This year, 330 of the most beautiful classic and modern boats will be present in the Bay of Saint-Tropez, along with 4,000 crew members. This unmissable yachting event has been organised by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez for fifteen years now. Visitors will be able to welcome the arrival of the classic yachts, participants in the Coupe d'Automne du Yacht-Club de France, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. On Monday 28th, it will be the modern yachts as well as the 15mJI that will open the ball.
Class J, 15mJI the mythical ones
These monohulls of nearly 40 metres were designated by the Universal Rules to compete in the America's Cup regattas between 1930 and 1937. They were the largest sailing ships of their time, with the largest sail areas ever used until then. Their large size gradually 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 there. The elegant auric cutters, which come from the most beautiful units of the golden age of yachting and were designed by William Fife, will compete in the golden rules of yachting on Monday 29th September and Thursday 2nd October at 11am, in addition to the programme planned for the traditional yachts. We will therefore find Hispania (1909), Tuiga , Mariska and The Lady Anne .
The Wally, modern sea lords of the seas
With their carbon masts, these prestigious yachts, which sometimes exceed 40 metres in length, are designed individually by the world's most talented design firms (German Frers, Farr Yacht Design, etc.). A record 15 units are given at the start. The Wally combines many characteristics: fast, comfortable and easy to handle.
Centenary Trophy
Around thirty century-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 the "Voiles de Saint-Tropez" Ikra a 12mJI built by Alexander Robertson & Sons in 1964. Built as part of the English challenge for the America's Cup, the Kurrewa V (as it was called at the time) changed its name in 1968 and again in 1976 when it took its current name. The 21-metre monohull Ikra has a fine track record: multiple winner of the traditional sailing yacht regattas, Rolex Trophy in 2013 for the second time (an award for the best traditional sailing yacht over 16 metres in length in regattas).
Built in 1914 at the Fairlie shipyard in Scotland on William Fife's plans, this 32 m long gaff cutter had to wait until 1920 to be definitively armed. Renovated in 2001 in a Burmese shipyard, the largest of the Moonbeams will celebrate its hundredth anniversary in Saint-Tropez, which will allow it to take part in the Centenary Trophy, organised by the Gstaad Yacht Club on Thursday 2nd October. He made his first steps in racing and won the King's Cup competitions in 1920 and 1923. Bought in 1950 by Prince Rainier of Monaco, she welcomes the young princely couple on board for their wedding night.
The Club 55 Cup new edition
Relaunched in 2003, the Club 55 Cup is above all a true tribute to the spirit of regatta, as it was practiced in the last century. To take part in it, you have to follow a few rules: two boats challenge each other on Thursday on a 15 nautical mile course from the Tour du Portalet to the Club 55. The one that 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 . Certainly this year, there will still be changes in the competition, forcing the owner to be on board his boat.
A blessing of a restored boat and a great party in the streets of Saint-Tropez
On Monday the 28th, the sailboats are blessed again by Monsignor Michel Hayès from the Balcony of the Hotel "Le Sube", reviving the traditions of the Nioulargue. On Wednesday evening, there will be a boules competition and throughout the week, a party at the Place des Lices. Finally, the party will also take place on land with the famous costumed parade of the crews which will take place on Thursday at 7 pm. Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is also an opportunity to meet sailors from all countries and from all over the world: solo sailors from the Route du Rhum, the Figaro or the Vendée Globe, America's Cup stars or regulars from the modern or classic circuits.
