40 years of the Nioulargue sees in the 25th edition of Les Voiles

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez © Gilles Martin-Raget

The 25th edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez proudly carries on the prestigious heritage of the Nioulargue, the original regatta so named one day in September 1983, 40 years ago now.

This year's event offers an intense spectacle over 10 days, featuring three distinct fleets: the Maxis, the Moderns and the Classics. The activities on the water and ashore offered by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez are continually being reinvented, but the very essence of the event remains unchanged, preserving the authentic spirit for which it is renowned.

On the water: three "Club 55 Cup" challenges to celebrate 40 years of the Nioulargue

Alongside the illustrious sporting trophies contested during Les Voiles, such as the Rolex Trophy, the BMW Trophy and the North Sails Trophy, the Club 55 Cup has a place of its own. Relaunched in 2003, this unique gentlemen's duel at the heart of the week is a real hommage to the original Nioulargue* regatta, as conceived by Patrice de Colmont. Its very precise rules - which require local chilled rosé as a guarantee in the event of a protest - are perfectly simple: two boats compete on a course from the Tour du Portalet, around the Nioulargue buoy, to Club 55. Whoever finishes ahead of the other wins, and then challenges the boat of their choice the following year, ending with an unforgettable lunch under the tamarisk trees at Club 55. The only requirement is that the owner of the boat must be on board in person on the day of the formidable event. The Club 55 Cup - the regular version - will see the 12mJI France, last year's winner with the support of Pierre Roinson, president of the Société Nautique, choose her opponent, while a second Club 55 Cup - described as the historic - will replay the original battle between the 12mJI Ikra and the Swan 44 Pride on Thursday 5th, on the occasion of the latter's return to the Tropezian waters. In 2022, the Club 55 Maxi Cup was created, and Magic Carpet 3, first ever winner, is responsible for choosing her rival this year, to race on Wednesday, October 4.

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez - photo © Gilles Martin-Raget

Ashore: sharing and encouraging sustainability

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez presents an exceptional opportunity to engage youth in the protection of the marine environment. "Our wish is to support the Société Nautique and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez in their steps towards environmental and sustainable development, by taking advantage of the event to raise awareness among primary school children in the Gulf," explains Bruno Quivy, general manager of the Communauté des Communes du Golfe de Saint-Tropez, "and to focus on marine protection." Although the initiative was launched around ten years ago, it has been stepped up in recent years. During the event, groups of children are invited to Les Voiles race village, as well as to visit boats alongside the dock and meet sailors to learn about the imperatives of an environment whose constraints and fragility they are not necessarily aware of. They will also have the opportunity to be informed by the Service des Espaces Maritimes, in charge of managing the marine protected area, with the protection of posidonia and the installation of geo-tubes to break the swell and limit sand erosion. To date, there are 5 underwater "marine trails", accessible to all to explore and understand the local seabed. New this year, schools from Saint-Tropez are invited to take part in a parade on Thursday morning.

The Nioulargue, what is it?

The Nioulargue is a shoal located around 5.5 nautical miles (approximately 10 kilometres) in front of Pampelonne beach, at a depth of 52 metres in the middle of a seabed ranging from 300 to 400 metres. Its name comes from the Provençal "Nioulargo", meaning "Nid du Large/Nest of the Deep", as the shoal is particularly popular with fish for breeding.

The Champagne Barons de Rothschild celebrates the 25th edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez

"Sailing is very close to our hearts because it is a vehicle that perfectly captures our values," says Frédéric Mairesse, Managing Director of Champagne Barons de Rothschild, which has just joined the club of partners of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez for its 25th edition. Uniting the three branches of the family, Champagne Barons de Rothschild perfectly reflects the spirit of excellence and the blend of tradition and modernity of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Today represented by Baron Philippe Sereys de Rothschild (Château Mouton Rothschild), Ariane de Rothschild, wife of the late Baron Benjamin (Château Clarke - Groupe Edmond de Rothschild), as well as Baron Eric and his daughter Saskia (Château Lafitte Rothschild), the House of Barons de Rothschild, founded in 2005, is involved in a wide range of sports including showjumping, golf and polo. But sailing has a very special place, and more specifically within the Edmond de Rothschild branch: with 150 years of family passion including the 1984 Baron Edmond de Rothschild's victory at the Nioulargue on Gitana VI, nobody can forget the champagne dedicated to celebrating the magnificent victory of the Ultim Maxi Edmond de Rothschild in the last edition of the Route du Rhum.

2023 Programme

• Friday 29 September: (beginning of the afternoon) Maxi registration (over 18.28m)
• Saturday 30 September: Maxi registration (over 18.28m) and registration for Classic and Modern yachts up to 18.28 meters
• Sunday 1st October: regattas for the Maxis, registration for Classic and Modern yachts up to 18.28 meters
• Monday 2 October: regattas for Maxi and Modern yachts
• Tuesday 3 October: regattas for all fleets
• Wednesday 4 October: regattas for Modern and Classic yachts,
  Lay Day for the Maxis, Maxi Club 55 Cup
• Thursday 5 October: Challenge Day and Club 55 Cup for Modern and Classic yachts,
  regattas for the Maxis
• Friday 6 October: regattas for the whole fleet
  Prize giving for the Maxis
• Saturday 7 October: regattas for Modern and Classic yachts,
• Sunday October 8: Prize-giving ceremony for Modern and Classic yachts