Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, September 29 – October 8: Thursday September 14
For the 25th edition of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez’s famous autumn event, which takes place from Friday September 29 to Sunday October 8, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez offers a cocktail of novelties and traditions, reflecting the very essence of the event. More than 250 boats in three fleets – Maxis, Moderns and Classics – will put on a show on the water, while the Voiles village lays its moorings for the first time on the Jean Réveille seawall.
Maxis: performance and innovation In order of appearance, more than forty Maxis will open this year’s sumptuous ball. With an overall length of over 35 meters, these are some of the largest and most beautiful boats in the world. Both fast and elegant, they reach new heights in the art of construction and technology. This is the class to which the remarkable Wally boats belong, with their emblematic performance and sleek lines. Unsurprisingly, these are also the yachts that drive relentless research and development. Combining design and technology, they use innovative materials and solutions to reduce weight and environmental impact. Recently returned from the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo, the Maxis will be keen to finish the season on a high note at Les Voiles, as will of course the Wally Cento Galateia, the overall winner in its class, which will have to withstand the onslaught of another Wally, the 93 Bullitt and the Swan 70 My Song. Meanwhile, the brand-new Wally 101 Y3K returns crowned in the Super Maxi category.
Moderns: racing from Monday As part of this 25th edition, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez will once again welcome and race a fleet of over 120 Modern racing yachts between 9 and 18 meters, flying the flags of 15 countries, divided into four classes. In the IRC B class, competing in the North Sails Trophy, the 53-foot Yagiza will have its work cut out against the two 50-footers, Nergy and Daguet 2, which are particularly sharp. Jean-Pierre Dick, winner of the Route du Rhum in the Mono class and new Atlantic record-holder on his 54-foot monohull Notre Méditerranée Ville de Nice returns with a record time of 11 days 8 hours 38 minutes and 23 seconds, beating the reference time of 12 days 23 hours and 28 minutes set in 1979. In IRC C, the category of racers competing for the BMW Trophy, the TP52 Nanoq will have to contend with other 52-footers such as Arobas 2, racing under the colours of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, and Furtif 2, aboard which we’ll see the highly experienced ocean racer Bertrand de Broc. In IRC D, the ultimate prize is the Suzuki Trophy. In this well-stocked, homogeneous class, some of the top names in the sport will be on the starting line, such as Yves Ginoux, member of the YCF pole, and his partner and number one, Isabelle Boisbouvier, on Long Noze XI. We’ll also be keeping an eye on the brand-new Jenis, launched this season. With the abolition of the IRCFs, the IRCEs are the most numerous, with a fleet of 44 boats. Day cruisers and liveaboards will come head-to-head in this class, which sees a number of new boats, such as the latest Wally Nano, Ges III.
Classics: brush up on your classics It’s one of the most prestigious and sought-after awards: every year for the past 17 years, the Rolex Trophy at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez has put the spotlight on a category of Classic boats. This year, it’s the Yawls, the elegant fractional rigs under whose spell skipper Lionel Péan succumbes at the helm of Hermitage, his splendid 21-meter monohull dating from 1965. “When sailing downwind, the small mast at the stern makes it possible to hoist a spinnaker, which provides a nice addition to the sail area.” But he makes no secret of the subtleties involved in handling this very special little sail, set aft of the rudder axis. “Unlike the mizzenmast, which is larger and associated with the boat’s propulsion, the ‘tape-cul’ is a handkerchief thrown back from the stern of the boat, mainly used to balance the helm. This sail is very difficult to use: if it’s too tightly tucked in, it causes the boat to drift or even skid, so the crew member who has to trim it has the role of a helmsman, because if it’s not tightly tucked in, it’s useless and increases drag”. Also eagerly awaited this year is Baruna, another Yawl from 1938. Designed to win the Newport-Bermuda race, it’s a scaled-down version of the J Class Ranger, winner of the America’s Cup 4-0. Nothing is standard on this incredible boat designed by the prestigious New York firm Sparkman & Stephens, and which has just completed an 8-year restoration. Everything has been made or re-made to measure, as the team behind its renaissance explains, with the possible exception of some racing gloves, an essential accessory when sailing aboard this unique jewel. 2023 is a milestone for the incredible Alcyon 1871: marking 10 years since Edith and Marc Frilet moved mountains to rebuild this replica of the extinct, incredible and fully canvased racing boats in the Mediterranean at the turn of the 20th century: the Houaris. This boat is a copy of the one that belonged to Edith’s grandfather, an illustration of how the passion for boats goes far beyond the life of the owner, and can span several generations.
