Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2025 - An exceptional fleet of grand classics are preparing

by Maguelonne Turcat 10 Jul 05:44 PDT 27 September - 5 October 2025

Deep Blue - Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez © Gilles Martin-Raget

An exceptional fleet of grand classics led by the legendary three-masted schooner Atlantic, a strong showing from the Wally yachts among the numerous Maxis, and the arrival of the new Magic Carpet e are all signs pointing to an extraordinary edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, set to take place from September 27 to October 5, 2025. At the helm, the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez is bringing an extra dose of creativity to host the world's most beautiful boats at the premier sailing event on the Mediterranean coast, which is by invitation only.

Who will succeed last year's champions - Jolt in the Maxis, the unbeatable Expresso in IRC or Tuiga and Marga in the Classics - who made their mark on the 2024 edition? Will the TP52s remain unchallenged in the top IRC fleet? Which centenarian yacht will add its name to the roll of honour this year? And who will challenge whom during the middle of this truly unique week of racing, where fierce competition is always paired with a spirit of camaraderie? There is no shortage of questions surrounding the 27th edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez - especially since every class is seeing new developments.

Some familiar faces are returning - like Daguet, Frédéric Puzin's Carkeek design, which debuted at last year's Voiles but couldn't compete after a collision. Others are arriving, sharper than ever. Notably the Wally Rocket 51s, which "if enough show up, could have their own start and scoring," says Georges Korhel. "The IRC rating rule helps group the fleet so crews compete against familiar rivals from the year-round circuit. But since Les Voiles is not part of the official IRC championship, we're not ruling out small adjustments to rating bands to make each class as even as possible," adds the Principal Race Officer of the event.

In the Maxis category, all eyes will be on Magic Carpet e, the new 100-foot Verdier designed yacht owned by Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones. Exceptionally innovative in its class, with lifting rudders, an aft-positioned mast, and fully electric hydraulic systems, it's a true marvel of technology, down to its 7-meter canting keel, which is also retractable to reduce its draft to 4.60 meters to allow access to the port of Saint-Tropez.

And watch out - there's movement in the Mini-Maxis too, where class heavyweights will need to keep an eye on the new Wallyrocket. This 71-footer, claimed to be 15% lighter than its competitors, has just been launched under the name Django.

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2024 - day 2 - photo © Gilles Martin-Raget

The silhouette of the schooner Atlantic has often been seen watching over Les Voiles, a prestigious onlooker anchored in the gulf during regatta week. But Atlantic has never officially participated in the event - until now. That anomaly has been corrected by her new owner! It's official: Atlantic, with her three masts and 64.5-meter hull (69 meters overall), is entered and will be racing. This will be a first for this faithful replica of the 1905 Atlantic record-setter, whose transatlantic speed record stood until Eric Tabarly broke it in 1980. There's no doubt Atlantic will be one of the star attractions of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2025.

In the Tradition classes, there's a surge in requests to participate, with the return of past entrants like Sumurun, Mariella, and Cambria, along with exciting new additions such as Croce del Sud, Invader, and Cariad - the largest and oldest gaff-rigged ketch in the world (built in 1896).

Suffice it to say, the Big Boat fleet is nearly full, with 14 yachts already confirmed, plus the five Big Racers that were present in 2024. It's a real logistical challenge for organisers. "We'll need to make decisions based on port capacity and the yacht drafts to accommodate as many as possible while maintaining the diversity that is the DNA of Les Voiles," explained Pierre Roinson, president of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, when reviewing the guest list.

Event website: www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr/en

2025 Voiles de Saint-Tropez programme:

Saturday, September 27: Registration for Maxis (over 18.28m) and Classic & Modern yachts up to 18.28m
Sunday, September 28: Registration continues. Race finish for the YCF Autumn Cup (Cannes to Saint-Tropez)
Monday, September 29: Racing for Maxis and Modern yachts
Tuesday, September 30: Racing for all fleets, including the Rolex Trophy
Wednesday, October 1: Racing for Modern and Classic yachts (Rolex Trophy). Day off for Maxis.
Thursday, October 2: Challenge Day and Club 55 Cup for Moderna and Classic yachts. Maxis race
Friday, October 3: Racing for all fleets (Rolex Trophy)
Saturday, October 4: Racing for all fleets (Rolex Trophy), Prize giving for Maxis
Sunday, October 5: Prize giving for Modern and Classic yachts

Principle partners of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez: