{"id":4848,"date":"2026-09-15T14:05:37","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T12:05:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/the-spirit-of-the-voiles"},"modified":"2026-09-15T14:18:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T12:18:32","slug":"the-spirit-of-the-voiles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/en\/the-spirit-of-the-voiles","title":{"rendered":"The Spirit of the Voiles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Spirit of Les Voiles<\/strong>
\u00a0
From September 26 through October 4, Saint-Tropez will once again transform into the world capital of yachting, pulsing to the rhythm of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, organised by the\u00a0Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Nautique de Saint-Tropez. A remarkable fleet of 253 sailing yachts is expected for an exceptional programme of racing and unique encounters. Blending tradition and modernity, elegance and cutting-edge technology, Les Voiles remain above all faithful to the Corinthian spirit instilled by Patrice de Colmont, the creator of La Nioulargue in 1981, who passed away last year. The best racing on the water and the best atmosphere ashore -that spirit will continue to define this truly unique week.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>
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Maxis: The Giants Take Centre Stage<\/strong>
With 50 Maxis expected, the 2026 edition of Les Voiles could set a new record, surpassing the 46 entries recorded in 2022. The fleet will be evenly distributed between Maxi 1, competing for the Edmond de Rothschild Trophy, and the other classes, extending through Maxi 5 and including the Maxi Grand Prix fleet (Maxi GP). These magnificent racing yachts, measuring more than 18.28 metres (60 feet), are not\u00a0classified according to length, but according to performance, based on their rating.\u00a0\u00a0Thus\u00a0Atalante<\/em>, a 39-metre Hoek design with a\u00a0new-classical appearance, competes in Maxi 5, while\u00a0Capricorno<\/em>, a radical 25-metre Judel-Vrolijk racer, races in Maxi 1.
One of the highlights of this year\u2019s edition will undoubtedly be the presence of three J Class yachts –\u00a0Hanuman<\/em>,\u00a0Rainbow<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Svea<\/em>\u00a0– bringing the atmosphere of the America\u2019s Cup to the port of Saint-Tropez and the Bay of Pampelonne. Spectacular images and compelling stories are guaranteed, not least the story of\u00a0Svea<\/em>.
Designed by Tore Holm in 1937,\u00a0Svea<\/em>\u00a0is, in fact, the newest J Class yacht ever built, having only been constructed for the first time in 2017. It was only after the designer\u2019s death that the plans for this long-overlooked yacht were rediscovered in his archives. Holm, an Olympic medallist and passionate advocate of the metre rule, was working at the same time on\u00a0Svanevit<\/em>\u00a0(\u201cwhite swan\u201d), an 8 Metre boat intended to compete at the 1940 Helsinki Olympic Games, which ultimately never took place. He could hardly have imagined that\u00a0Svea<\/em>\u00a0would one day become a reality – still less that she would one day\u00a0cross the wake of her smaller sister,\u00a0Svanevit<\/em>. The relationship between the two designs is striking. It caught the attention of Guillaume Wattinne, who bought\u00a0Svanevit<\/em>in 2023 with the intention of bringing her\u00a0to the Mediterranean.\u00a0\u00a0With the same sweeping lines, similar stern and comparable hull colour, the 14.65 metre sloop is essentially a scaled-down version of\u00a0Svea<\/em>. For the very first time, the giant\u00a0J Class yacht and the 8 Metre JI will share the same stretch of water. A family portrait has already been scheduled in the port of Saint-Tropez!\u00a0\u00a0
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Classics: Performance and Authenticity<\/strong>
