Schlagwortarchiv für: Les Voiles de St.Tropez

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Les Voiles de St.Tropez 06.10.2017

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06.10.2017

All you need is Voiles

– Races for all the groups in a combination of light airs and Mistral.
– Last day tomorrow, flavoured by a final for many groups, 12 m JIs, Wallys…
– Mariska drives the point home for the 15 m JIs…

Amidst the Mistral and a zone of high pressure, today those competing in Les Voiles benefited from one of those little weather miracles that seem to love colouring play in Saint Tropez. Indeed, in a little window between the morning’s gale and the later calms, a gentle breeze enabled the three Race Committees, Wallys in Pampelonne, Modern boats offshore and the Classics in the bay, to launch the day’s racing, adding another race to the scoreboard for each of the groups concerned. It was competition time again today then and the helmsmen and women and the sailors had to really be on top of their game in terms of both strategy and tactics to perform well in the capricious breeze. After the bracing wind of the start of the week, the bay of Saint Tropez was all about finesse and feeling at the helm this Friday.

The Finals in prospect…
From the sound of canon fire to bagpipes to sea shanties… each day the return to the dock of all the sailors competing in Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is punctuated by these good-humoured demonstrations, reinforced by the joy at having shared another wonderful day’s sailing and racing. Skilfully inserted into the programme around the Mistral by the Race Committees, the different leader boards are shaping up nicely. The rivalry among the 12 m JIs in Saint Tropez is epitomised by the duel between Sovereign and France. Baron Bich’s cherished 12 mJI triumphed today and remains in the hunt for final victory tomorrow, Sovereign currently with the edge.
Always a top-flight competition, the 14 sumptuous Wallys racing over towards Pampelonne opted today for a short course, hugging the coast. Open Season, the Wally 107, just managed to secure the bullet in elapsed time, but slipped down to third place in corrected time, to the benefit of Lyra, a Wally 77, and above all Magic Carpet3, which posted a stellar result today, drawing level with Open Season in the provisional overall ranking. As such, tomorrow will once again prove decisive in the bid for final victory and the BMW Trophy. Lyra is now lying in third place.
Suspense reigns among the 15 M JIs this evening in the battle for the Rolex Trophy. Mariska managed to control The Lady Anne, which is formidable the moment the wind drops below 10 knots as it did today. The 1908 Fife won this Friday’s race, definitively stamping her authority on the 2017 edition of Les Voiles.

A ‘Guest’ Class
Reconciling 130 years of yachting at the same event requires both imagination and rigour from the organisers of Les Voiles. This rigour is expressed in the classification of yachts that are as similar as possible, in order to guarantee a degree of sporting equity on the water. Inevitably, this isn’t the easiest of tasks when naval architects the world over have, for the past century and a half, tried to outdo each other’s creative talent to design the fastest yachts of their time. Between the Epoques, Marconi rigs, gaff rigs and Spirit of Traditions, certain iconic yachts sadly no longer fall within the rule laid out in Les Voiles’ Notice of Race, which solely authorises the participation of those classic yachts measuring in excess of 11 metres. As such, in order to honour the presence of masterpieces as sublime as Dainty (Wesmacott 1922) and her 8.12 metres of grace and elegance, Alcyon, the beautiful 9.38m gunter rig or Djinn, the 8.90m gaff cutter, a specially named “Invité” or “Guest” ranking has been instituted at Les Voiles and this year groups together 9 splendid craft.

The fuse on gaff cutters
On gaff cutters and schooners, above the lower mast, or main mast, comes the topmast, which carries the topsail, namely the sail that sits over the top of the fore-and-aft mainsail. This relatively light wooden spar, also serves as a fuse in the event of excessive pressure, which can lead to a dismasting. Just such an incident has unfortunately occurred several times this week at Les Voiles, the scale and the technical and human consequences of which have been greatly reduced by the breakage of this top mast. Though subsequently proving to be a little bit of a handicap while racing, it has of course served its purpose by preventing the mast from falling. Happily, secured at the top of the mast by ropes, this broken spar on various competitors’ boats has led to no collateral damage at Les Voiles.

