Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez - Maxi Day 4
by Maguelonne Turcat 8 Oct 2022 10:20 AEDT
24 September - 8 October 2022
"A very light mistral at Les Issambres!" Booming out over the VHF, it was all that was needed by the Race Committee, who were waiting early this afternoon to release the Maxis into the arena created by the Gulf of Saint Tropez.
And so it was, shortly after 14:00 hours local time, that the start signal got today's racing under way. A soft breeze, building slightly, drew the fleet of Maxis out towards Les Issambres, upwind at a gentle trot, before a sequence of manoeuvres with the wind on the beam by way of a prelude to the energetic final stampede downwind.
These amazing Maxis are capable of driving out any sniff of a breeze along the shores of France's Var region, where the summer continues to linger. That's right, the wonderful seaside setting of Saint Tropez once again played host to the spellbinding spectacle of Maxis in full race mode, positioned on the racetrack with incredible skill by their top-flight international crews.
The first two days of racing this week have already revealed the movers and shakers in each category, and today's races gave each crew a sharp insight into the sometimes stark reality of the handicaps in corrected time.
Spirit of Malouen X to the power of 2
This Friday, a second race victory was awarded to Spirit of Malouen X, the French Wally 107, which managed to repeat her performance from Wednesday in the Maxi 1 category competing for the North Sails Trophy. Stéphane Névé's men secured the win today with a lead of over 12 minutes ahead of the gigantic Swan 115 Jasi.
"Without the mistakes we made in the first race, we could have won all the races by this evening," explains Cédric Chateau. "Spirit Of Malouen X is really at ease in the light airs. These conditions are ideal for settling in our new crew members. We're not making any mistakes now and Laurent Pagès manages to concoct the perfect trajectories for us. We've really got into our stride."
Pattoo, the massive McKeon design (33 m), which took the win at the start of the week, completes the day's podium, and tonight she's lying in second place, tied on points with Spirit of Malouen X.
Magic Carpet Cubed again!
The Wallycento Magic Carpet 3 is back in the race for a podium position after bagging a brilliant second place this afternoon, which translates as a podium spot in the provisional overall ranking, albeit in the wake of the untouchable Maxi 72 Cannonball, the stand-out winner of today's race.
Leading the way in this very spectacular Maxi 2 group vying for the Bartoux Trophy, the other Maxi 72 Northstar 2 is still in with a chance of glory after just snatching third place in corrected time from the other Wallycento Galateia.
Maxi 3 Group, Besserat de Bellefon Trophy; Lyra regains the edge
Though line honours once more went to Capricorno today, the Wally 77 Lyra scored a bullet in corrected time and with it a spot at the top of the provisional overall ranking ahead of the Italian Reichel/Pugh design. The Swiss Swan 601 Les Amis posted a fantastic 4th place today behind Ryokan 3 and tonight she's looking very comfortable on the 3rd step of the overall podium.
Three elegant Mylius are racing at Les Voiles within the Maxi 3 group this week (Besserat de Bellefon Trophy): Twin Soul B, a Mylius 80, Lady First 3 and Sud, Mylius 60s.
Mylius has been designing fast 55 to 80-foot cruiser-racers for the past 15 years. Specialising in highly customised full carbon yachts, these boats are both elegant and exclusive. They are built entirely from carbon sandwich with a PVC foam core and epoxy resin, and the company is renowned for treating its clients with the utmost care and attention.
Saïda, a ketch leading the fleet of Maxi 4s (Torpez Trophy)
The Swiss ketch-rigged Swan 65 Saïda stamped her authority over the group by securing another second place in today's race. Tonight, on the eve of the final round, the 12mR Kiwi Magic KZ7 is 3 points shy of the top spot, whilst the other 12mR French Kiss seems assured of third place.
Event website: www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr/en