Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez - Day 3
by Maguelonne Turcat 1 Oct 2015 08:10 BST
26 September - 4 October 2015
Gales on day 3 of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez © Gilles Martin-Raget
Too much wind again, roll on Thursday!
The team responsible for the organisation of Les Voiles de Saint Tropez is encountering exceptional times for this autumnal showdown. The culprit is a vast zone of high pressure centred over northern Europe, compressed by a depression circling the Gulf of Genoa, generating easterly breezes that have been sweeping the Var region's coastline since Monday. With the Bay of Saint Tropez facing due east, there is simply no escape, with some impressive breakers out towards Cogolin. For the second day running, the yachts and their 4,000 sailors have been confined to shore, hoping for better on Thursday's much awaited Challenge Day.
The low-down from Race Director Georges Korhel
"It's the same scenario as Tuesday, a little stronger even, with 48 knots recorded in Pampelonne this morning. It's really too much. The seas are even heavier than yesterday, despite the wind shifting slightly from the east to the south-east, but the breakers are even impacting the launches so it's simply not reasonable to try to race. Among the 180 Modern craft, there are of course a good twenty or so of the big boats geared up for offshore sailing, which could handle such conditions admirably. The issue is manoeuvring in and out of port, with the gusts capable of making them trip their anchors with the ensuing mayhem, so it's certainly the most reasonable option to cancel for today."
Thursday, Challenge Day
Thursday is a very special day at Les Voiles de Saint Tropez, as it gives the competitors a choice of whom to race against, the only proviso being that they have to inform their opponent(s). Thursday also plays host to the Club 55 Cup.
Club 55 Cup: Halloween vs Moonbeam of Fife
Among the famous sporting trophies that colour Les Voiles, the Club 55 Cup has a rather special place in the event's history. Relaunched in 2003 it is the very essence of a commemorative race in that it echoes how things were done in the last century. Indeed, in this friendly competition, two captains set themselves challenges for the sheer love of the sport and the competition; taking the opportunity to compare the performances of both the yacht and her crew on the water.
Since its renaissance, the Club 55 Cup has featured but 6 winners, Ikra (12m JI) in 2003 and 2004, The Blue Peter (20m Bermudan cutter, Mylne 1930) in 2005 and 2006, Lucia (19m Bermudan yawl, Alden 1940) in 2007 and 2008, Cambria (40m 23mJI Bermudan rig, Fife 1928) in 2009, Mariquita (33m 19mJI gaff rig, Fife 1911) in 2010 and Altaïr (40m gaff schooner, Fife 1931) in 2012. The rules are simple: two boats challenge each other to a Thursday duel on a 15-mile course and the first to finish challenges a boat of its choice the following year. In true French style, the whole affair culminates with luncheon beneath the tamarisks of the Club 55 for both crews. This year, the Club 55 Cup will involve Halloween (Bermudan cutter, Fife 1926) and Moonbeam III (Gaff cutter Fife 1903).
Challenge Day, at the service of a cause, world hunger!
This Thursday 1 October 2015, under the banner of the struggle against world hunger, some of the most prominent boats in the bay will pick up and run with a fresh challenge. Indeed, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his Wally, HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies' Genie of the Lamp will compete against such boats as HRH Prince Albert of Monaco's 106 year-old 15 mJI Tuiga. In this vein, whilst Prince Charles de Bourbon-Two Sicilies is driving "your neighbour's hunger" project and Prince Albert of Monaco is involved in the "action against hunger" foundation, Patrice de Colmont is campaigning for Pierre Rabhi's endowment fund, the founder of agro-ecology, Paul Watson's Sea Shepherd association and the Ocean Nation project. Through their involvement, these men are keen to turn their notoriety to good account so as to raise awareness and, in their wake, have a fundraiser for emergency humanitarian causes. In the event that the weather isn't playing ball, all André Beaufils' teams will offer those crews involved in the project an array of festive fun and games...
Centenary Trophy
For the fifth year, the Centenary Trophy will gather together all the boats aged 100 years and over on Thursday 1 October. These fabulous craft will have a special rating system and a pursuit race format, meaning the boats cross the start line according to their rating, with the first to cross the finish line declared the winner. It is a simple format relished by both the sailors and the spectators!
A newcomer to the Centenary Trophy this year is the fabulous 35m gaff cutter, Moonbeam IV, which will be the largest yacht of this edition. Moonbeam IV is a William Fife III design built in 1914 in Fairlie, Scotland at the William Fife & Sons yard. Tradition has it that the event will accommodate ever more newcomers and so we have the gaff cutter Tern (William Fife III - 1897), which at just 12m in length, will be the smallest and also the oldest of the participants. The gaff cutter Eva (William Fife III – 1906) will also be on the start line, as will all the Centenary Trophy's past winners since its creation.
