Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Day 6 - The vim and vigour of Les Voiles!

Voiles de Saint-Tropez day 6 © Gilles Martin-Raget

Enjoying breeze, sunshine, numerous races validated and a sporty and resolutely positive atmosphere, barely altered by the health context, the first part of the new format Les Voiles, which has this year been extended to two weeks, rounds off after a final day of racing contested in a medium wind and azure skies.

The prize-giving ceremony organised in the Race Village this evening brings to an end Act 1 of the 2020 edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. As the big boats, maxi yachts and large schooners prepare to join the fray this coming Tuesday, the 130 racers measuring less than 20 metres, which have been putting on a dazzling spectacle throughout the week in France's Var region, will this evening be justly rewarded for all their efforts as numerous Trophies are awarded to the different fleets.

Sailors, skippers and owners have given their all during these past 4 days of racing, really adding some pizzazz to what has otherwise been a rather forgettable season, scarred by numerous cancellations. As such, satisfaction was the overriding sentiment among the participants tonight, who are grateful for the great variety of wind and sea conditions throughout the week.

This evening, the event celebrates the crews who have demonstrated the greatest versatility and adaptability, as much in the light airs as the meatier breeze. The next two days will be dedicated to a wave of comings and goings as the event prepares to host Act II of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the Voiles Super Series, with play set to kick off on Tuesday 6 October.

Voiles de Saint-Tropez day 6 - photo © Gilles Martin-Raget

Results online this evening!

The Prize-giving will be held this Saturday evening in the Village des Voiles, where the social distancing guidelines will be of paramount importance. All the results and Trophies will be posted up at www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr/regates/resultats-vdst

Eva, Power to the women!

No fewer than 12 Trophies will be awarded to the winners of the various groups in the competition. Among the most prestigious is the Rolex Trophy, which has shone a spotlight on one of the classes of classic yachts since 2006. This year, it will go to the group of Period Gaffer Bs, a category grouping together the oldest yachts signed up for Les Voiles. And it is Eva, the 1906 Fife design which has enjoyed a brilliant regatta, winning two of the three races validated. Up against the formidable Viola (Fife 1908), Eva (Fife 1906) dominated play with a crew which was predominantly female, since 7 of the 9 crew were women, including skipper Charlotte Franquet. Eva also happens to be owned by Pete Townsend, the famous guitarist in The Who.

Charlotte Franquet (Eva - Fife 1906):
"We're delighted to win the Rolex Trophy, amidst an atmosphere of joy and good humour to boot, with a crew that is 80% female. This last day was a bit complicated for us as we didn't have the right sail. This year, the Rolex Trophy comprised a very fine group, the Period Gaffer Bs, which boasted some exceptional craft. It's really nice to win here. I've helmed Eva for the past 16 years and she's a fantastic Fife design. She is a precursor of the metre boats, but she was designed before the 'international rule' came out in 1907. She had two sisterships, which have not survived, and in fact Eva herself was abandoned for a long time in Spain. Her present owner, since 2013, maintains her well and enables her to sail. It's crazy how elegant these yachts are and we're here not just for performance but to show what we're made of. These craft have a lot of constraints and it's down to us to adapt to them. We try to sail well and cleanly so that everyone enjoys themselves and if we get the results we're after then it's fantastic. Les Voiles is a very special event for me, as I've lived around the bay for a long time. It's quite a moment and it's wonderful that Les Voiles has been able to go ahead. It's part of a tradition. It's an unmissable meet. I race with local sailors from Saint Tropez, 7 girls and 2 boys, and the bay is our playing field of choice."

Tony Oller, Managing Director of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez:
"It's all systems go this evening. The week has gone very smoothly, as everyone's played the game. I'd like to thank all the crew who have taken heed of the gravity of the pandemic and have adapted their behaviour accordingly, which has allowed us to host the event. The weather has been full of contrasts, with some great days of racing, but also one difficult day yesterday with the storm phenomenon. We'll attack the second week with real gusto. Despite everything, the restricted village this year has proven to be a hit as a result of its more intimate feel. Of course I very much hope that next year's event will see the return of the bar, which really adds to the sociability and atmosphere of our evenings. The sailors do greatly appreciate the fact that we've really had to work hard to ensure Les Voiles could be run. We've done it for them and they know that, which is another reason why their behaviour has been exemplary."

Week 1: The Voiles de Saint-Tropez

• Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September: registration for boats up to 20 meters (except for certain classes)
• Monday 28th September: racing for modern yachts
• Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th September, Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd October: racing for modern yachts and classic yachts
• Thursday 1st October: Challenge Day
• Saturday 3rd October: prize-giving (week 1)

Week 2: The Voiles Super Boats

• Sunday 4th and Monday 5th October: big boat registration (Wally, IRCA, Maxi yachts, big Classic, big Schooner)
• Tuesday 6th, Wednesday 7th, Thursday 8th, Friday 9th: big boat racing
• Friday 9th October: prize-giving (week 2)

www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr