Opening day for Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez

by Key Partners (KPMS) on 3 Oct 2006
The show began today in Saint-Tropez for the 8th edition of Les Voiles formerly known as La Nioulargue and first held in 1981. Today saw the start of racing for the Modern division, a competitive mix of boats including Swans, Beneteaus, and Wally Yachts.

The moderns ranges in size from the 9m (30') J/92 J'Go to the stunning 42m (140') schooner, Mari-Cha IV, which last year broke the 100-year old transatlantic race record and took line honours in the Rolex Translantic Challenge. Racing for the Tradition class begins tomorrow at noon; racing for all classes continues until Saturday.

Yesterday witnessed the traditional feeder race from Cannes to Saint-Tropez for those yachts that had been taking part in the Regates Royales. Competing for the Autumn Cup presented by the Yacht Club de France, sixty classic yachts set off on the 24 miles course, with the 25 metre Reimers-designed yawl, Agnet first to arrive at the finish off the Portalet.

A total of 111 yachts are entered in the Tradition division this year, and these classic yachts were arriving all through the day Sunday and Monday into Saint-Tropez. The yachts are berthed tightly together, moored stern-to along the quay and it is a quite a sight- the yachts are impressive in size and striking in beauty.

Many of the most famous naval architects in yachting history are represented in Saint-Tropez, among them Fife, Herreshoff, Alden, Sparkman & Stephens, and Mylne. The crews too include some well-known professionals and classic aficionados from the sailing world. Onboard the 41m (135') Eleanora, a spectacular replica of Nathanael Herreshoff's legendary schooner Westward, is the designer's grandson, Halsey Herreshoff, President of the Herreshoff Marine Museum. Halsey has some history in the Med having raced his own boat Rugosa, a New York 40 in past classic events and most recently took part in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup.

Also on the quay is Hallowe'en (formerly Cotton Blossom IV), which was restored in the late 1980's by the Museum of Yachting in Newport, Rhode Island and brought to the Mediterranean in the '90's. Dutchman Paul van derBijl, an avid sailor who has previously campaigned the 8m, Hybris and the 12m, Eileen, bought Hallowe'en in the mid-90's and has had a successful run in the classic regattas, sailing with the same crew of talented friends.

Former America's Cup tactician Harold Cudmore is sailing on Rowdy, a NY 40, a highly competitive class designed for the New York Yacht Club at the beginning of the last century; there are only a handful of the NY40's still sailing today. New to this year's event, the Trophée Rolex will be awarded to the 'Tradition' division sailing yacht of more than 16 metres, which has the lowest score for the regatta. There are 52 boats eligible for the Trophée Rolex and the winner will also receive a steel Rolex Submariner timepiece.

Oldest Boat

Designed by J. Beaver Webb (designer of the America's Cup challenger, Galatea), Partridge is 22.50 metres in length. She was constructed in five months and launched in 1885 by the builder Camper & Nicholson in Gosport, England.

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez in brief :

8th edition - Created in 1999 as a replacement for La Nioulargue (1981- 1995)
Dates : October 2 - 8, 2006:
Modern class, 155 entries
Tradition class, 111 (Rolex Trophy, 52)
Spirit of Tradition class : 21

Programme

Modern Yachts
Saturday 30 September - Sunday 1 October: Welcome and Registration

Monday 2nd, Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4, Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October: Coastal races, 1st start 11:30

Thursday 5: J. Laurain Day, Wally Day, Challenge Day, from 12:00

Traditional Yachts
Saturday 30 September - Monday 2 October: Welcome and Registration

Sunday 1: arrival from Cannes of the Yacht Club de France's Autumn Cup

Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4, Friday 6 and Saturday 7: Coastal races, 1st start 12:00

Thursday 5: J. Laurain Day, Challenge Day, Trophée Mer et Bateaux - La Grande Classe, Club 55 Cup, from 12:00

Prizegiving Ceremony - Sunday October 8, from 11:00 located at the Cittadelle