The challenges are on...
The unruly weather has not quelled the crews' passions to get out on the water, quite the contrary in fact. As we write, a dozen or so challenges involving a good thirty or so boats have been laid down. Of particular note among the Classic boats we have the challenge launched by the Stephens Marconi sloop Palynodye II, taken up by Espar II (Sangermani Marconi 1962), Ratafia (Mauric 1967), Helisara and Jericho (Carter Sloop 1967)... and among the Modern boats, Tokaoma II up against Camomille, Black Legend and Milou.
The start line will be open at Le Portalet from noon through until 15:00pm. The boats have to announce the race to Race Management via VHF and two minutes later a start procedure will be launched. Spectators should note that the course takes in Le Vergue mark and La Nioulargue mark.
Crews' procession
Another highlight of Les Voiles, for the sailors as much as the onlookers, is the very colourful procession, which sees the competing crews parade through the town's streets, with prizes awarded to the most original and most elaborate costumes. More than a dozen crews will be vying for glory according to themes as diverse as Hawaii, Turkey, fishing and the discovery of America. The spectacle will begin from 19:00pm, preceded by an orchestra...
Who are you? Sébastien Destremeau hits Les Voiles in the run-up to his Vendée Globe bid
Easily recognisable on the helm of the 12m JI Ikra, Sébastien Destremeau is keen to make up for lost time having missed the start of Les Voiles, albeit for good reason. Indeed, this Mediterranean sailor was at sea, aboard his 60-foot Imoca, accompanied by another of Ikra's crew, Bruno Durbiano. Previously owned by two British round the world sailors, Josh Hall and then Steve White, the recently purchased monohull was sailed from Cape Town, South Africa. The duo arrived in nearby Toulon yesterday after 15,000km and 42 days at sea. Tired but happy with this first major stage in his campaign to compete in next year's Vendée Globe, Seb is itching to compete in Saint Tropez aboard Ikra as soon as possible. Follow Sébastien at Faceocean.fr.
The day's weather
The easterly wind will continue to pack a punch through until the early hours of Thursday. At that point, it will gradually back round to the north-east and then north as it eases, reducing down to 25 knots in the middle of the night, then 18, then 9 knots of north-westerly at the end of the day. The seas will remain rough for the majority of Thursday, before smoothing out.
An extraordinary yacht: Spectre
The 60-foot monohull Spectre is racing in IRC A at Les Voiles. Aside from her stunning 'spectre' spinnaker, a nod to the continuing James Bond saga, it's primarily her highly original, inverted bow that draws the eye on this Frers design (Mani... son of). Built back in 2009 at the Multiplast yard in Brittany for Jack Setton, Spectre, originally named Gianni, in homage to Gianni Agnelli, combines power, efficiency and acceleration. Immediately wowing with her unique bow, the design makes her extremities more lightweight and reduces the drag and hence spray and provides an easier motion. Her hull has a lightweight displacement with a substantial waterline length and powerful lines that ooze high speed. All these parameters, together with a high aspect ratio rig and significant draught, translate as solid potential.
Wednesday's partner: BMW
Since 2013 the German car manufacturer BMW and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez have enjoyed a partnership focusing on Les Voiles de Saint Tropez. Thorsten Mattig, head of international sponsorship at BMW, is delighted with this collaboration: "Les Voiles de Saint Tropez is the meeting par excellence for Modern and Classic yachts to come together, where timeless aesthetic meets high-tech design. The desire to win and team spirit also play a fundamental role alongside a passion for yachting and friendly camaraderie. It is these values which BMW is happy to support, because they are of key importance to our brand." In addition to the presentation of its latest models and, as was the case in 2013 and 2014, BMW has chosen to celebrate a class of yachts, which are very involved in high technology, the Wallys. The BMW Trophy will reward the best Wally when racing concludes. Several models are on display at the site, in front of the Village des Voiles: i.8, i.3, M5, 435 i cabrio and X5 m. Naturally, the brand's ambassador, French yachting legend Loïck Peyron will be present, happy to act as a 'modest' gangway between the naval and automobile technologies.
Programme:
Modern Yachts
Saturday 26 September – Sunday 27: Reception and scrutineering
Monday 28, Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 September, Thursday 1 October (J. Laurain Day, Challenge Day), Friday 2 and Saturday 3 October: Coastal course, 1st start 11:00am
Traditional Yachts
Sunday 27 and Monday 28 September: Reception and scrutineering
Sunday 27 September: finish of the Yacht Club de France's Coupe d'automne from Cannes
Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 September, Thursday 1 October (J. Laurain Day, Challenge Day, Club 55 Cup, GYC Centenary Trophy), Friday 2 and Saturday 3 October: Coastal course, 1st start 12:00 noon
Prize-giving for everyone
Sunday 4 October, from 11:00am