News in brief
The face of Les Voiles
Playing host to no fewer than 4,000 sailors for 10 days and registering some 300 boats is a feat that the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez pulls off in style each and every year to ensure the success of Les Voiles. The teams of André Beaufils, entrusted to Frédérique Fantino on this occasion, work well in advance of the main event registering the countless requests to participate from all over the world. “In Saint Tropez, each request is a case,” she explains, “which requires special and continuous attention in order to satisfy the owners’ demands as best we can.” These requests are naturally studied in meticulous detail according to their specific features, the type of yacht, Modern or Classic, the demands made by the skipper-owners and so on… before confirmation is given. Berths in the port are also the subject of hot debate, everyone obviously wanting to be at the heart of the little port in France’s Var region. Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, in contrast to other regattas, authorises daily modifications to the crews, the number of sailors being ‘chartered’ by their owners, who are keen to enable the magic of the moment to be shared by their clients and friends. As such, the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez puts in place a team of at least ten people in the village who, each day, are in charge of recording the new crew entries aboard each of the different boats. A long, painstaking, full-time job for these wonderful ladies at reception.

The Yacht Club de France delivers
Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, the Yacht Club de France – of which the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez is one of the associated clubs – has a most important mission: promoting sailing in all its forms. Founded in 1867 by Napoleon III, it has played a passionate part in the development of a sector in which France, the second largest maritime force in the world, has become a master, both in the construction of pleasure craft and the practice of sailing at the highest level.
The jubilee book is out now: “Une histoire du yachting français” (A history of French yachting), under Jacques Taglang: Frédéric Delaive, Louis Pillon, Dominique Gabirault, Antoine Sézérat, François Chevalier and Eric Vibart. Photographer: Laurent Charpentier.
Square format, 30 x 30 cm, generously illustrated, 312 pages, cloth cover and jacket.
Bilingual: French-English.

Accueil

Today’s partners
BMW – partner to Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
Since 2013, the German car manufacturer BMW and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez have had an agreement centring on Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Thorsten Mattig, head of international sponsorship at BMW, is delighted by this partnership: „Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is the venue par excellence where the Modern and the Classic combine, and where timeless aesthetic meets design and high technology. The desire to win and team spirit play such a fundamental role here, as does a passion for yachting and fraternal camaraderie. These are the values that BMW is happy to support, as they are of vital importance for our brand.” In addition to showcasing its latest models, BMW has chosen to celebrate a class of yachts that is particularly committed to high technology, the Wallys. The BMW Trophy will reward the best Wally at the end of racing.

Partners to Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
ROLEX
BMW
GROUPE EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD
WALLY
KAPPA
HOTEL BYBLOS
MERCANTOUR EVENTS
LES MARINES DE COGOLIN
L’ESPRIT VILLAGE DE SAINT-TROPEZ
POMMERY
JETFLY
DANONE
SUZUKI MARINE
LORO PIANA
ENATA
MARE NOSTRUM
AIR FRANCE
CHEVALIER TORPEZ (LES VIGNOBLES DE SAINT TROPEZ)
SUN 7 GRAPHIC

PROGRAMME:
MODERN YACHTS
Saturday 30 September – Sunday 1 October: Registration and inspection
Monday 2, Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4, Thursday 5(J. Laurain Day, Challenge Day), Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October: Coastal course, 1st start 11:00am

CLASSIC YACHTS
Sunday 1 and Monday 2 October: Registration and inspection
Sunday 1 October: finish of the Yacht Club de France’s Coupe d’Automne from Cannes
Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4, Thursday 5 (J. Laurain Day, Challenge Day, Club 55 Cup, GYC Centenary Trophy), Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October: Coastal course, 1st start 12:00 noon

Prize-giving for everyone
Sunday 8 October, from 11:00am

 

Organisation:
Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, Commodore: André Beaufils
Principal Race Officer: Georges Korhel
On the water organisation: Philippe Martinez
On shore logistics: Emmanuelle Filhastre
Financial management: Delphine Reusse
Registration: Frédérique Fantino
Communication: Chloé de Brouwer
Website: www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr
Facebook: Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez official
Twitter: @VoilesSTOrg

Press Relations:
Maguelonne Turcat
Tel +33 (0)6 09 95 58 91
Email magturcat@gmail.com

Photos:
Gilles Martin-Raget, www.martin-raget.com

 

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Les Voiles de St.Tropez 05.10.2017

