Never rest on your laurels: this is probably the best way to define the state of mind of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, the tireless organizer of the 25th edition of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, supported in its approach by its Board of Directors and by the Municipality of the most famous port in the Var department. Instead of enjoying a well-deserved rest after numerous real successes, more than 250 Maxis, Modern and Classic yachts among the most beautiful in the world, are invited to a brand new formula, from Friday, September 29 to Sunday, October 8. A revisited formula that promises to be super vitaminized.
The event over ten days, with the Maxis as the opening event
If the new formula is totally new, it is not without reminding the first hours of the founding event, the Nioulargue. Indeed, it is to the fleet of super yachts that the honor of inaugurating the Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023 will fall, with a notable novelty in the holding of regattas in Saint-Tropez from the first Sunday, October 1st. This new configuration will allow the public, numerous during the opening weekend, to see the Maxi fleet in training and to attend high-flying regattas between the most incredible racing monohulls of more than 18.28 meters long, led by eminent international crews, with starts and finishes right in front of the village of Saint-Tropez. For these giants of the seas, a tailor-made program will allow them to be alone in the race on Sunday, in duet with the modern fleet on Monday, then at sea from Tuesday until Friday with the whole fleet, including the classic yachts. This incredible reunion at the Voiles de Saint-Tropez of more than a century of naval architecture history has been a strong demand for several editions. Important point, the program includes a “Lay Day” for Maxis on Wednesday, which will allow a second edition of the “Maxi Club 55 Cup”.
Moderns and Classics: a renewed program
On Sunday, October 1, the Traditional Sailboat fleet will join Saint-Tropez in racing for the now traditional “Coupe d’Automne du Yacht Club de France”. On Monday, October 2, the Modern fleet will start its racing session with a program that allows alternating the type and duration of the courses according to the weather conditions of the day, thanks to an “agile” race committee system based on autonomous geo-positionable electric buoys whose order and disposition are transmitted to the competitors by electronic means. The show will get even more intense on Tuesday with the entry of the Classics, since all the fleets will be on the same race course, thus reviving the DNA of the Nioulargue and the Voiles de Saint-Tropez.
The Challenge Day for Modern and Classic yachts will, as usual, be scheduled for Thursday 5 October, with combined activities on the water and on land.
They said
Pierre Roinson, President of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez: “The configuration of the 2023 calendar, in which the last weekend of September straddles the month of October, did not leave much room for completing the regattas before October 10th, which was a shared desire. We therefore had to reimagine an event allowing each of the fleets – Maxis, Moderns and Classics – to meet and race in Saint-Tropez in the best possible conditions. This is the challenge we have taken up by proposing a new format over ten days for this 25th edition, which revives the pillars of the Nioulargue where the Maxis raced in the opening race. Our philosophy has not changed: to set up the most beautiful races for the most beautiful boats on our magnificent stretch of water, with the best atmosphere on land.
Benoit de Froidmont, President of the International Maxi Association: “This new format is a return to the roots of the spirit of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. “Les Voiles” is a magical and unique mix of Classic and Modern yachts in an enchanting setting. The IMA and the organisers have been working for many years to make this event one of the most important gatherings of Maxi Yachts in the world. Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is also the final round of the IMA Mediterranean Inshore Challenge, one of the most prestigious trophies in the Maxi circuit. 2023 will be the second edition of the IMA Club 55 Cup, which will be held during the Lay Day, the quintessence of the event’s festive and sharing spirit. We are very happy to open the show this year, no doubt that many of us will be there. We are looking forward to racing on this magnificent stretch of water.
Programme 2023
Friday 29 September: (early afternoon) reception of the Maxis (over 18.28m)
Saturday 30 September: Maxis (over 18.28m) and Classic and Modern yachts up to 18.28m
Sunday 1 October: regattas for the Maxis,
welcome Classic and Modern yachts up to 18.28 metres
Monday 2 October: regattas for the Maxis les Voiliers Modernes
Tuesday 3 October: Regattas for all fleets
Wednesday 4 October: regattas for Modern and Classic yachts
Day Off, Maxis Club 55 Cup and Challenges for Maxis
Thursday 5 October: Challenge Day and Club 55 Cup for Modern and Classic yachts, racing for Maxis
Friday 6 October: regattas for all fleets,
Award ceremony for the Maxis
Saturday 7 October: regattas for Modern and Classic yachts,
Sunday 8 October: Prize-giving ceremony for Modern and Classic yachts
Institutional partners of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
CITY OF SAINT-TROPEZ
PORT OF SAINT-TROPEZ
LES MARINES DE COGOLIN
FEDERATION FRANCAISE DE VOILE
YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE
INTERNATIONAL MAXI ASSOCIATION