Les Voiles de Saint Tropez - Day 6
by Denis van den Brink 5 Oct 2014 11:38 BST
27 September - 5 October 2014
Party time in the bay for a sumptuous lap of honour
Last glances, last sights, last emotions too on this the final day of Les Voiles de Saint Tropez 2014. The last chance to admire the most beautiful yachts in the world with the unique backdrop of the bay of Saint Tropez. The last sessions slipping along on the blue wave for the elegant gaffers and the speedy Marconis. The last magical crossing of tacks between Marigold and Partridge, Elena and Moonbeam IV, Rowdy and Dorade. The play of light and shade between jibs and the almost outrageous solents and spinnakers. The gentle hiss of water on the slender hulls of the centenarians... And now, over 130 years of passion head for their winter quarters this evening after stopping off to delight in Les Voiles. A whole year of waiting before we see these stars; stars which throughout this timeless week far beyond the realms of normality, have brought life, breath and heart to the dazzling splendour of yachting, coloured by the spirit of friendship and conviviality that Patrice de Colmont was so keen to have back in 1981 and continues to resonate amidst André Beaufils' teams.
The wind gods at the Committees' orders
Another summery day certainly didn't discourage the various Race Committees at Les Voiles. Indeed with the Classic fleet in the bay, the Modern craft offshore and the Wallys and J Class boats off Pampelonne, conditions were ripe for them to launch a sumptuous race on this final day of racing. And so it was that the Traditional boats set sail at exactly the same moment as the wind gods decided to beef things up a bit, giving the 120 Classic yachts something to really sink their teeth into during the large triangular course towards the entrance of the bay and the Sèche à l'Huile mark. The Modern yachts waited slightly longer before they too took flight on a 14-mile close-contact race with a finish below Portalet. Meantime the Wallys and J Class boats validated another very technical windward-leeward race off Pampelonne. Save for a rather windy day on Monday, the bulk of this year's racing has been run in a medium breeze. One point of surprise was finding in the overall rankings for each group, the same protagonists... the same causes provoking the same effects.
Mariska takes the Annual Trophy for the 15 MJIs
This award is contested over three races, in Monaco, Porto Sherry and Saint Tropez, within the context of Les Voiles and with the support of Rolex. Known as the Annual Trophy, it gathers together the four fabulous Fife-design gaff cutters belonging to the 15 m JI class and this evening it goes to Mariska helmed during Les Voiles by Pierre Antoine Morvan, despite the supremacy of the British on The Lady Anne. The Trophy 2014 ranking is as follows then: 1-Mariska (1908) 4 points - 2- Tuiga (1909) 10 points - 3- The Lady Anne (1912) 14 points - 4- Hispania (1909) 16 points.
The "centenary rookie" Olympian wins the 4th edition of the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy
For the fourth year, the Centenary Trophy grouped together yachts of one hundred years old and over and Thursday's programme saw them sail a 7-mile coastal course in 8-10 knots of breeze. The first boat to cross the line, off crowded Saint Tropez' breakwater, was Philippe Oddo's Olympian, skippered by Bruno Troublé. For her first participation in the Centenary Trophy, the P Class was then declared winner of the Trophy to the great delight of her crew."The Centenary Trophy is a really special race and the 'pursuit-race' format is exceptional. We set out late due to our rating and it has to be said that sailing with the fleet of centenarians was quite simply marvellous. One by one we managed to pick off all our rivals and be first across the finish line," explains Bruno Troublé as he moors in the port of Saint Tropez.Olympian wasn't the only newcomer to boast excellent speed. In second place, Silhouette was also participating in the racing for the first time, and her owner Daniel Heine said he was sure to be back next year: "Second place just doesn't count so we're forced to return in 2015. A big thank you to all those who made this such a fantastic race. We are so looking forward to coming back for more in the 2015 edition".
During the prize-giving ceremony, Peter Erzberger, Commodore of the Gstaad Yacht Club, announced an important initiative. Indeed the club has decided to create the Centenary Trophy Register©, a register of boats of 100 years old and over with the aim of collecting information and news of the fleet.
A word from Georges Korhel, Race Director
Georges Korhel is responsible for the three Race Committees for the fleets of Wally/J Class, Modern and Tradition. He coordinates all these technical teams, as well as the on-the-water safety. He gives us a most positive review of this 2014 edition. "We've had a superb week. Conditions were ideal for validating our races. All the Race Committees have done exactly what was asked of them. The surveillance and safety boats have been impeccable, and we had no incidents out on the water. It seemed to me that the competitors were here to have fun and enjoy themselves."
,b>Olympic spirit
Briton Sarah Kathleen Webb Gosling has been sailing at Les Voiles aboard the pretty gaff cutter Tigris (1899) designed by Alfred Mylne. Enlightened spectators will have recognised the double Olympic Yngling champion from Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr/en