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05.10.2017

Made in Saint Tropez

– The Club 55 Cup goes to Savannah!
– Challenges amidst the breeze and the sunshine
– The low-down on the mid-term rankings
– Tilly XV wins the Centenary Trophy

Les Voiles is a festival in its purest sense, and on Thursday, perhaps more so than on any other day of the week, this specificity takes on a whole new dimension, when skippers and owners do things their way and celebrate the Nioulargue as they see fit, recreating the historic challenge between Ikra and Pride in 1981. In this way, over thirty Modern and Classic craft took up the gauntlet today, in duel configuration or with multiple challengers, in a series of friendlies to neighbouring Pampelonne in line with the Club 55 Cup tradition. Meantime, the rest of the fleet remained in port, treating the huge crowds, lured by the summery atmosphere, to the opportunity to revel in the spectacle of the sublime boats and their crews up close at the dock. The nautical and maritime festivity quickly spread to the streets that meander about the little port in the wake of the crew parade, ringing out long into the night with the typical pizzazz of seafarers’ gatherings.

Savannah, the new Defender of the Club 55 Cup!
Today the Club 55 Cup saw the Defender Eugenia V, the 1968 Rhodes design, competing against Savannah. It was the latter that secured the win at the end of the 15-mile sprint from Saint Tropez to the beach of Pampelonne. It is a gentlemen’s race according to the very terms outlined by the protagonists gathered at the Club 55 to celebrate the new Defender!
In 1995, an American yachtie competing in the J-Class races, one Elizabeth Meyer, wanted to create a Spirit of Tradition. This yacht was inspired by William Fife’s J-Class sloops and a plethora of other beauties, but she wanted a boat that measured less than 100-feet in length. For this particular J-Class, Pedrick and Munford teamed up to create Savannah. Strikingly beautiful, her features embody all that is wonderful in the design of 20th century yachts.

Lively challenges
Throughout the day, ten or so challenges livened up the race zone between the little port of Saint Tropez and the beach of Pampelonne, following in the historic footsteps of the challenge on which Les Voiles was founded in 1981. Of particular note was the keenness of the crews of the three 12 m JIs, Ikra, Sovereign and France to continue with their week of jousting. From midday, they became embroiled in a friendly race bound for Lion de Mer, neck and neck, constantly sizing up their respective speeds at every point of sail as the breeze filled in. There were no points on the scoreboard at the end of this shakedown, but their appetites are further whetted for when they begin racing in anger again tomorrow in the group of Marconi Classics.

More majestic still perhaps, was the three-way racing proposed by the large gaff-rigged schooners, Elena (Herreshoff 2003), Puritan (Alden 1931) and Germania Nova (Oertz 2011), who posted dazzling performances in the bay with their profusion of fore-and-aft sails throughout their short coastal course stretching some ten miles or so.

No respite for the 15 m JIs

Competing in their very own championship for the Rolex Trophy, which is due to be awarded this Saturday, the four 15 m JIs decided to continue battling it out on the water, scheduling in two windward-leeward courses at the heart of the bay. It proved to be a rather perilous exercise given the hordes of spectator boats on the race zone. Though the wind was slow to establish itself, it certainly packed a punch when it did kick in early in the afternoon, really spicing up play. Hispania seemed keen to make up for her lacklustre start to the week, stamping her mark on the competition and narrowly missing out on the win in the first race of the day that went to Mariska, before sailing an absolute blinder in the second race to take victory over Mariska and The Lady Anne.

To the Sonderklass Tilly XV, the Centenary Trophy.

She is really creating a stir at Les Voiles through her elegance and her seemingly effortless efficiency on the water. She really pulled out all the stops again today to secure the Centenary Trophy, finishing ahead of Spartan and Linnet, which were 2 and 3 minutes astern respectively! Initiated in collaboration with the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez by the Gstaad Yacht Club in 2011, the Centenary Trophy was played out today in a ‘pursuit race’ format, the boats crossing the start line according to their rating, enabling the competitors to race on an equal footing. This format is relished by sailors and public alike due to its sheer simplicity: the first boat to cross the finish line offshore of Saint Tropez’ sea wall is the winner.

