Regattas and much more

Voiles de Saint-Tropez

Les 2250 traditional ships, modern boats and maxi yachts once again competed in exciting races at the Voiles de Saint-Tropez this year, providing the public with a great spectacle. The Mediterranean season could not have ended on a more sporting, sociable and festive note.

From September 28 to October 6, the crème de la crème of classic and modern sailing celebrated the end of the 2024 regatta season in St. Tropez in grand style. 135 years of naval architecture passed by under sail in front of an enthusiastic and large audience. However, the spectacle was not only on the water, but also on land, where the boats were greeted and bid farewell with music, the sound of horns and cannon shots. The atmosphere was exactly as Pierre Roison, President of the organizing Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, had hoped, namely “true to the original idea of the Voiles”, which must be cultivated. His assessment was also extremely positive: “The 25th anniversary edition of the Voiles was a complete success. Never before have we had so many spectators. The quality of the field of participants was impressive and the weather played along,” he said happily. The new rating-based division of the modern yachts proved its worth this year. It will be retained, explained Principal Race Officer Georges Korhel. “We want to form even more homogeneous groups and make sure that they are not too small. Excessive fragmentation makes the sporting results too difficult to understand and damages the event.”

Beautiful regatta week in summery conditions

The whole week was spent battling for the title in the various classes in different conditions. One winning boat was more beautiful than the next. Tuiga, the flagship of the Yacht Club Monaco and winner in the Big Racer category, made a particular impression. Simon Le Bon’s Blizten, which won the Marconi Traditional Yachts A ahead of Carron II with Swiss participation, and the Eugenia IV, which competed in the Marconi Classic Yachts A, also attracted a lot of attention. In the Maxi category, the overall victory went to Yoru, while Peter Harrison’s Jolt secured both the Baron de Rothschild Trophy in the Maxi category and the “Best Place IMA Member” prize. Y3K and Sud took the Wally Trophy in the Maxi A and B categories, while Expresso was the overall winner in the Modern category. In the North Sails Trophy (IRC B), Nanoqdas won the race. The Danish king’s TP52 had already prevailed in the IRC C last year and was able to take the crown again this year thanks to its consistency. In the IRC C category (BMW Trophy), the competition was only decided on the last day of the regatta. After a thrilling battle, the Shotgunn of Briton Wilson Michaël came out on top.

The Swiss on the spot

As is the case every year, the Swiss had turned up in large numbers. Olivier Baiwir, the owner of the 8-meter yacht Apache with Bermuda rigging from 1917, was competing for the fifth time, this time with a very special boat. The yacht, built according to Anker’s plans, was partly restored by Philippe Durr in Switzerland and then by Gilbert Pasqui in Villefranche-sur-Mer. “The restoration took four years, two of which were spent in France, and was only completed a month ago,” said Baiwir. “So I’m all the more pleased that we can be part of it. The Voiles de Saint-Tropez is a fantastic event for meter classes.” His Apache, based in Founex, finished 7th in the EMB category.
The Oiseau de Feu (1937) is also a regular at the Voiles. This year, she came 12th in the EMA and he never misses an edition, confirms owner Guillaume Floquet. “The Voiles are a must for the Oiseau de Feu. This year we are taking part for the twelfth time with our regular team. If I remember correctly, the boat has never been absent since the first event.” Seven of the ten crew members of the Nicholson yacht, which has been a listed building since 1992, are Swiss, adds Floquet. Daniel Heine’s Silhouette also secured 12th place in the EFA category.

In the modern category, Musica sailed by Kicker Schafter to 13th place in the IRB. Ottocinque XL came 10th in the IRC, Ninotchka 5th in the IRE. David Estoppey, who owns Ninotchka, will not miss out on taking part in St. Tropez. “There is always a good atmosphere at the Voiles. We’ve been sailing with the same crew for ten years, we still have fun and are pretty successful. The conditions were perfect and the organization flawless. What’s more, we can not only race here, but also enjoy a vacation with family and friends.” Nostromino II, 23rd at the IRC, celebrated her premiere. “Sir Andrew Cook, a member of the Gstaad Yacht Club, sold the number 1 last year to Americans from the New York Yacht Club, but after the first two races he decided to order a new Wally Nano. It has a different rating,” explains Bertrand Geiser, who is responsible for tactics and trim on the yacht, which is skippered by Danish Olympic champion Jesper Bank.

Two boats sailed under the Swiss flag in the Maxi class: Saida, 6th in the MAD class, and Simeron, 10th in the MAB class.

A resounding victory for the Oriole at the Gstaad Yacht Centenary Trophy

Following its success in 2015, the Herreshoff yacht Oriole once again took victory at the 13th Gstaad Yacht Centenary Trophy. She completed the 9 nautical mile course in pursuit mode in around 10 knots of wind the fastest and won confidently ahead of the 10-meter gaff yacht Marga (1910) and the P-Class Olympian (1913).

Marga wins the Rolex Trophy

This year, classic gaff-rigged boats were allowed to sail for the trophy for the first time. After the disqualification of Oriole, which had collided with Lulu, Olympian and Marga fought it out between themselves. This ultimately went to five-time Olympic medal winner Torben Grael from Brazil on Marga.