Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy returns for its 14th edition

Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy © Juerg Kaufmann for GYC

The Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy returns for its 14th edition on Thursday, October 2nd, as part of the prestigious Voiles de Saint-Tropez.

Nearly twenty centenarian yachts, true floating gems, will set off in a one-of-a-kind regatta, exclusively reserved for these legends of the seas.

Out on the water, the spectacle promises to be breathtaking. With their majestic lines, these century-old sailboats will deliver stunning downwind runs under spinnaker and bold comebacks, where every maneuver will showcase skill and elegance.

The day before, on Wednesday, October 1st, the Gstaad Yacht Club will kick off the festivities on land with the "Swiss Night," organized for the third consecutive year at Place des Lices.

Centenarian yachts of rare elegance are preparing to compete in a unique race.

As every year since its creation in 2011, the Centenary Trophy will follow the "pursuit race" format: each yacht starts at a specific time determined by its rating. The first to cross the finish line in front of the Tour du Portalet is declared the winner. This format puts all competitors on an equal footing and guarantees suspense right up to the finish line.

"This isn't our first time participating in the Centenary Trophy. We've taken part for several years, but last year we had to withdraw at the last minute—our mast broke the day before the race. Today, we're thrilled to be back in top form. The race format is truly fantastic. We were just talking about it again this morning with the whole crew during the briefing: it's a completely different kind of event. Of course, the age of the boats gives it a unique character, but the staggered start system also sets it apart—it's a format I much prefer over the usual ones. With so many yachts gathered here, a traditional race format just wouldn't work. That's why we look forward to every edition of the Centenary Trophy," says Torsten Oemus, owner of Sky.

The race will begin on Thursday, October 2nd at 12:30 PM with the first yacht setting off.
Sky (built in 1890) will be the oldest centenarian yacht in the fleet, while the just-turned-100 Q-Class Leonore (built in 1925) will be the youngest, boasting a legendary crew onboard.

"This year, Leonore turns 100. It's incredible to sail on such a centenarian yacht, a true witness to a century of history. The crew is made up of long-time friends—some of us have known each other for over forty years, since the 1983 America's Cup in Newport. We have such chemistry that sometimes there's no need to speak to understand each other. Alongside us are young sailors who've quickly embraced the spirit of the boat and integrated seamlessly. Among the crew are former members of the legendary Azzurra team: Daniele Gabrielli, Rico Passoni, Luca Chiarello, and Mauro Piani. As for me, I'll be at the helm.

Sailing a centenarian yacht is an immense privilege, and the race format is something the whole crew loves. Seeing the finish line in real-time adds an exciting, dynamic edge to the regatta," shares Mauro Pelaschier, Italian sailing legend and former helmsman of Azzurra, the first Italian yacht to compete in the America's Cup in 1983.

"Swiss Night" at Place des Lices - A Taste of the Alps in the Heart of Saint-Tropez

On Wednesday, October 1st, Place des Lices will take on a distinctly Swiss atmosphere for the now-iconic "Swiss Night", a festive highlight of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. For the third consecutive year, the Gstaad Yacht Club will celebrate Swiss heritage with a warm and spirited evening blending tradition and camaraderie.

Crews and guests will enjoy Alpine culinary specialties brought directly from Switzerland, setting the stage for an evening filled with unexpected and entertaining activities. Highlights include a whimsical "cow milking" contest and a light-hearted ski race—held right in the heart of the Saint-Tropez village—bringing a playful mountain spirit to the Riviera.

A trophy with a story

The Centenary Trophy, awarded each year during the Owners' Dinner, carries historical significance of its own. Originally crafted in 1911 by renowned London silversmiths Wakely and Wheeler, the trophy is itself a centenarian—created exactly 100 years before the first edition of the regatta was launched in 2011. A fitting emblem for a race celebrating the enduring elegance of yachts over a century old.