The low-down on the races

The varied weather, imbued with a climate worthy of early summer, has enabled at least two races to be run for the majority of the 19 groups, Moderns, Classics and Wallys combined, as we reach the midway point in the 2017 edition of Les Voiles. In fact the Wallys and 15 m JIs have even notched up 3 races on their respective scoreboards already. It is Open Season, the Wally 107 launched in 2012, which is leading the fight for the BMW Trophy and managing to keep the two Wallycentos, Magic Carpet 3 and Tango, at arms’ length. However, there’s everything to play for at the midway mark in the racing since just one point separates the two leaders. Meantime, Franck Cammas is sailing true to form. Indeed, the last French winner of the Volvo Ocean race, teamed up with Lionel Péan, who also won that same race back in 1986, are really showing off Babsy’s potential to the full, the VOR 70 dominating play this evening ahead of the Maxi yachts My Song and Farfalla. The TP 52s are reigning supreme in the IRC C group as they vie for the Edmond de Rothschild Group Trophy, with Orel Kalomeni’s Renata already well ahead of Arobas (Gérard Logel) and Alizée (Laurent Camprubi).

The gaff-rigs that make up the P Class and the Metre Class are involved in a sumptuous confrontation with Olympian, the fabulous Gardner-designed P Class, currently with the edge. She is just 2 points ahead of Spartan, the Herreshoff NY50 and the Alfred Mylne gaff cutter Kelpie. Bruno Troublé and his P Class Chips (Burgess 1913) remains on the hunt.

Today’s Partners

KAPPA & Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez

Robe di Kappa is, for the seventh consecutive year, the official clothing partner for this major gathering of the world’s sailing enthusiasts. In this way, for its new collection, the Italian label is proposing a wide range of chic sportswear products, available across three distinct universes. The special Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2017 collection boasts some very sporty lines, which have gleaned considerable inspiration from the sailor’s universe. As is its wont, Robe di Kappa has endeavoured to offer us stylish, intricate and elegant pieces. Featuring a very well-designed 2017 vintage, its key piece is the Polo Doris. The latter is a limited edition that is numbered and features a profusions of motifs and pieces of embroidery. The unique Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2017 collection also comprises T-Shirts, short and long-sleeved polo shirts, shirts, shorts and Bermuda shorts. Certain pieces are a nod to the codes of rugbywear too. This 2017 collection also contains a wealth of accessories including bags, towels and scarves…

The entire Kappa Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2017 collection is available at www.les-voiles-de-saint-tropez.fr

Partners to Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
ROLEX

BMW
GROUPE EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD
WALLY
KAPPA

HOTEL BYBLOS

MERCANTOUR EVENTS
LES MARINES DE COGOLIN
L’ESPRIT VILLAGE DE SAINT-TROPEZ

POMMERY

JETFLY

DANONE

SUZUKI MARINE

LORO PIANA

ENATA

MARE NOSTRUM

AIR FRANCE

CHEVALIER TORPEZ (LES VIGNOBLES DE SAINT TROPEZ)

SUN 7 GRAPHIC

PROGRAMME:

MODERN YACHTS

Saturday 30 September – Sunday 1 October: Registration and inspection

Monday 2, Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4, Thursday 5(J. Laurain Day, Challenge Day), Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October: Coastal course, 1st start 11:00am

CLASSIC YACHTS

Sunday 1 and Monday 2 October: Registration and inspection

Sunday 1 October: finish of the Yacht Club de France’s Coupe d’Automne from Cannes

Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4, Thursday 5 (J. Laurain Day, Challenge Day, Club 55 Cup, GYC Centenary Trophy), Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October: Coastal course, 1st start 12:00 noon

Prize-giving for everyone

Sunday 8 October, from 11:00am

Organisation:

Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, Commodore: André Beaufils
Principal Race Officer: Georges Korhel
On the water organisation: Philippe Martinez
On shore logistics: Emmanuelle Filhastre

Financial management: Delphine Reusse
Registration: Frédérique Fantino
Communication: Chloé de Brouwer
Website: www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr
Facebook: Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez official
Twitter: @VoilesSTOrg

Press Relations:

Maguelonne Turcat
Tel +33 (0)6 09 95 58 91
Email magturcat@gmail.com

Photos:
Gilles Martin-Raget, www.martin-raget.com

Voilers de St.Tropez 03.10.2017

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03.10.2017

The permanent miracle of Les Voiles!

