In weather conditions tailor-made to showcase the 253 boats gathered by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez for this great regatta festival, the Maxis, Traditions, and Moderns enjoyed an exceptional week. Following the Maxis’ prize-giving ceremony last night, it is now the turn of the Moderns and Traditions to be honored today, as everyone gathered to receive the numerous trophies awarded by the loyal partners of Les Voiles. It was also an opportunity to take stock of a 28th edition that will serve as a benchmark.
Pierre Roinson, President of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez:
Moments of grace
” Every year, our question is how to do even better! We were spoiled by the extraordinary line-up with 51 Maxis, including the 3 J Class boats which were a clear attraction and delivered an incredible regatta. Simply seeing a J Class or Elena of London leave the port provides moments of grace. So, our first stroke of luck is these formidable boats. It was an exceptional year for us in several respects, with the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Gitana saga and the 20th anniversary of the Rolex Trophy. Furthermore, the weather was once again on our side, and all the regattas were contested in near-ideal conditions, with wind and sun. And then, of course, there are the sailors and the atmosphere. The crew parade was extraordinary; more and more boats are participating, and the participants put in great effort with their costumes—we are returning to the spirit of the Nioulargue. We also found this spirit during the Club 55 Cup, where Camille, Patrice de Colmont’s daughter, came to welcome the crews on the pontoon, just as her father used to do. It was a very beautiful day.
All week long, the atmosphere on shore was wonderful. Last night, an orchestra on the balcony of the Sube responded to another group below; people were dancing on the quay, it was brilliant. Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez still drew more than 75,000 people per day, and what is fabulous is that the spirit and atmosphere are good, with nearly 4,000 sailors in the port who are always strong personalities!
In parallel, on the organizational side, we have significantly improved the layout of the village, its flow, and the quality of the welcome. The lounge area—renamed the Club des Voiles—was a hit with our partners. That won’t stop us from brainstorming for next year to find ways to do even better!
Already, perhaps the J Class will return in greater numbers in 2027. And I also have the objective of organizing a duel between Shamrock and Endeavour, which are the only two surviving J Class boats from the 1930s. It would be wonderful to have this piece of history at Les Voiles, and I believe it would please the entire community that supports us. Also at the moment, the new owner of Ikra, Marcos Vivian de la Pedrosa, is carrying out a high-level refit of his 12m JI in England. He could reenact in 2027 the first Challenge that launched the Nioulargue in 1981 against Pride, the most loyal of the loyal, which is in competition condition. It would be a wonderful nod to the past! “
Georges Korhel, Principal Race Officer:
The crews’ feedback is excellent
“This is the edition of happiness! The feedback from the crews is excellent; we had modified the courses so that there would be action all the time, and despite a wind locked in from the East all week, it was a success. The committees launched a maximum number of races, which is easy at Pampelonne with the robotic buoys. The J-Class started after the Maxis 1 and had the entire race area to themselves; they appreciated it. They are extraordinary machines and they are already talking about coming back next year.
An image that stays with me? That of the schooner Atlantic on Wednesday taking the start outside the line and “making amends” by doing a 360° between the buoy and the quay! She didn’t spin on herself like a Laser, but not far off—it was magnificent!
For next year, we have two areas of reflection: We need to find a solution to create longer courses for the IRC 0 because they are really very fast.
And on the Maxis side, we are considering the opportunity to have them finish the coastal races in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez rather than at Pampelonne. The spectacle would benefit, certain owners are calling for it, but for the moment they are not necessarily in the majority when we poll the entire fleet, because it raises safety questions. The idea will make its way!
