The first major event is the Tour de la Martinique in round skiffs.
First of all, the word “yole” comes from the Dutch “jol”, meaning “light, elongated boat with a shallow draught”.
Originally, these boats were used by the island’s fishermen. Today, it has become a much-loved local sport.
The yole’s operating principle is complex.
These boats are equipped with a sail, sometimes two, stretched over a diagonal yard, which propels the boat forward.
As the boat has no keel to counterbalance it, crew members have to keep their balance to avoid capsizing. Sometimes, they even have to hang from the bwa on the outside of the yawl.
The race takes place in several stages, 7 in all, starting from Fort-de-France.
It’s a much-anticipated event every year, allowing the different towns on the island to compete against each other.
However, the ever-increasing presence of sargassum is making navigation more complex and threatening the event.
The Martinique cata raid is organized every year by the Wind Force yacht club in Le Robert.
It’s a week-long race that takes place all around the island. A total of 5 stages are scheduled, for a total distance of just over 300 nautical miles (approx. 555 km).
The boats used for this event are formula 16 or 18 catamarans, which are ideal for racing.
The start of the Martinique Cata Raid is usually in Robert Bay on Martinique’s Atlantic coast. This is where the racers are welcomed, and it’s an ideal playground for warming up and testing the various sports catamarans, which usually arrive by cargo ship. Many international racers come here to compete.
The bay of Robert offers an idyllic setting for the competitors, who can slalom between the islets and the white seabed, sheltered by the coral reef. Accompanying adults can enjoy a wonderful day’s sailing in the islets of Robert on the sailboat Dénébola. It is possible to complete a group or to privatize the sailboat.
Reservations can be made directly online.
The first stop on Martinique’s Atlantic coast is the Caravelle peninsula and its mythical rock, much frequented by superb frigate birds, which are responsible for its whitish color.
The passage between the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts of Martinique is not the easiest stage, but the spectacle of the magnificent cliffs along the marigot to Grand Rivière is breathtaking.
The passage past the îlet la Perle is the gateway to Martinique’s Caribbean coast, where the swell and wind will die down, giving way to a more strategic race in search of reefs.
The venturi effect as they pass the bay of Saint Pierre puts a lot of wind back into the sails.
Fort-de-France Bay, considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world, is a lively stopover point.
This event is organized by the Schoelcher sailing club.
It is the most important light sailing regatta in the Caribbean.
In fact, it attracts almost a hundred competitors, mainly from Europe, the Caribbean islands and the Americas.
The event is also comprehensive in terms of disciplines. There are sport catamarans, windsurfing, windfoils, lasers, optimists and even liveaboards.
Those accompanying you will appreciate a few relaxing days to discover the island of Martinique. If you’re a sailing enthusiast, we suggest you come and discover Martinique’s Atlantic coast during a day on a sailboat at Les îlets et fonds blancs du Robert.
The Cap-Martinique is a race linking the town of Trinité-sur-Mer in Brittany to Fort-de-France in Martinique. There are no legs, and racers have a total of 3800 miles to cover, or around 7000 kilometers.
It’s possible to compete alone or as a duo on the boat. All boats measure between 10 and 12 meters. They must carry the colors of a sustainable development cause to give it a certain visibility during the race and in the villages.
In each town, both at the start in La Trinité-sur-Mer and at the finish in Martinique, there is a festive village open to the public.
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