Act 1 Barcelona – Final Results
PRESS RELEASE – F18 EUROPEAN TOUR 2026
Barcelona, April 2026
The F18 European Tour 2026 officially kicked off from April 24 to 26 in Barcelona, bringing together 22 teams from 10 nations for the first stage of this brand-new European circuit. Although three days were scheduled, only two days of racing could be completed. Sailors managed to race six races on Friday and Saturday in light wind conditions ranging between 5 and 7 knots. On Sunday, the wind filled in too late to allow another race to be started, despite competitors waiting ashore.
An international fleet and a high level of competition
This first edition confirms the strong interest in a structured European circuit capable of bringing together the best teams from each country.
As highlighted by Olivier Bovyn, President of the International F18 Class:
« For a first edition, participation is excellent and the level particularly high, with ten nations represented. It is a real success. Bringing together as many teams as possible from each country across several events creates a positive and motivating dynamic, encouraging sharing, competition, and overall fleet progression. »
A dominant family victory
Victory went to the Dutch team Hans Van Dam and Marius Van Dam (son and father), after six highly competitive races, with five race wins, confirming a clear dominance throughout the event.
« The level was particularly high for this first event. We are very happy to win here, especially as we had to deal with a physical issue for my father. We are really looking forward to the next events. » – Hans Van Dam
They finished ahead of the French team Cédric Bader and Yves Peters, and the Belgian team Patrick Demesmaeker and Gilles Tas, completing an international podium.
A venue and organisation to match the event
The event took place at the Barcelona International Sailing Center (BISC), which provided outstanding hosting conditions. Facilities, boat parking, launching ramp, catering and accommodation: everything was centralized, making logistics simple and efficient.
« The event was a real success. The F18 class is extremely competitive and we were able to complete six races in light conditions. Even though we could not run the final race, the championship remains of a very high standard. » – Carlos Motta, Event Manager, BISC
A very encouraging momentum
With more than 20 boats competing, this first stage exceeded expectations.
« For a first event, it is very encouraging, especially after seasons where some national championships gathered fewer participants. » – Cédric Bader
« It was a real pleasure to welcome teams from ten nations. We hope to host this event again in Spain next year and double the number of participants. » – Fabian Migoya, President of the Spanish F18 Class
A circuit under construction, with a clear ambition
The ambition of the F18 European Tour is clear: to structure a circuit of four major European events, spaced approximately two months apart. The long-term calendar structure is expected to be:
Late March• Mid-May• Early July• Late September
The objective is twofold: to extend the sailing season while maintaining a schedule compatible with professional and family commitments.
The F18 remains a particularly successful platform: a high-performance, accessible and highly enjoyable sport catamaran, both on windward-leeward courses and long-distance racing. Its proven design allows a wide range of sailors to compete together, from young teams to mixed crews, senior sailors and former high-level athletes.
Already looking ahead to 2027
The next edition is already in preparation, with the first event scheduled for March 19, 20 and 21, 2027. The exact location remains to be confirmed, with a clear intention to select the most favorable early-season conditions, as far south as possible in Europe.
Next stop: La Rochelle
Attention now turns to the second stage of the circuit, to be held in La Rochelle from May 14 to 17, 2026, which is expected to confirm the strong momentum seen in Barcelona, with around 30 boats expected. Rumors also suggest the return of teams who shaped the golden years of the F18 class, preparing a comeback for this event, further enhancing its competitive appeal.
Final Overall Results – Act 1 Barcelona
| Pos | Crew | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Net |
| 1 | 🇳🇱 Hans & Marius VAN DAM | (2) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 2 | 🇫🇷 Cédric BADER / Yves PETERS | 6 | (7) | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 21 |
| 3 | 🇧🇪 Patrick DEMESMAEKER / Gilles TAS | 5 | 3 | 5 | 2 | (8) | 7 | 22 |
| 4 | 🇫🇷 Emeric DARY / David FANOUVILLERE | 4 | 5 | 2 | (8) | 4 | 8 | 23 |
| 5 | 🇫🇷 Emmanuel & Jeom BOULOGNE | 3 | 8 | 4 | OCS(23) | 7 | 5 | 27 |
| 6 | 🇫🇷 Victorien ERUSSARD / Frédéric MOREAU | 1 | (10) | 6 | 9 | 2 | 10 | 28 |
| 7 | 🇫🇮 Mikko & Kirsikka RÄISÄNEN | 10 | 2 | 9 | OCS(23) | 6 | 2 | 29 |
| 8 | 🇫🇮 Victor SILEN / Anssi MUIKKU | DNS(23) | 6 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 30 |
| 9 | 🇮🇹 Marco GAMBARDELLA / Felice CUPANE | 9 | 4 | 7 | 3 | (14) | 13 | 36 |
| 10 | 🇫🇷 Clément PEDUZZI / Blondeau MAXIME | 11 | 16 | 8 | 4 | (19) | 9 | 48 |
| 11 | 🇧🇪 Wim VAN ACKER / Stam PATTYM | 13 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 9 | (16) | 50 |
| 12 | 🇸🇪 Fredrik KARLSSON / Niklas NORDBLOM | 12 | 13 | (14) | 11 | 13 | 6 | 55 |
| 13 | 🇪🇸 Fabian MIGOYA / Alberto TORNÉ | 7 | (17) | 11 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 55 |
| 14 | 🇩🇰 Tom BOJLAND / Charlotte ENGELSEN | 8 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | (15) | 57 |
| 15 | 🇳🇱 Peter VAN DEN BERG / Jonas SCHARES | (16) | 14 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 66 |
| 16 | 🇮🇹 Giovanni BARRAJA / Ignazio BARBERI | 17 | 11 | 16 | DSQ(23) | 15 | 11 | 70 |
| 17 | 🇧🇪 Frederik VALCKE / Pepijn RAEYMAEKERS | 15 | 18 | (20) | 13 | 17 | 14 | 77 |
| 18 | 🇪🇸 Robert & Oliver FIJNHEER | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | (18) | 18 | 79 |
| 19 | 🇫🇷 Thierry LLONCH / Philippe HYOUNET | 18 | (19) | 18 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 87 |
| 20 | 🇪🇸 Wyatt ORSMOND / Julio CAMACHO AGÜERA | 19 | (20) | 19 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 95 |
| 21 | 🇪🇸 Philip GRIFFITHS JONES | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 115 |
| 21 | 🇩🇪 Dirk BLEIKER | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 115 |
Source: Sailti Scoring – Official results | Updated: 26/04/2026
Press kit & high-resolution images
👉 Access press kit (Google Drive)
Photo credits: © Françoise Bovyn
Circuit organisation
Email: contact@f18europeantour.com Website: www.f18europeantour.com
Press contact
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International F18 Class
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