This year, I welcomed Corinne Aubert for three days, as part of the transition that we are going to implement over two seasons. Next year, she will be there all week at my side. She will be the Principal Race Officer for the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles; she is a heavyweight and on the sporting level, she is highly competent. Now, she needs to familiarize herself with Les Voiles, which is a very particular competition and where the role of Principal Race Officer is very political, with an important relational component with the owners. They are the ones who create the spectacle, they have expectations and we must listen to them. I will remain there as backup and to enjoy the event—this was my 28th edition this year, that creates a certain attachment! “
They were at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez:
Guillermo Altadil, Christophe Babule, Ed Baird, Sébastien Bazin, Emma Bazin, Annemieke Bes, Francesco Bruni, Brad Butterworth, Dee Caffari, Pierre Casiraghi, Charles Caudrelier, Paul Cayard, Aymeric Chappellier, Tommaso Chieffi, Gilles Chiorri, William Collier, Sir Andrew Cook, HM King Frederik X of Denmark, Géraldine Danon, Tom Dawson, Francesco de Angelis, Bertrand de Broc, Ariane de Rothschild, Louise Debeaumont, Pascale Decaux, Fabien Delahaye, Peter Dubens, Dominique Dubois, Eric Dumont, Thierry Fouchier, Charlotte Franquet, Tara Getty, Torben Grael, Peter Harrison, Boris Herrmann, Damien Iehl, Bill Jayson, Arnaud Jerald, Bruno Jourdren, Stephan Kandler, Georges Korhel, Kyle Langford, Devan Le Bihan, Pierre Le Roy, Arthur Le Vaillant, Pier Luigi Loro Piana, Mikael Mergui, Elodie-Jeanne Mettraux, Corinne Migraine, Philippe Monnet, Patrick Monterio de Barros, Joe Newton, Sir Peter Ogden, Sir Lindsay Owen Jones, Marc Pajot, Lionel Péan, Mauro Pelaschier, Laurent Petit, Loïck Peyron, Laura Poupon, Frédéric Puzin, Ken Read, Geiger Reinold, Wendy Schmidt, Jochen Schuemann, Jimmy Spithill, Marie Tabarly, Bruno Troublé, Maurits Van Oranje, Marcel Van Triest, Tom Whidden.
All the Trophies of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2026
MAXIS
Town of Saint-Tropez Cup for the first Maxi in all categories
Winner: Blue Oyster (Andrew Fitzamurice/Luca Scoppa)
Yacht Club de France Trophy,
Tampion, presented to Ariane de Rothschild
Edmond de Rothschild Trophy for the best Maxi 1
Winner: Jethou (Sir Peter Ogden) 6 points
2nd: V (Karel Komarek) 9 points
3rd: Balthasar (Filip Balcaen) 12 points
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Trophy for the best Maxi 2
Winner: Lyra (Terry Hui) 5 points
2nd: Twin Soul B (Luciano Guandini) 7 points
3rd: Astra 1 (Marcos Vivian) 12 points
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Trophy for the best Maxi 3
Winner: Yoru (Luigi Sala) 6 points
2nd: Why Not (Lasse Petterson) 6 points
3rd: Wallyno (Benoit de Froidmont) 9 points
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Trophy for the best Maxi 4
Winner: Blue Oyster (Andrew Fitzamurice/Luca Scoppa) 4 points
2nd: Crazy Diamond (Enzo Pellizzaro) 10 points
3rd: Atalante (Ulrich Volz) 13 points
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Trophy for the best J Class
Winner: Svea (Niklas Zennström) 9 points, also receives the Corinthian King’s Cup for the best owner-driver awarded by the J Class.
2nd: Rainbow (Peter Harrison) 9 points
3rd: Hanuman (Giovanni Lombardi Stronati) 10 points
IMA Maxi Mediterranean Inshore Challenge Cup Trophy
Winner: V (Karel Komarek), Maxi 1
Wally Trophy
Winner: Kilara II (Jérémy Weir)
Trophy for the best crew parade:
Winner: Beautiful day (USA)
Joint favorites: Easy Blue (Les Moustachus)
Also rewarded: Coco des Mers (Coco Chanel parade) and Saida (Fantomas)
TRADITIONS
ROLEX Trophy for the best P Class
Winner: Olympian (Philippe Oddo) 3 points
2nd: Chips (Bernard Liautaud) 5 points
3rd: Joyant (Stephan Lobmeyr) 7 points
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Trophy for the best yacht in the Big Boat category
Winner: Elena of London (Stephen Benfield) 4 points
2nd: Sumurun (Hugues Boullenger) 5 points
3rd: Lelantina (Patrick Gibert) 7 points
Marines de Cogolin Trophy for the best yacht in the Grand Tradition category
Winner: Tuiga (Jimmy Spithill) 4 points
2nd: Viveka (Gery Atkins) 4 points
3rd: Mariella (Carlo Falcone) 8 points
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Trophy for the best yacht in the Gaff Period category
Winner: Kizmet (Sir Richard Matthews) 3 points
2nd: Oriole (Juan Carlos Eguiagaray) 5 points
3rd: Marilee (Mateo Tacconi) 9 points