On land: eyes in the blue It’s a date to remember: Friday September 29 at 9 a.m. marks the opening of the new Les Voiles village, anchored for the first time this year on an extraordinary promontory facing the sea on the Jean Réveille seawall. Closing time is 9 p.m. each evening, until Sunday October 8 inclusive. The beating heart of the event, the promontory is open to all, free of charge. In addition to the main stage with its giant screen, the bar and the numerous boutiques, this is where all the structures dedicated to the organization will be located this year: the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez stand, the race committee, in particular for welcoming and registering competitors, but also the Lounge area and the Voiles press service. To facilitate access from the harbour parking lot, a free shuttle boat will run from the harbourmaster’s office esplanade. Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez also features a fantastic entertainment program. Every day, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., music groups will perform on the seaside podium, while the port will also have its share of the ambiance with for example some 30 artists making up the group Phacochère, who are arriving from the Narbonne region with a stellar reputation, and will be strolling through the village of Saint-Tropez from Monday to Wednesday. On Tuesday evening, entertainment in the Village starts at 7 p.m. with the Life Boat Associations grand sardine feast while on Wednesday, the competition moves to Place des Lices at 6 p.m. for the “pétanque des Voiles”, an unforgettable boules competition bringing together competitors and locals. Thursday gets off to a fanfare start with a new feature: the Children’s Parade, 150 pupils from Saint-Tropez elementary schools (Laurier and Sainte-Anne) wearing sailor hats and charged with waking up the competitors by making the rounds of the port with fife and drum to announce the Crew Parade, which starts that evening at 6.30pm. While the boats are expected to sound their foghorns to support them as they pass, the children are also expected to make the most of this expedition for educational purposes: they will have to find characteristic elements on some of the boats in the port, of which they will have a photo: winch, helm, balsam, rope, etc… And the incredible talent of the Voiles public, amateur and professional alike, are again this year be invited to take part in the Photo Competition, open to all. All you have to do is bring your selected photo on a USB key to the Images Service stand by 2 p.m. on Friday 6th.
2023 Programme (details of the programme ashore is available on-line on the Voiles website) Friday 29 September: Maxi registration (over 18.28m) Saturday 30 September: Maxi registration (over 18.28m) and registration for Classic and Modern yachts up to 18.28 meters Sunday 1st October: regattas for the Maxis, registration for Classic and Modern yachts up to 18.28 meters Monday 2 October: regattas for Maxi and Modern yachts Tuesday 3 October: regattas for all fleets Wednesday 4 October: regattas for Modern and Classic yachts, Lay Day for the Maxis, Maxi Club 55 Cup Thursday 5 October: Challenge Day and Club 55 Cup for Modern and Classic yachts, regattas for the Maxis Friday 6 October: regattas for the whole fleet Prize giving for the Maxis Saturday 7 October: regattas for Modern and Classic yachts, Sunday October 8: Prize-giving ceremony for Modern and Classic yachts
Voiles de Saint-Tropez Partners ROLEX BMW NORTH SAILS WALLY SUZUKI MARINE HIGHFIELD MERCANTOUR BYBLOS CHAMPAGNE BARONS DE ROTHSCHILD GALERIE BARTOUX ESPRIT VILLAGE A SAINT-TROPEZ PEPINIERES DU GOLFE CHATEAU SAINT-MAUR DOMAINE BERTAUD BELIEU
VILLE DE SAINT-TROPEZ PORT DE SAINT-TROPEZ LES MARINES DE COGOLIN FEDERATION FRANCAISE DE VOILE YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE INTERNATIONAL MAXI ASSOCIATION
Organisation:
Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez
President: Pierre Roinson
Principal Race Officer: Georges Korhel
Regatta Secretary: Frédérique Fantino
On the water logistics: Gilles Doyen
Communication and Executive Assistant: Chloé de Brouwer
Internet sites: www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr
Copyright Photos: SNST / Gilles Martin-Raget
Relations Presse : Maguelonne Turcat E-mail magturcat@gmail.com