Some\u00a080 classic yachts, including more than 20 centenarians, will once again illuminate the port and Gulf of Saint-Tropez this year, with the race starts taking place off the Portalet Tower. This exceptional fleet reflects the growing passion for maritime heritage throughout Europe and around the world, while confirming the international stature of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez as the largest gathering of these historic yachts. Yet perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the development of classic yachting worldwide is the pivotal role played by La Nioulargue. It\u2019s original \u201crating rule\u201d, famously sketched out on the corner of a table, directly contributed to the creation of the rating system of the\u00a0Comit\u00e9 International de la M\u00e9diterran\u00e9e,\u00a0(CIM)\u00a0an\u00a0influence born in Saint-Tropez that has since extended far beyond the Mediterranean.\u00a0Originally\u00a0brought together for cruising races and rallies, particularly in Italy during\u00a0the 1990s, Classic yachts gradually became more structured under the impetus of the Yacht Club de Monaco. A dedicated rating rule was subsequently developed by the CIM, now known as the International Committee of Mediterranean Classic sailing (CIMVC). Today, each yacht is assigned a rating calculated according to performance criteria weighted by an authenticity coefficient, making it possible to organise competitive racing on an international scale.
1,100 yachts are currently rated worldwide, including 300 racing certificates a year issued in the Mediterranean, an essential reservoir of Classic yachts. This represents a remarkable achievement for the CIM, which celebrates its centenary this year under the presidency of Italian Luigi \u201cGigi\u201d Rolandi, recently elected under the rotating presidency system established by the Committee\u2019s statues. He is supported by, among others, Renaud Godard, Secretary General and Chairman of the Rating Commission, and Thierry Leret, Treasurer and Chairman of the Safety and Racing Commission.\u00a0
\u00a0
The Corinthian Spirit – in memory of Patrice<\/strong>
\u201cRacing is far too serious a business to be left to racers.\u201d That may well have been what Patrice de Colmont had in mind when he created La Nioulargue in 1981. Patrice was not a competitor.\u00a0\u00a0He preferred island bivouacs aboard\u00a0Cocotte<\/em>,\u00a0the small mahogany Matonnat dinghy on which he sailed as a child. But he loved the sea, beautiful boats and the people who sailed them. A master of improvisation yet a shrewd manager, an exceptional storyteller yet a man who listened, host to stars yet a friend of Pierre Rabhi and a passionate advocate of\u00a0traditional small-scale farming\u00a0– which he himself practised to supply the kitchens of Club 55 – the inimitable Patrice de Colmont retained a rare combination of lightness and audacity. It was this spirit that enabled him to orchestrate and grow a festive week of racing unlike any other in the world. Although he stepped away from organising the event after 1995, he remained close to Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, offering his support and goodwill as the event sought to become the worthy heir to La Nioulargue. He continued to welcome the crews of the yachts that challenged one another on Wednesdays and Thursdays, maintaining the tradition established in 1981 by the Swan 44\u00a0Pride<\/em>\u00a0and the\u00a012\u00a0Metre\u00a0JI\u00a0Ikra<\/em>.\u00a0
Patrice de Colmont died\u00a0following a short and cruel illness on October 11, 2025, leaving a deep footprint. The 28th edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez will therefore be the first to take place without him, but thanks to his daughter Camille, the legacy continues. Remaining true to the traditions of the Club 55 Cup and the Challenge Races, where \u201cprotests are forbidden or must be accompanied by a cash deposit (preferably chilled\u00a0ros\u00e9 wine)\u201d\u00a0<\/em>according to the Sailing Instructions – wording that has remained unchanged since the very beginning.
This year, the Club 55 Maxi Yacht Cup will see defending champion\u00a0Balthasar\u00a0<\/em>(Maxi 72) take on the challenge of\u00a0Tilakkhana II<\/em>(Wally Cento)\u00a0on Wednesday, while the two J Class yachts,\u00a0Rainbow<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Hanuman,<\/em>\u00a0go head-to-head in Match racing, in the spirit of the America\u2019s Cup.\u00a0\u00a0And for the Club 55 Cup on Thursday, defending champion\u00a0Mariella<\/em>, a 1938 Mylne-designed yawl, will face\u00a0Hallowe\u2019en<\/em>, the 1926 Fife-designed Bermudan cutter celebrating her centenary this year.\u00a0\u00a0
Two beautiful tributes,\u00a0without a doubt
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Share the “Les Voiles” teaser in portrait<\/a> or landscape<\/a> orientation!