– Long, windy coastal courses for all the Classes
– Babsy and Franck Cammas at the front of the fleet
– Magic Carpet3 on home waters!
– 12 m JIs gone mad

The magic of Les Voiles cannot be summed up by the highly elegant, good-humoured parade of the world’s most beautiful classic and modern yachts. Indeed, to truly thrill the 4,000 international sailors present in the bay, this recipe must be warmed by the sultry climes of Saint Tropez that never fail to resist the wintery continental chill. This was exactly what was on today’s menu, with generous sunshine and bracing wind joining forces to produce the amazing spectacle that is so unique to Les Voiles, when the hundred-year-old rigs merge with the more futuristic designs. As such, the Race Committee was absolutely right to send all the Modern boats, as well as the large Wallys, on a long coastal course towards Cavalaire, whilst the Classics escaped the bay, bound for Les Issambres. The well-established breeze and increasingly heavy seas proved little obstacle to the sailors and it was no surprise to see the fastest boats returning with all sail aloft at the start of the afternoon. Rambler, My Song and Babsy were first home in IRC A, Magic Carpet3 and Galateia among the Wallys, with the subsequent arrival of the Bermuda sloops and cutters, The Blue Peter, Stormy Weather and Galvana among the Classics…

The Cammas effect
The VOR 70 Babsy, ex Puma, sistership to Groupama IV, holds little secret for Franck Cammas. With powerful support from Lionel Péan, his men, Charlie Dalin and the bulk of Team France, the skipper of the French entry in the last America’s Cup enjoyed champagne sailing today. Third in elapsed time, the crew managed to stick with the American Maxi Rambler to take the win in corrected time. Spectre, the British 60-foot Frers-design completes today’s podium. There was an equally superb battle in each of the 5 IRC groups, with just minutes between the fifty-something footers; James Blackmore’s Swan 53 taking the bullet in IRC B.

Magic Carpet3 magical on home waters
The Wally Cento Magic Carpet3 has made Saint Tropez her port of registry so winning here has a very special flavour, as evidenced by the smiles that stretch from ear to ear tonight on each of the faces of the 26 crew members. It was a battle royal on the racetrack today, with gusts of over 27kts recorded at La Fourmigue. Stellar sail changes kept this 100-footer powered up throughout, giving her the speed record for the leg with 25.6kts! This consistent performance was enough to get the better of Open Season and cross ahead of the other Wallycento Galateia just before the finish line after an epic duel. Meantime, in a debut performance, the brand new Tango really made an impression and is likely to be mixing it up with the best of them in the very near future.

The 12 m JI hooked on Les Voiles.
Among the strong line-up of metre boats sailing at Les Voiles, we cannot fail to mention the 12 m JIs, which competed in the America’s Cup from 1958 to 1987. Wind, sea and a great course to Les Issambres really whetted the sailors’ appetites. Sovereign got off to the best start, gallantly holding onto her lead as far as the edge of the bay. Ikra, clearly very at ease in wind gusting to 24 knots and more, snatched control of the fleet and held off France right the way to the finish line. The tone is set then, with the intensity of the racing set to build and build throughout the week.

Rough handling for the 15-metre yachts
With the SW’ly wind gusting to nearly 30 knots at the entrance to the bay, the 15-metre yachts, all a hundred years old or more, weren’t treated with quite the respect they deserve. Vying for the Rolex Trophy, Hispania (Fife 1909) paid the price in the gale and laments mast damage tonight. In the name of prudence, the crew on Mariska opted to retire from the race, leaving Tuiga to take victory in this second race, seriously reshuffling the cards in the battle for the top of the leader board.

News in brief
Alexia Barrier to race in the Vendée Globe
A familiar face at Les Voiles, Imoca sailor Alexia Barrier has scored a hat-trick at Les Voiles! Here in Saint Tropez, her Figaro Bénéteau is sailing in IRC, helmed by Romain Gaillant. She herself is helming Nada, a 6 m JI Fife from 1930. The third piece of news, which she’ll be proudly announcing tomorrow, is the launch of her very own Vendée Globe 2020 project. “My first partner, Pitchoune du monde, which funds orphanages in Asia, has declared that it will be backing me in this adventure,” she explains. “The company’s president couldn’t understand why there weren’t any women at the start of the last Vendée Globe. On this premise, we’ve decided to put the power of singlehanded offshore racing at the service of this cause benefiting orphaned children. As such, it is a project based around sport, adventure and humanitarian aid. We’ve opted to purchase an older generation boat at the end of this year, with work starting on the construction of a new boat in early 2018. (Former winner of the race), Vincent Riou is assisting me with the sporting aspect and the organisation. The Route du Rhum 2018 will serve as my qualifier.”