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Trophy for the best yacht in the Marconi Period A category
Winner: Leonore (Mauro Piani) 4 points
2nd: Falcon (Patricio Monteiro de Barros) 10 points
3rd: Carron II (Angelo Mazzarella) 10 points
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Trophy for the best yacht in the Marconi Period B category
Winner: Lak II (Cian O’Carroll) 3 points
2nd: Harlekin (Jean-Yves Redor) 7 points
3rd: One Wave (William Borel) 9 points
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Trophy for the best yacht in the Classic Marconi A category
Winner: Maria Giovanina II (Jean Pierre Sauvan) 3 points
2nd: Palynodie II (Henri Ferbus) 6 points
3rd: Dambuster (Nicholas Hill) 10 points
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Trophy for the best yacht in the Classic Marconi B category
Winner: Eugenia V (Baptiste Garnier) 3 points
2nd: Star Sapphire (Jacob Glaz) 6 points
3rd: Albacore (Luis Figueiredo) 7 points
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Trophy for the best 12m JI
Winner: Kiwi Magic (Marianne Petersen) 4 points
2nd: French Kiss (Marc Pajot) 4 points
3rd: France (Christophe Bereloot) 8 points
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Trophy for the best yacht in the IOR category
Winner: Resolute Salmon (Alberto Franchella) 3 points
2nd: Encounter (Bart Weduwer) 6 points
3rd: Ornella (Hugues Destremau) 7 points
Centenary Trophy, awarded by the Gstaad Yacht Club
Winner: Kismet (Sir Richard Matthews)
Trophy for the best crew parade:
Winner: Belle Aventure and its circus
Favorite: Star Sapphire (Les Mignons)
MODERN
BMW Trophy for the best IRC 0
Winner: Spirit Of Lorina (Marcello Pica – Jean Pierre Barjon) 7 points
2nd: Interlodge IV (Gwen Fragomen) 14 points
3rd: Nanoq (H.M King Frederik of Denmark) 15 points
BRIG Trophy for the best IRC 1
Winner: Lisa R (Giovanni de Vincenzo) 6 points
2nd: Prétexte 2 (Jérémy Lagarrigue) 9 points
3rd: Searcher 2 (Pete Smith) 18 points
Suzuki Marine Trophy for the best IRC 2
Winner: J Wow (Andrej Tschirikow) 7 points
2nd: Fremito d’Arja (Dario Levi) 8 points
3rd: Fligh of Durgan (David Grylis) 12 points
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Trophy for the best IRC 3
Winner: Topas (Dr Harald Bruning) 7 points
2nd: Pride (William Grave) 9 points
3rd: Letto di Pletto (Rainer Badent) 9 points
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Trophy for the best IRC 4
Winner: Overdose Neo (Lilyan Bretagne) 9 points
2nd: Iskareen (Arnt Bruhns) 11 points
3rd: Corto Maltese (Michele Colosante) 13 points
Club 55 Maxi Yacht Cup
Winner: Tilakkhana II(Pascale Decaux)
Club 55 Yacht Cup
Winner: Hallowe’en (Inigo Strez)
Pétanque Competition:
Winner: Mad IV (Christophe Lenoir, Serge Bazzano and Nicolas Bardes)
Finalist: Black Legend 4 (Julien, Valentine and Anne-Sophie)
Trophy for the best crew parade:
Winner: Dialix (La Boule Tropézienne)
Favorites: Raving Swan (Mini mousse) and Capitainerie Astérix et Obélix et Cie/ Les bagnards de la nautique
PARTNERS OF LES VOILES DE SAINT-TROPEZ
Major Partner
ROLEX
Premium Partners
BMW
EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD
Preferred Partners
WALLY
SUZUKI MARINE
BRIG
Associated Partners
VSC CORPORATE RECOVERY CONSULTING
PORT DES MARINES DE COGOLIN
NORTH SAILS
Suppliers
MERCANTOUR EVENTS
BYBLOS
PEPINIERE DU GOLFE
CHAMPAGNE BARONS DE ROTHSCHILD
CHATEAU SAINT-MAUR CRU CLASSE
MAITRES VIGNERONS DE LA PRESQU’ILE DE SAINT-TROPEZ
TIKAMOON
L’ECOLE DU LUXE
Institutional Partners of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
VILLE DE SAINT-TROPEZ
PORT DE SAINT-TROPEZ
SAINT-TROPEZ TOURISME
ESPRIT VILLAGE A SAINT-TROPEZ
FEDERATION FRANÇAISE DE VOILE
YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE
INTERNATIONAL MAXI ASSOCIATION
COMITE INTERNATIONAL DE LA MEDITERRANEE
Organization
Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, President: Pierre Roinson
Principal Race Officer: Georges Korhel
Registrations: Frédérique Fantino
Sea Safety: Gilles Doyen
Logistics and Supply: Alice Coquant
Communication, External Relations: Chloé de Brouwer
Internet
www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr
www.societe-nautique-saint-tropez.fr
Instagram: les_voiles_de_saint_tropez
Facebook: les Voiles de Saint-Tropez officiel
X (ex-Twitter): @VoilesSTOrg
Youtube: Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Officiel
Media Production
Writing: Pierre-Marie Bourguinat
Video: Guilain Grenier, Images 6 G Production/SNST
Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget
Press Relations: Maguelonne Turcat
