This year, 300 of the most beautiful classic and modern boats will be present in the bay of Saint-Tropez, as well as 4,000 crew members. This not-to-be-missed yachting event has been organized by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez for fifteen years now. On Sunday afternoon, September 28, visitors will be able to welcome the arrival of classic yachts, participants in the Autumn Cup of the Yacht-Club de France, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. On the 29th, the modern yachts and the 15mJI will open the ball, and finally on the 30th, all will take to the sea for the organized competitions.
Class J, 15mJI the mythical
These monohulls, nearly 40 meters long, were designated by the Universal Rules to compete in the America's Cup between 1930 and 1937. They were the largest yachts of their time, with the largest sail area ever used. Their large size progressively excluded them from the Cup regattas. It is in front of the beach of Pampelonne that the 15mJI will set off to offer a breathtaking spectacle. This year, the four members of the "royal" caste will be present. The elegant gold cutters, which come from the most beautiful boats of the golden age of yachting and which were designed by William Fife, will compete in the golden rules of yachting on Monday, September 29 and Thursday, October 2 at 11:00 am, in addition to the program planned for the traditional sailboats. We will thus find Hispania (1909), Tuiga , Mariska and The Lady Anne .
The Wallys, modern lords of the seas
With their carbon masts, these prestigious yachts, which sometimes exceed 40 meters, are designed individually by the worldâ??s most talented architectural firms (German Frers, Farr Yacht Designâeuros¦). Wallys combine many features: fast, comfortable and easy to handle.
50 years of Ikra
About thirty hundred-year-old boats will take part in the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, but this year will also be the occasion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ikra kurrewa V was a 12mJI built by Alexander Robertson & Sons in 1964. Built as part of the British challenge for the America's Cup, Kurrewa V (as it was then called) changed its name in 1968 and again in 1976, when it took on its current name. The 21-meter monohull Ikra has a great track record: multiple winner of traditional sailing regattas, Rolex Trophy in 2013 for the second time (award for the best traditional sailing yacht over 16 meters in the regatta).
The hundred years of Moonbeam IV
Built in 1914 at the Fairlie shipyard in Scotland to William Fife's designs, this 32 m long cutter had to wait until 1920 to be definitively fitted out. Renovated in 2001 in a Burmese shipyard, the largest of the Moonbeams will celebrate her 100th birthday in Saint-Tropez, which will allow her to participate in the Centenary Trophy, organized by the Gstaad Yacht-Club on Thursday, October 2. She made her first steps in racing and won the King's Cup competitions in 1920 and 1923. Purchased in 1950 by Prince Rainier of Monaco, she welcomed the young princely couple on board for their wedding night.
The Club 55 Cup new edition
Relaunched in 2003, the Club 55 Cup is first and foremost a tribute to the spirit of regattas as they were practiced in the last century. To participate, you must follow a few rules: two boats challenge each other on Thursday over a 15 nautical mile course from the Tour du Portalet to the Club 55. The one who finishes the course before the other then challenges another boat the following year. This year, Moonbeam III will face Lelantina and Altair will face Halloween . In 2015, there will be further developments in the competition, requiring the owner to be on board his boat.
A blessing of boat reinstated and a big party in the streets of Saint-Tropez
Since last year, the sailboats are again baptized by Father Hayes, reviving the traditions of the Nioulargue. This year, it will take place on September 29, in the port of Saint-Tropez, at 9 am. Finally, the festival will also take place on land with the famous parade of crews in costume which will take place on Thursday at 7 pm. On Wednesday evening, there will be a boules competition and throughout the week, a party at the Place des Lices. The Voiles de Saint-Tropez is also an opportunity to meet sailors from all countries and all horizons: solo sailors from the Route du Rhum, the Figaro or the Vendée Globe, America's Cup stars or regulars from modern or classic circuits.
Program of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez :
MODERN SAILBOATS
Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September: Reception and control of the boats.
Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 September, Wednesday 1, Thursday 2 (J.Laurain Day, Challenge Day), Friday 3 and Saturday 4 October: Coastal course, 1st departure at 11 am.
TRADITIONAL SAILBOATS
Sunday 28 and Monday 29 September: Reception and control of the boats.
Sunday 28 September: arrival of the Yacht-Club de France Autumn Cup from Cannes
Tuesday 30 September, Wednesday 1, Thursday 2 (J. Laurain Day, Challenge Day, Club 55 Cup, GYC
Centenary Trophy), Friday 3 and Saturday 4 October: Coastal course, 1st start 12:00
The prize-giving ceremony will take place on October 5 at 11 a.m. for all participants.