Z<\/em><\/strong>oom on:  The Challenge Races<\/em><\/strong><\/em>
Following the Club 55 Cup, Thursday will be dedicated to the Challenge Races staged between Modern and Classic yachts. A three-way match is taking shape among the Wally Nano fleet: <\/em>Ges III (2023), <\/em>Katarina (2026)<\/em> and <\/em>Nostromino II (2024). These 37-foot one-design <\/em>yachts, featuring neo-classical styling by Andr\u00e9 Hoek Design and built by Wally Yachts, are generating considerable enthusiasm.  The latest MK2 version notably features electric propulsion. This year, <\/em>Nostromino II will be sailed by an all-female crew, adding another distinctive dimension to one of the week\u2019s closely watched challenges.

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2026 Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Schedule<\/strong>
Saturday, September 26<\/strong>: Registration confirmation
Sunday, September 27:<\/strong>\u00a0Registration confirmation
Arrival of the Yacht Club de France’s Coupe d’Automne (Cannes\u2013Saint-Tropez)
Monday, September 28:<\/strong>\u00a0Races for the Maxis and Moderns
Tuesday, September 29:<\/strong>\u00a0Races for the Maxis, Moderns, and Classics, including the Rolex Trophy
Wednesday, September 30:<\/strong>\u00a0Races for the Moderns and Classics, including the Rolex Trophy Day-off for the Maxis, Club 55 Maxi Yacht Cup
Thursday, October 1:<\/strong>\u00a0Club 55 Cup, Gstaad Yacht Club des Centenaires Trophy (staggered starts), Challenge Day for the Moderns and Classics,\u00a0Wally Nano 37 Challenge
Races for the Maxis
Friday, October 2:\u00a0<\/strong>Races for the Maxis, Moderns, and Classics, including the Rolex Trophy
Saturday, October 3:<\/strong>\u00a0Races for the Maxis, Moderns, and Classics, including the Rolex Trophy Prize-giving for the Maxis, including the Edmond de Rothschild Trophy
Presentation of the Rolex Trophy
Sunday, October 4:<\/strong>\u00a0Prize-giving for the Moderns and Classics, including the BMW Trophy and special trophies
\u00a0<\/strong>

LES VOILES DE SAINT-TROPEZ PARTNERS<\/strong>
\u00a0<\/strong>
Major Partner<\/strong>
ROLEX

Premium Partners<\/strong>
BMW
EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD

Privileged Partners<\/strong>
WALLY
SUZUKI MARINE
BRIG

Associated Partners<\/strong>
VSC CORPORATE RECOVERY CONSULTING
PORT DES MARINES DE COGOLIN
NORTH SAILS

Suppliers<\/strong>
MERCANTOUR EVENTS
BYBLOS
PEPINIERE DU GOLFE
CHAMPAGNE BARONS DE ROTHSCHILD\u00a0
CHATEAU SAINT-MAUR CRU CLASSE
MAITRES VIGNERONS DE LA PRESQU\u2019ILE DE SAINT-TROPEZ
TIKAMOON
L\u2019ECOLE DU LUXE

Institutional Partners to Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez\u00a0<\/strong>
VILLE DE SAINT-TROPEZ
PORT DE SAINT-TROPEZ
SAINT-TROPEZ TOURISME
ESPRIT VILLAGE A SAINT-TROPEZ
FEDERATION FRAN\u00c7AISE DE VOILE
YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
INTERNATIONAL MAXI ASSOCIATION
COMITE INTERNATIONAL DE LA MEDITERRANEE
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Organization :
<\/strong>Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Nautique de Saint-Tropez, President: Pierre Roinson
Principal Race Officer: Georges Korhel
Registrations: Fr\u00e9d\u00e9rique Fantino
Marine Safety: Gilles Doyen
Logistics and Procurement: Alice Coquant\u00a0
Communications and external Relations: Chlo\u00e9 de Brouwer
Editorial: Pierre-Marie Bourguinat\u00a0
Press Relations: Maguelonne Turcat<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Websites
www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr<\/a>\u00a0www.societe-nautique-saint-tropez.fr<\/a>
Social Media
Facebook: les Voiles de Saint-Tropez officiel
X formally Twitter: @VoilesSTOrg
Instagram: les_voiles_de_saint_tropez
Media Credits
Video: Guilain Grenier, Images 6 G Production\/SNST
Photography: SNST\/Gilles Martin-Raget\u00a0\u00a0(photo credit mandatory)
\u00a0<\/strong>
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The Spirit of Les Voiles\u00a0From September 26 through October 4, Saint-Tropez will once again transform into the world capital of yachting, pulsing to the rhythm of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, organised by the\u00a0Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Nautique de Saint-Tropez. A remarkable fleet of 253 sailing yachts is expected for an exceptional programme of racing and unique encounters. Blending…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4849,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":{"autoplay":false,"delay":"","video_mp4":false,"video_webm":false,"poster_image":false,"nugget":false,"partner":false,"tab":false,"supplier":false,"subtitle":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4848"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4848\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4858,"href":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4848\/revisions\/4858"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4849"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}