A native of Quebec at Les Voiles
The on-the-water safety is, as we know, one of the main priorities of the organisers of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Considerable human and technical means are deployed to supervise the races and ensure the sailing rules are adhered by. Among those in charge of this key policing role, Patrick Salvail, a newcomer to the team managed by Philippe Martinez, is unique in that he is from… Quebec! Having already earned the endearing nickname “le caribou” from Georges Kohrel’s team, his good humour ties in perfectly with the spirit of Les Voiles. “I sold my business restoring industrial sites last June and decided to see the world”, he explains candidly. “I looked on the internet for where to find the finest racing and quite spontaneously offered my services volunteering for the team… who’ve accepted me. I’m familiar with the sailing and racing world, having worked on the Transat Québec Saint Malo, but what I see here far exceeds the splendour I have seen before. The atmosphere is extraordinary. However, I’m keeping an eye on my colleagues who, since my arrival, have been trying to lure me with a local drug… Pastis…”

Quotes:

Danny Gallichan, boat captain on Magic Carpet3
“If you want to race in race configuration, you need muscle, and in this case 26 people are required. However, when cruising, 4 people are enough. There are 4 Wally Centos here and it’s very exciting. We have to work hard on the water and dockside to keep up with the more modern craft. We’re constantly looking to make the boat faster. Each year it becomes harder to progress, but the materials and technologies are evolving so fast that you really need to keep on your toes. We have a huge number of sails aboard, according to the courses and the programmes. There’s a great spirit aboard too. There’s a genuine code of ethics within the Wally family. We want to win, but we’re all friends.”

Charlie Dalin (VOR 70 Babsy)

“It’s the perfect day for this boat, which needs strong breeze to show what she’s made of. We sailed very cleanly, without putting in any pointless tacks, making the most of the building wind towards Cavalaire and negotiating the effects of the different sites and headlands to perfection. Sailing with Franck Cammas is a pleasure. You’re constantly learning alongside him. His crew, mixed with that of Lionel Péan, is impeccable.”

Today’s partners…

ROLEX.
For the past 20 years, Rolex and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez have enjoyed a privileged bond. This partnership is characterised by the organisation of two major events in the yachting calendar in France, the Giraglia Rolex Cup and the Rolex Trophy, which has been part of the programme at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez for 11 years. For the 12th edition of the Rolex Trophy, the 15MJ class is being honoured. An iconic category of classic yachts, they still sail today. The Lady Anne, Hispania, Mariska and Tuiga have all punctuated the history of yachting competition around the world.

The values of the Swiss timepiece brand, namely precision, excellence and team spirit, are a reflection of the attitude of the sailors and skippers aboard these cathedrals of sail. Rolex is the title sponsor for around fifteen major yachting events, including the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Rolex Fastnet Race, two classics of offshore racing, the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship, a top-flight one-design competition, not to mention the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup, two particularly spectacular maritime gatherings. The brand also supports World Sailing and a host of prestigious yacht clubs around the world, including the New York Yacht Club in the US and the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, England.

Byblos in party mode
This year, Byblos Saint-Tropez is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary; 5 decades of inspiration and splendour! In the space of just 5 decades, Byblos and the Caves du Roy have become an absolute legend through their history, the passion of their owners – the Chevanne family – the loyalty of their staff, the specificity of their clientele and the prestige of their partners. Witnesses and precursors of the latest trends, the two establishments positively cultivate the luxury of an art of French-style living. Their timelessness is all part of their charm. Never copied or duplicated, Byblos luxuriates in its 17,000m2 space, reinventing modernity by equipping itself with all the latest technologies whilst retaining its unique and indelible cachet. A new generation of rooms now exists with the same eye for detail and uniqueness. Ever greater and more glamorous, they offer contemporary decoration with an eternal charm, utilising the latest technologies to satisfy the desires of an international clientele familiar with the most beautiful palaces on the planet.

