall Ranking

The final overall ranking is established on the basis of the three (3) best results obtained by each
team.

• In the event of participation in four (4) Acts, the lowest result shall be discarded;
• In the event of participation in three (3) Acts or fewer, all results shall count;
• For any Act not sailed, no points (0) shall be awarded.
  The team with the highest total number of points shall be declared
  “Winner of the F18 European Tour 2026.”

9. Tie-Break

In the event of a tie on points in the final overall ranking, the tie shall be broken as follows:

• Best result obtained in Act 3;
• Failing that, or if not all concerned teams participated in Act 3, best individual result obtained in any Act sailed, expressed in points scored.

10. Trophies and Awards

The F18 European Tour 2026 features a single overall ranking.

At the conclusion of Act 4, the following trophies shall be awarded:

• Overall Ranking Winner;
• Master Trophy (crew composed of two members aged 50 years or older on 31/12/2026);
• Women’s Trophy (crew helmed by a woman)
• Youth Trophy (crew composed of two members aged 26 years or younger on 31/12/2026);
• Mixed Trophy (crew composed of one female and one male member);
• Family Trophy (crew composed of members of the same direct family).

These distinctions are awarded on the basis of the single overall ranking.

11. Media Rights and Image Rights

Competitors authorize the AOET and the IF18CA to use their name, image, results and photographs taken in connection with the Acts of the Tour for communication purposes, without financial compensation.

12. Risk Statement

RRS 3 applies.

The decision of a boat to participate in an event or to continue racing is her sole responsibility.

The organizing authorities of the Acts and the AOET shall not be held liable for any material damage, personal injury, or death.