Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2016

From 24 September to 2 October, the Voiles de St Tropez will welcome over three hundred of the world's most beautiful sailing yachts, with a new wave of modern yachts and the return of the classics. Organized by the Société Nautique of Saint-Tropez, this year also sees the launch of the fully revamped race village.

Modern Sailing Yachts

Always a crowd puller, the Wally fleet never fails to provide a thrill, including the state-of-the-art monohull Magic Carpet 3, with Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones at the helm, proof that a hundred footer can be a formidable opponent against the maxis in the race for the BMW Trophy.

Thoroughbreds of the IRC C racing class - TP52, GP 42, Farr 42, Swan 45 and 42 – will vye for the Edmond de Rothschild Trophy, with the GC32 Edmond de Rothschild. As the financial group celebrates the 140^th anniversary of the first Gitana, the GC32 Edmond de Rothschild will make a second appearance this year. Gitana star, Sebastien Josse, is also preparing for the start of the Vendée Globe on 6 November, on board mono 60, Edmond de Rothschild.

The Classics

This year a new class has been created to accomodate yachts which do not fit into the established categories, with entry subject to the discreton of the Société Nautique. 

The Rolex Trophy, in existence since 2006, will be awarded to the yacht with the highest score in the ‘Grands Tradition’ class. So far there are 11 entries including the original 1928 23m Fife, Cambria, and the gaff rigged schooner, Puritan, designed in 1931 by John G. Alden. 

Upgrade to Race Village

The Race Village will be entirely revamed this year in light of extensive renovations to the capitanerie. Measuring 70m by 10m, there is welcome area, a 20m bar and terrace, the popular Kappa boutique and a press office, courtesy of new sponsor, Mercantour Events.  

Sponsors to the Voiles de St Tropez include: Rolex, BMW, Groupe Edmond de Rothschild, Wally, Kappa, Hotel Byblos, Mercantour Events, Les Marines de Cogolin and L'Esprit Village de Commercants de Saint Tropez. 

Programme: Voiles de St Tropez 2016

Modern Yachts

Saturday 24 September - Sunday 25: Registration and inspection.
Monday 26 September - Saturday 1 October: Coastal racing (11:00am start).
*Thursday 29: J. Laurain Day Challenge Day. 

Classic Yachts

Sunday 25 and Monday 26 September: Registration and inspection.
Sunday 25 September: Yacht Club de France’s Autumn Cup from Cannes finish.
Tuesday 27 - Saturday 1 October: Coastal racing (12:00 noon start).
*Thursday 29: J. Laurain Day, Challenge Day, Club 55 Cup, GYC Centenary Trophy. 

Prize-giving:

Sunday 2 October, from 11:00am.

Organisation:

Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, President: André Beaufils
Principal Race Officer: Georges Korhel
On-water organisation: Philippe Martinez
On-shore administration and logistics: Emmanuelle Filhastre
Registration: Frédérique Fantino
Communication: Chloé de Brouwer
Photos: Gilles Martin-Raget

*Image credits: Gilles Martin-Raget; OnboardOnline