The Jury at Les Voiles
Jean-André Cherbonel, NJ (National Judge) FRA
Vic De Smedt, IJ (International Judge) BEL
Yves Léglise, IJ, FRA, President
Walter Mielke, UJ, GER
Eugenio Torre, NJ, ITA

Partners to Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
ROLEX
BMW
GROUPE EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD
WALLY
KAPPA
HOTEL BYBLOS
MERCANTOUR EVENTS
LES MARINES DE COGOLIN
L’ESPRIT VILLAGE DE SAINT-TROPEZ
POMMERY
JETFLY
DANONE
SUZUKI MARINE
LORO PIANA
ENATA
MARE NOSTRUM
AIR FRANCE
CHEVALIER TORPEZ (LES VIGNOBLES DE SAINT TROPEZ)
SUN 7 GRAPHIC

PROGRAMME:
MODERN YACHTS
Saturday 30 September – Sunday 1 October: Registration and inspection
Monday 2, Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4, Thursday 5(J. Laurain Day, Challenge Day), Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October: Coastal course, 1st start 11:00am

CLASSIC YACHTS
Sunday 1 and Monday 2 October: Registration and inspection
Sunday 1 October: finish of the Yacht Club de France’s Coupe d’Automne from Cannes
Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4, Thursday 5 (J. Laurain Day, Challenge Day, Club 55 Cup, GYC Centenary Trophy), Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October: Coastal course, 1st start 12:00 noon

Prize-giving for everyone
Sunday 8 October, from 11:00am

Organisation:
Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, Commodore: André Beaufils
Principal Race Officer: Georges Korhel
On the water organisation: Philippe Martinez
On shore logistics: Emmanuelle Filhastre

Financial management: Delphine Reusse
Registration: Frédérique Fantino
Communication: Chloé de Brouwer
Website: www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr
Facebook: Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez official
Twitter: @VoilesSTOrg

Press Relations:
Maguelonne Turcat
Tel +33 (0)6 09 95 58 91
Email magturcat@gmail.com

Photos:
Gilles Martin-Raget, www.martin-raget.com

Les Voiles de St.Tropez 30.09.2017

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30.09.2017

The festival days are here again

– 19th edition of Les Voiles
– Yacht Club de France’s Autumn Cup; game on for the Classics tomorrow
– French America’s Cup skipper Franck Cammas competing at Les Voiles
– André Beaufils: “Les Voiles is improving year on year”

It’s been a long wait since last year’s edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, but finally the action will kick off again tomorrow in the South of France for 4,000 international racers and their 300 Classic or Modern yachts. Indeed, the Yacht Club de France’s customary Autumn Cup will give everyone a foretaste of the sumptuous feast of racing to come when several dozen Classics glide into the bay of Saint Tropez from Cannes, midway through the afternoon, powered by what promises to be a bracing and rather chilly northerly wind.

Classic Sunday; Modern Monday
With the arrival of the Classics from Cannes setting the tone tomorrow, Monday will be coloured by the highly eclectic fleet of Modern yachts. The futuristic-looking Wallys, which beautifully combine design and performance, are sure to attract attention once again. In fact, 2017 heralds the 20th anniversary of the Magic Carpet saga, which has long been associated with one of the most solid sporting teams of the series led by its owner Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, triple champion in elapsed time of the Giraglia Rolex Cup. Wallycento Tango, skippered by Marc Pajot, a top Olympic sailor and world champion, will be putting in her first tacks in anger in this wonderful setting this year. Clearly sport and spectacle will be a common thread among the big IRC boats too, with Canonball, a 72-foot maxi built by Premier Composite Technologies in Dubai according to Botin Partners design, likely to create a stir against the series’ giants and hot shots: My Song, Rambler, La Bete (former Rambler), Varsovie and Wallyno… Among all the series, there will of course be the familiar myriad of racers from all kinds of sailing backgrounds, ranging from the America’s Cup to the speedy Mini 6.50s; the latter boats due to set sail from La Rochelle tomorrow on what will be their 40th anniversary. It will come as no surprise then that on one VOR 70, the former Puma, there will be two French winners of the Volvo Ocean race (ex Whitbread), Lionel Péan and Franck Cammas, for whom this will be the first time they’ve raced together on the same boat…

Racing will also commence on Monday for the Trophée Rolex, which has been played out at Les Voiles since 2006. To follow on from the „Grands Tradition“ category in 2016, this year the trophy will reward the best 15 m JI. The four fabulous boats that make up this series, Tuiga, Hispania, The Lady Anne and Mariska, are all over a hundred years old and perfectly embody the golden age of yachting and their legendary architect, William Fife.

