About

Welcome to the iShares Cup, Marseille, where top international sailor Sébastien Josse will showcase Extreme 40 sailing at its very best.  Joining Josse at this event will be some of the world’s top America’s Cup, Round the World and Olympic sailors who will to go head-to-head in the second instalment of this summer’s action-packed sailing series.

The 2007 iShares Cup consists of four premier regattas held in Munich, Marseilles, Cowes and Amsterdam.  Racing will take place as close to shore as possible giving spectators a close-up view of all the thrills and spills that the Extreme 40 catamaran class has to offer. 

Marseille brings new challenges to the Extreme 40 fleet.  With the possibility of  good sea breezes and an ocean swell, handling these racing thoroughbreds will be all the more challenging for the crews.  Racing these catamarans is a balancing act – flying one hull for optimum speed is the objective – but one false move can result in a potential race-ending capsize.

Extreme 40s are crewed by four sailors with an exclusive ‘fifth man’ spot given over to a VIP guest or media – a unique chance to ride shotgun and see these professional crews in action at close quarters.


Marseille :: Provence :: France

Located in southeast France on the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille is encircled by a ring of hills and white cliffs.  This ancient yet cosmopolitan city stretches 50 kilometres along the coast, basking in brilliant sunshine and brushed by warm mistral winds.

Over the course of its 2,500-year history, Marseille has become France’s second largest city with a metropolitan area exceeding 1.2 million in population.

As the leading commercial port in France, Marseille is rich in nautical tradition dating back to 600 AD when the Greek sailors of Phocaea stepped onto dry land on the site that is now known as the Vieux Port and founded the city.

The Vieux Port is the hub of Marseille, lined by Quays, filled with fishing boats and yachts and surrounded by small streets teeming with terraced restaurants, shops and markets. 

The Extreme 40 fleet will be berthed in front of the Hôtel de Ville at the Quai D’Honneur and all the racing action can be viewed from Le Roucas Blanc and the beach with live commentary.

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iShares Cup, Marseille

07.07.07