{"id":1351,"date":"2022-08-18T21:01:09","date_gmt":"2022-08-18T19:01:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/les-voiles-de-saint-tropez-to-feature-seven-large-classic-schooners-the-first-flying-maxi-and-the-return-of-pride"},"modified":"2026-10-20T17:26:40","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T15:26:40","slug":"les-voiles-de-saint-tropez-to-feature-seven-large-classic-schooners-the-first-flying-maxi-and-the-return-of-pride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/en\/les-voiles-de-saint-tropez-to-feature-seven-large-classic-schooners-the-first-flying-maxi-and-the-return-of-pride","title":{"rendered":"Seven large classic schooners, the first flying Maxi and the return of Pride to Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Depuis plus de quarante ans, le monde de la voile s\u2019est tourn\u00e9 vers la restauration des yachts anciens. Port\u00e9s par des amoureux \u00e9pris de l\u2019ind\u00e9finissable plaisir de faire revivre les plus beaux t\u00e9moins de l\u2019\u00e2ge d\u2019or du yachting, d\u2019extraordinaires voiliers, adul\u00e9s du public, ont renou\u00e9 avec le bonheur de la belle navigation. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the wake of the Nioulargue, the Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Nautique and its teams are bestowing another privilege upon them: the chance to share the Gulf\u2019s iconic racecourse with the most incredible craft on the modern, avant-garde yachting scene. Yet another reason to succumb, at the end of summer, to the charm of the 24th edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Week 1: Doyennes to star at the gathering in Saint Tropez<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Introduced two years ago, the popular two-week format is being carried over, with the configuration put in place in 2021; the opening week at Les Voiles is dedicated to the sumptuous fleet of classic yachts, with no limitation on length, as well as modern craft measuring up to 18m28 (60 feet).This impressive line-up of contemporary and traditional floating marvels will be gathered together in and around the port of Saint-Tropez.Among the traditional yachts, superlatives are required to evoke the incredible armada of seven large classic schooners, some of which\u2014like Elena of London and Shenandoah\u2014boast an overall length in excess of 50 metres. Amidst an impressive broadside of more than 20 centenarian boats, the prize for seniority goes to Madcap, a boat dating right back to 1874 and a newcomer to Les Voiles: classed as an Historic Monument in 2014, she\u2019s the oldest recorded pilot-cutter in the world still fit to sail. The boat was restored in 2018 with the support of key economic players from the Commercial Port of La Rochelle.On the modern side up to 18m28, Les Voiles remains a firm favourite with enthusiasts and specialists of the IRC B to F classes, who are eligible to compete during this first week, with categories that can reach around forty entrants. The big news this year is the return to the start lines of a 1973 Swan 44. Nothing exceptional in itself\u2014except that this very elegant black-hulled monohull is none other than Pride, one of the two protagonists who, in 1981, up against the 12 mJI Ikra and thanks to the complicity of Patrice de Colmont, sparked the regatta that would become La Nioulargue, and since 1999 Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Suffice to say her Saint-Tropez tacks\u2014especially as the boat has just been bought by a descendant of the original American owner, Dick Jayson\u2014will carry a very special symbolism.<\/p>\n\n

Week 2: 50 maxis in the Gulf<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Anything is possible at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. The time will come, during the second week, to welcome an extraordinary fleet of more than fifty maxis\u2014single-hulled or now even double-hulled\u2014pushing the record set in 2021 still further, when 45 boats took part.This year, no fewer than around ten Wally yachts will be taking part in the Voiles Maxi Yachts, a line-up of a scale not seen for several years. On the racecourse, the most phenomenal craft conceived by this unmistakably styled class\u2014defined by ultra-contemporary design that sacrifices nothing in high performance and peerless comfort\u2014will be ready to light the fuse. A titanic battle is brewing between the 100-footers and above: Spirit of Malouen X and Y3K, challenged by the three Wallycento born of the box rule launched by Luca Bassani in 2013: Magic Carpet3 and Galateia, the two 100-footers penned by the John Reichel and Jim Pugh design office, completed by Tango 100, drawn by the California-born, Ireland-based architect Mark Mills.Leaving the world of luxury and comfort for that of pure speed, it is precisely from the Mills office that the most incredible new arrival of the second week of Les Voiles comes: the very first flying maxi with articulated foils, inspired by the technology of the monohulls from the 36th edition of the America\u2019s Cup: Flying Nikka.\u201cThe challenge Roberto Lacorte set us was not only to design a foiling sailboat, not only to fly over long offshore distances, but to do so within the framework of the existing rules.\u201d<\/em> d\u00e9taille l\u2019architecte \u201cThat raises many challenges, such as the requirement to keep the project affordable, using the best of America\u2019s Cup experience in a project whose costs and sophistication are closer to a Grand Prix racing boat like a Maxi 72.\u201d<\/em> Le sensationnel maxi volant portera les couleurs du club dont son propri\u00e9taire est le commodore : le Yacht Club Repubblica Marinara di Pisa.<\/p>\n\n

Focus: An exclusive customisation workshop in the Voiles village<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

It\u2019s one of the most sought-after services at the exclusive North Sails boutique, official supplier to Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Widely open to the crews taking part in the event, but also to the public, the Custom Lab\u2014offering the option to have technical pieces or sportswear purchased in the North Sails sales\/showroom space embroidered or screen-printed\u2014will be back on a stand inside the village. All competitors who wish can also place pre-orders for delivery ahead of the event.Contact: guillaume.yvon@northsails.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Programme 2022<\/h2>\n\n

Week 1:<\/strong> Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, Modern and ClassicSaturday 24 and Sunday 25 September:<\/strong> welcome for all classic yachts with no size limit and modern yachts up to 18.28 metresMonday 26 September:<\/strong> races for modern yachtsTuesday 27, Wednesday 28, Friday 30 September and Saturday 1 October:<\/strong> races for modern yachts and traditional yachtsThursday 29 September:<\/strong> challenge daySaturday 1 October:<\/strong> prize-giving (week 1)<\/p>\n\n

Week 2:<\/strong> Voiles Maxi Yachts and MultihullsSunday 3 and Monday 4 October:<\/strong> welcome for the large modern yachts (Wally, Mini Maxi, Maxi, Super Maxi) and Performance Cruising Multihulls (from 60 feet)Tuesday 4, Wednesday 5, Thursday 6, Friday 7, Saturday 8:<\/strong> racesSaturday 8 October:<\/strong> prize-giving (week 2)<\/p>\n\n

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Partners of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n