From Tuesday, the traditional yachts will hit the racetrack, with a debut appearance at Les Voiles by Chips, an elegant P Class cutter designed by the America’s Cup genius, Starling Burgess (Ranger, Rainbow) in 1913. She will compete alongside more of Burgess’ jewels: Jour de Fête (Q Class), Olympian (P Class) and Spartan (NY 50).

The Yacht Club de France’s Autumn Cup
The Yacht Club de France is 150 years old, making its Autumn Cup all the more special for its President Yves Lagane. A race linking “Les Régates Royales” in Cannes and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the Cup always kicks off festivities in Saint Tropez in spectacular fashion. With several dozen yachts split into four classes, the fleet appear on the horizon at Tour du Portalet with all their sails aloft, bows pressed, in the bid to be first to complete the 21-mile sprint.
All the competitors aboad the traditional yachts must be at the Race Committee’s disposal at 11:00am off the port of Cannes. A solid 15 to 20 knots of NE’ly breeze is expected, with the prize-giving to be hosted in La Batterie in Saint Tropez at 20:00pm, followed by a cocktail.

This year, Les Voiles takes place entirely in October: Why?
As a rule, Les Voiles takes place over the weekend that bridges September and October. A particularity of the 2017 calendar gives the option of two weekends that fall into these criteria. Hence the traditional feeder race from Cannes to Saint-Tropez hosted by the Yacht Club de France’s autumn cup determines the date, kicking off the festivities at Les Voiles on Sunday 1 October.

Quotes:
André Beaufils, President of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez
“We’re not reinventing Les Voiles! Year on year we try to please owners, skippers and racers, both on shore and at sea. Any new features are introduced with a view to being in harmony with the event, which always has beautiful classic and modern yachts to discover, with the site evolving according to the contingencies of the port and our partners. Supported by our loyal partner Rolex, the revamped race village will host 22 exhibitors throughout the week, with a large bar forming the post-racing hub each evening.”

Partners to Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
ROLEX
BMW
GROUPE EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD
WALLY
KAPPA
HOTEL BYBLOS
MERCANTOUR EVENTS
LES MARINES DE COGOLIN
L’ESPRIT VILLAGE DE SAINT-TROPEZ
POMMERY
JETFLY
DANONE
SUZUKI MARINE
LORO PIANA
ENATA
MARE NOSTRUM
AIR FRANCE
CHEVALIER TORPEZ (LES VIGNOBLES DE SAINT TROPEZ)
SUN 7 GRAPHIC

PROGRAMME:
MODERN YACHTS
Saturday 30 September – Sunday 1 October: Registration and inspection
Monday 2, Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4, Thursday 5(J. Laurain Day, Challenge Day), Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October: Coastal course, 1st start 11:00am

CLASSIC YACHTS
Sunday 1 and Monday 2 October: Registration and inspection
Sunday 1 October: finish of the Yacht Club de France’s Coupe d’Automne from Cannes
Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4, Thursday 5 (J. Laurain Day, Challenge Day, Club 55 Cup, GYC Centenary Trophy), Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October: Coastal course, 1st start 12:00 noon

Prize-giving for everyone
Sunday 8 October, from 11:00am

Organisation:
Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, Commodore: André Beaufils
Principal Race Officer: Georges Korhel
On the water organisation: Philippe Martinez
On shore logistics: Emmanuelle Filhastre

Financial management: Delphine Reusse
Registration: Frédérique Fantino
Communication: Chloé de Brouwer
Website: www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr
Facebook: Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez official
Twitter: @VoilesSTOrg

Press Relations:
Maguelonne Turcat
Tel +33 (0)6 09 95 58 91
Email magturcat@gmail.com

Photos:
Gilles Martin-Raget, www.martin-raget.com

Les Voiles de St.Tropez 2016

Fotogalerie Les Voiles de St.Tropez 2016

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