Less than a month to go until Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez

Magic Blue at Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2015 © Gilles Martin-Raget

Summer is in full swing on the beaches and the water, the season has taken off with a great sporting calendar not forgetting the Rio Games and its own sailing events, and the time is fast approaching to take up the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez's invitation to check-out the who's who of the sailing world.

We all know that this is a meeting not to be missed – the place to be, the place to sail – where 300 of the world's most beautiful yachts, both modern and classic, meet to the delight participants and spectators alike.

On the modern side: not to be missed

The arrival of a new Wally is always an event. There are high expectations for Galateia, this brand new immaculate 100 footer, from the drawing board of Reichel Pugh and with an interior and exterior design by Wally Yachts under the direction of Luca Bassani. Galateia incorporates the latest in high-tech development in terms of race performance, coupled with high-end interior finishings. The implementation of new generation lightweight carbon composites in the manufacture of the hull gives this boat a downwind planing advantage with a capability to reach 25 knots. Advanced features developed by Wally allow for ease in manageability and sail handling both for solo sailing or cruising. Built within the Wally Cento "box rule", Galateia may prove a formidable opponent to Magic Carpet 3, and will without doubt try her luck for the coveted BMW Trophy.

Other closely watched newcomers in the modern class, are the tryptic, the all new Swan 50's vying for the Edmond de Rothschild trophy:- Cuordileone, Genapi and Ladykiller who make their debut appearance at the Voiles. These pure racing machines were designed by Argentine naval architect, Juan Kouyoumdjian, the class chaired by German Olympic champion, Jochen Schumann, no stranger himself to the Voiles.

Classics: a love of schooners

Always among the most awaited stars of the Voiles, there should be no less than four of these grand dames making an appearance this year. Alongside the spectacular gaff rigged schooner Elena – 41m60 by design wizard Nathanael Herreshoff – competing in the category Grands Tradition for the Rolex Trophy – sistership Eleonora (replica of the Westward) of the same length over the deck and by the same architect; as well as much awaited newcomer Naema. Smaller in size, the fourth schooner, Kelpie of Falmouth, 20 meters over the deck, is the eldest, built in 1928.

As for the gaff rigged cutters, Herreshoff is honoured by the elegant fleet of New York 30's – Linnet owned by Patrizion Bertelli, Oriole and Rowdy, to be joined this year by NY40 Chinook, and class new comer, NY50 Spartan, 22 meters over the deck.

For the third consecutive year the prestigious 15m J1 class will playout the last leg in their annual championship. Two races are on the programme for Hispania, Mariska, The Lady Anne and Tuiga on Monday and Thursday, in addition to those races from Tuesday to Saturday, open to all the classics.

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