The Spirit of Les Voiles
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 Société 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.
Maxis: The Giants Take Centre Stage
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 classified according to length, but according to performance, based on their rating. Thus Atalante, a 39-metre Hoek design with a new-classical appearance, competes in Maxi 5, while Capricorno, a radical 25-metre Judel-Vrolijk racer, races in Maxi 1.
One of the highlights of this year’s edition will undoubtedly be the presence of three J Class yachts – Hanuman, Rainbow and Svea – bringing the atmosphere of the America’s Cup to the port of Saint-Tropez and the Bay of Pampelonne. Spectacular images and compelling stories are guaranteed, not least the story of Svea.
Designed by Tore Holm in 1937, Svea is, 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’s 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 Svanevit (“white swan”), an 8 Metre boat intended to compete at the 1940 Helsinki Olympic Games, which ultimately never took place. He could hardly have imagined that Svea would one day become a reality – still less that she would one day cross the wake of her smaller sister, Svanevit. The relationship between the two designs is striking. It caught the attention of Guillaume Wattinne, who bought Svanevitin 2023 with the intention of bringing her to the Mediterranean. With the same sweeping lines, similar stern and comparable hull colour, the 14.65 metre sloop is essentially a scaled-down version of Svea. For the very first time, the giant J 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!
Classics: Performance and Authenticity
Some 80 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’s original “rating rule”, famously sketched out on the corner of a table, directly contributed to the creation of the rating system of the Comité International de la Méditerranée, (CIM) an influence born in Saint-Tropez that has since extended far beyond the Mediterranean. Originally brought together for cruising races and rallies, particularly in Italy during the 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 “Gigi” Rolandi, recently elected under the rotating presidency system established by the Committee’s 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.
The Corinthian Spirit – in memory of Patrice
“Racing is far too serious a business to be left to racers.” That may well have been what Patrice de Colmont had in mind when he created La Nioulargue in 1981. Patrice was not a competitor. He preferred island bivouacs aboard Cocotte, the 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 traditional small-scale farming – 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 Pride and the 12 Metre JI Ikra.
Patrice de Colmont died following 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 “protests are forbidden or must be accompanied by a cash deposit (preferably chilled rosé wine)” 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 Balthasar (Maxi 72) take on the challenge of Tilakkhana II(Wally Cento) on Wednesday, while the two J Class yachts, Rainbow and Hanuman, go head-to-head in Match racing, in the spirit of the America’s Cup. And for the Club 55 Cup on Thursday, defending champion Mariella, a 1938 Mylne-designed yawl, will face Hallowe’en, the 1926 Fife-designed Bermudan cutter celebrating her centenary this year.
Two beautiful tributes, without a doubt
Share the “Les Voiles” teaser in portrait or landscape orientation!
Zoom on: The Challenge Races
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: Ges III (2023), Katarina (2026) and Nostromino II (2024). These 37-foot one-design yachts, featuring neo-classical styling by André Hoek Design and built by Wally Yachts, are generating considerable enthusiasm. The latest MK2 version notably features electric propulsion. This year, Nostromino II will be sailed by an all-female crew, adding another distinctive dimension to one of the week’s closely watched challenges.
2026 Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Schedule
Saturday, September 26: Registration confirmation
Sunday, September 27: Registration confirmation
Arrival of the Yacht Club de France’s Coupe d’Automne (Cannes–Saint-Tropez)
Monday, September 28: Races for the Maxis and Moderns
Tuesday, September 29: Races for the Maxis, Moderns, and Classics, including the Rolex Trophy
Wednesday, September 30: Races for the Moderns and Classics, including the Rolex Trophy Day-off for the Maxis, Club 55 Maxi Yacht Cup
Thursday, October 1: Club 55 Cup, Gstaad Yacht Club des Centenaires Trophy (staggered starts), Challenge Day for the Moderns and Classics, Wally Nano 37 Challenge
Races for the Maxis
Friday, October 2: Races for the Maxis, Moderns, and Classics, including the Rolex Trophy
Saturday, October 3: Races 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: Prize-giving for the Moderns and Classics, including the BMW Trophy and special trophies
LES VOILES DE SAINT-TROPEZ PARTNERS
Major Partner
ROLEX
Premium Partners
BMW
EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD
Privileged 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 to 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
Marine Safety: Gilles Doyen
Logistics and Procurement: Alice Coquant
Communications and external Relations: Chloé de Brouwer
Editorial: Pierre-Marie Bourguinat
Press Relations: Maguelonne Turcat
Websites
www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr www.societe-nautique-saint-tropez.fr
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 (photo credit mandatory)
