Anticipation grows for the tenth edition of the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy
by Gstaad Yacht Club 15 Aug 2021 02:02 PDT
30 September 2021
Intense racing in Saint Tropez at the 2018 Gstaad YC Centenary Trophy © Juerg Kaufmann /
www.go4image.co
Anticipation is growing for the tenth edition of the Centenary Trophy, the regatta-event organised by the Gstaad Yacht Club to celebrate the most beautiful boats of one hundred years and more.
After the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 event due to the restrictions imposed by the Covid 19 pandemic, the Centenary Trophy returns this year with the edition of the decade.
A special date, despite the fact that it seems like yesterday in 2011 when the Gstaad Yacht Club launched the unique idea of bringing together the most beautiful boats aged one hundred years and more in the Mediterranean. Over the years the regatta has seen the participation of some of the most fascinating and best performing boats from the last century, racing with a pursuit format with staggered starts and thanks to a handicap system that allows the most diverse yachts to compete on equal terms.
Manrico Iachia, the Gstaad Yacht Club's Commodore, highlights the crucial importance of the event in the history of the Swiss club. "The Centenary Trophy is the pillar in our calendar, the major sailing event and the key regatta we organise on the sea and outside Switzerland. It was back in 2011 when the owner of gaff cutter Mariquita -that had just turned 100 years old- together with founding member and first GYC Commodore George Nicholson, Peter Erzberger and Giancarlo Camerana had the great idea to gather the best centenarian yachts for a race dedicated exclusively to them.
"Moreover, the 10th edition marks a renewed collaboration with the Société Nautique de Saint Tropez, which happens to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Nioulargue. We really hope that the two events can represent a return to life, giving participants a chance to fully enjoy their passion, and a positive message for the future. So plenty of reasons to salute the 2011 Centenary Trophy," concludes Iachia.
French skipper and America's Cup veteran Bruno Troublé is one of the keenest admirers of the event. "I know very well the format of the Centenary Trophy since I introduced the race during the Nioulargue in...1988! The Centenary Trophy is based on the simple but great concept where you start according to your rating, meaning you take your handicap at the start, not at the finish. I love the event and I just hope it will go on!"
Daniel Heine, owner and skipper of Silhouette and member of the Gstaad Yacht Club, is also a "regular" to the event and explains: "For me the Centenary Trophy is ideal to showcase centenarian yachts and their performances, thanks to its pursuit race format. The racing aspect of being first over the line in combination with the conviviality of Les Voiles de St. Tropez and the Gstaad Yacht Club's is unique in today's classic yacht racing circuit.
More information and a gallery of stunning pictures from past editions can be found at the Centenary Trophy website: gyccentenarytrophy.com