Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez - Day 3

Today Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez enjoyed a resolutely sporty atmosphere. Yesterday's races, fiercely contested on a lovely swell, provided the first indication of the movers and shakers and there were numerous racers this morning on a quest for either confirmation or redemption.

As such, the race starts in both the Modern category off Pampelonne, and the Classics in the middle of the gulf, were the subject of some heated exchanges and hence some showstopping action, all the sailors eager to post a solid performance in their bid for a trophy. The youngsters also got a chance to have their first play-off within the Petites Voiles tournament in Saint Tropez today. And so, at the midway mark in this beautiful, timeless week of yachting, Thursday will be dedicated to challenge day.

The Mini-Maxi 72s move up into the lead in IRC A

Among the Modern yachts, the 72-foot Mini Maxis are reigning supreme at the top of the IRC A group in both elapsed and corrected time after the two races validated by these classes. Jethou, owned by Sir Peter Ogden, is sharing the lead with Cannonball owned by the Italian Dario Ferrari. With a victory and a second place each, separated by mere seconds, these two 'fighter planes' are stuck to each other like glue and the battle is set to go right to the wire on the final tack of the final race. Though the American 'record beast' took the win today in real time, the big maxi so cherished by Georges David, has since plunged to the depths of the ranking in corrected time.

Among the IRC Bs, Adria 49 Flo d'Orient owned by Bernard Coquelet took the fleet by surprise by getting the better of the most high-performing 50-footers of the moment at the midway mark, including Daguet 2, Mylius 50 and the JV 60 Phoenix, the favourites of the group.

Gladiator, Tony Langley's TP52, seems to have taken a great option in the Edmond de Rothschild Trophy, bagging two wins since the start of the week. Completing the provisional podium are Furtif2 (Farr 52) and Mathilde (Swan 50), but given its current form, they might not get a chance to close on the leader.

The low-down on the Wallys

After two magnificent windward-leeward races yesterday, today the futuristic Wallys were treated to a fine coastal course in the form of a large triangle of around twenty miles or so. On their dedicated race zone off Pampelonne, a good southerly breeze kicked in around midday to very quickly provide them with all the necessary sail fuel to power up these impressive yachts. Magic Carpet3 was seriously shaken up from the get-go today, by another Wally Cento, Galateia, which enjoyed an absolutely cracking start at the committee boat end of the line. With the freshening breeze, the large white Wally was able to keep the Wally 77 Lyra at a distance, the latter very quick despite her 80-foot waterline.

Rolex Trophy: a hotly contested Jubilee

The navigators in charge of the choice of route aboard the stunning group of Fifes needed a great deal of inspiration to extract themselves from a windless start line. Any breeze there was favoured the yachts that headed out across the right-hand side of the race zone. The 15 mJ The Lady Anne, very at ease since the start of the season, and already on the pace yesterday, stretched away from the other three 15 mJs. 20 Fife designs are racing in a very distinct group within the context of the Rolex Trophy. Viola, (1908), is continuing on a roll after a stellar performance last week in Cannes, rounded off by a race victory yesterday.

"Les Petites Voiles" - another way of sharing Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez

24 local boys and girls aged 6 to 12, members of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, had an emotional day they'll remember for a long time to come. Indeed, on the initiative of Tony Oller, President of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, they had the privilege and the joy of racing around the cans at the heart of the port where the most beautiful yachts in the world moor at the end of each day of racing in Les Voiles. It was a very proud moment for the families as the big crowds applauded their season 1 performance.

Tomorrow: the Club 55 Cup, instigator of challenges

Created in September 1981, the Club 55 Cup has been a highlight of the week of yachting in Saint Tropez as it celebrates the true spirit of racing. The original challenge launched in 1981 by Jean Rédélé on Ikra and Dick Jayson on Pride, is revived each year in the form of a duel between a "defender" and its "challenger" along an historic course from Le Portalet to the Nioulargue mark, then on to the Club 55 in Pampelonne. Patrice de Colmont still presides over the destinies of these Voiles highlights, which are coloured by a spirit of friendship and conviviality so unique to Saint Tropez. The rules stipulate that two boats challenge one another over this 15-nautical mile course and the one that finishes first wins and challenges the boat of their choice the following year. All of this culminates in an unmissable lunch beneath the tamarisks of the Club 55 for both crews. A deposit in bottles of rosé is required but who holds it and where it ends up are a mystery! The only thing for sure is that the owner must be aboard on Challenge Day.

For this 2018 edition, Savannah, the 27.50m sloop designed by Pedrick (1996), has chosen to challenge Eugenia VII.

Did you know?

It would seem that the start of the Fife business is one of the key factors in the development of yachting in Scotland. The yard's origins date back to around 1790, when William Fife began to build small boats in Fairlie, a village located to the south-west of the Clyde estuary. It is said that the young man, not smitten by the job of cartwright taught to him by his father, opted instead to become a marine carpenter.

Today's partner - KAPPA & Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez

For the eighth consecutive year, Robe di Kappa is the official clothing partner for this major gathering of sailing enthusiasts. In this way, for its latest collection, the Italian label is offering a wide range of chic sportswear, available across three distinct domains. The collection for Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2018 is very sporty and highly inspired by the yachting universe. It is sure to delight chic sportswear fans and those who love the boating environment in particular. Robe di Kappa offers stylish pieces, which are shaped and elegant. There is a very polished 2018 vintage with a rich new collection crowned by the Doris Polo. The latter is a limited edition that is numbered, with numerous motifs and embroidery. Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2018 collection also comprises T-Shirts, short-sleeve and long-sleeve polo shirts, shirts, shorts and Bermuda shorts with certain pieces referencing the rugbywear codes. This 2018 collection also contains accessories like a bag, a towel and a scarf...

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