Centenary Trophy - Two months to the 3rd edition

by Carla Anselmi on 5 Aug 2013 The third edition of the Centenary Trophy, the only racing event that gathers the old ladies of the classic yachts circuit, 100 hundred years of more of age, is just two months away and the Gstaad Yacht Club are working non stop together with the organizers of the Voiles the Saint-Tropez, hosting event of the regatta, to make sure that everything is ready to welcome the participants.

While the classic yachting summer season is full on, with regattas succeeding one another in the best Mediterranean venues, entries to the Centenary Trophy are also starting to be confirmed.

The first boat to formalize her participation is last year's winner: the fore and aft cutter Marigold owned by Englishman Richard Allan and dating back to 1892, when she was launched at the Camper and Nicholson shipyard in Gosport, UK.

'I'm delighted to confirm that this year I will be racing on the magnificent black hulled Marigold, to defend the title her owner and friend Richard Allan and his strong crew so skilfully conquered in 2012. No matter how tough the competition will be, I am confident racing her will be fun and entertaining' said Nicholson George Nicholson, who once again will be part of the crew that won the prestigious trophy last year in Saint Tropez.

Also expected to be on the starting line is Italy's Five tonner Bonafide (launched 1899) that will without question aim at repeating her victory in the 2011 opening edition.

The Centenary Trophy will take place on October 3rd, on the day that was traditionally devoted to the 'défis', individual challenges between boats, and once again be raced with an especially created and constantly refined handicap system in a pursuit race, a format that has been proving extremely attractive not only for sailors but for the public alike, as easy to understand and follow. 'With the results of this year's edition of the Centenary Trophy, we will have three results that will give us the chance together to adjust, with the Société Nautique de St. Tropez's help, the handicap formula to come closer to our original goal. For the fourth edition in 2014 we hope that all boats will cross the line in front of the beautiful port of Saint Tropez almost at the same time'. Said Commodore Peter Erzberger, who is looking forward to the event.

The winner will be awarded with the exclusive trophy, created by Wakely and Wheeler of London in 1911. The event is organized by The Gstaad Yacht Club in co-operation with the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez. Gstaad YC website