Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez - Day 5
by Maguelonne Turcat 3 Oct 2015 10:57 BST
26 September - 4 October 2015
Racing and nothing else
The blustery episode from the past two days has been erased today by the sailors' irrepressible desire to get out sailing at all costs, supported in their mission by the determination of the Race Committees to trust in their instinct and their skills and launch races perfectly suited to the conditions, at the right time and in the right place. Turning resolutely towards the north-west and losing its vigour in the process, the wind soothed the race zone throughout the night, and though the rain meant it was more reminiscent of the English Channel throughout this Friday's racing, it did nothing to dent the passion of the 4,000 racers. Modern, Classic, Wally or Tofinou... all the competing classes got one fine race under their belts, pushed along by a fair breeze and just the right amount of speed.
Schooner days
Carrying her jib up forward, full mainsails and gaff-topsails, the large schooner Elena (Herreshoff 2009) made short work of the 17-mile triangular course setting out from and finishing at Le Portalet, via Les Issambres, that was proposed to the large classic yachts. Meantime, the smaller boats adopted the same course, albeit without the return sprints beam onto the wind imposed on the large gaff rigs. With the seas much flatter than of late, pace and small gaff rigs were favoured. Oriole, Nan of Fife and Chinook certainly indulged their greed for speed, powering along virtually neck and neck.
Tuiga and Mariska tomorrow for the final
Over a century old, the four fabulous gaff cutters, Mariska, The Lady Anne, Tuiga and Hispania benefited from the start procedure for the large gaff riggers to compete in a crucial race with a view to racking up points for their specific championship. However, the 15m JIs, which have already validated three races since Monday, will have to wait for the end of the last race tomorrow, Saturday, as Tuiga (Fife 1909) pulled out all the stops to win today's race. As a result Mariska (Fife 1908) is now tied on points with Tuiga, and will have to take the win tomorrow to be assured of the title.
Rambler 88 marks her return
The American Maxi, Rambler 88, which suffered shroud damage on Monday and was forced to sit it out for two days whilst repairs were completed, today made her comeback in the spectacular IRC A group. Seemingly it is a point of honour among George David's men to show the competition that they're definitely the quickest boat in the fleet, ahead of the pack throughout the 27-mile coastal course today. Indeed, they racked up a sterling lead of over 5 minutes ahead of the other 'ogre' of the line-up, Mike Slade's Farr 100, Leopard. Set outside the bay, the course included a passage around Cape Camarat, in a WNW'ly wind, freshening slightly to 19 knots, and on very flat seas, and the entire circuit was completed off Le Portalet in under 2 hours. Clearly the crews were keen to escape the driving rain. Completing the podium was another 'stalwart' of the line-up, Lionel Péan's VOR 70 SFS II.
Still among the Modern boats, the IRC B, C and D groups were offered a slightly shorter course of 21 miles, whilst the 'tinies' completed a 14-mile course skirting the bay.
Y3K drives the point home
At the end of what was the third race contested since the start of the week, it's the large Wally Y3K (Frers 2009), which is hanging on firmly to the lead of the provisional overall ranking. Third in today's coastal course, it relegated to 4th and 5th place the current movers and shakers, the Wally 107 Open Season and the Wallycento Magic Carpet Cubed, which dominated proceedings from beginning to end of the coastal course. Tango G, the Wally 80, has moved up to second overall, tied on points with another Wally 80, J One.
Of note, is that this Friday was dedicated to the Wally Genie of the Lamp in celebration of her twentieth birthday, an occasion fittingly marked by the flying of the class' large flag and the klaxons sounded all around the port on her return.
Saint Tropez and Tahiti, a fine long history
Some 8 years ago, a history of friendship translated as the twinning of Tahiti Pearl Regatta and Les Voiles de Saint Tropez. Since that time, the bonds have strengthened and new stories are added each year. Out on the water, the Polynesian racing is progressing with the invaluable support of Georges Korhel, a member of the Race Committee since 2011. On shore, the South Pacific Tahitian touch is bringing an exotic flavour to the Village des Voiles, making the atmosphere even more festive. Paul Sloan, General Manager of Tahiti Tourism was at the Village des Voiles this week: "This partnership is very important for us. The bonds that link Papeete and Saint Tropez are strong. Tahiti is high-quality niche destination and the sailing world is really booming in this sector. As such, we boast over 900 yachts berthed in Papeete. Saint Tropez is a fabulous showcase for us. We're here presenting some beautiful treasures from our islands, from Monoï oil to pearls to our Tahitian women."
Who are you? Serge Malapelle
A restaurant owner by profession, Serge Malapelle has had his heart in Saint Tropez for the past 35 years. "I came here for the sea, the sun and the good life," he explains. As we've said repeated times, Les Voiles de Saint Tropez combines excellent races on the water and a legendary conviviality on shore. It's Serge who takes on the impressive task of structuring and organising the festive entertainment each race night. "I'm a member of Saint Tropez' trader's association, "esprit village". I represent it at Les Voiles in the operating of the bar (the main hub of the village) and the organisation of the entertainment on shore and that's been my mission since 1999 at the request of André Beaufils. We manage the soirées, the festivities and the bar with its staff. The tabs at the bar are used to finance the events and not to make a profit. In this way, we organised the local Tartiflette dish at the start of the week that went on to be replaced by a Jumbalaya dish. It was hugely successful. The crew night at La Ponche has been cancelled due to the weather, but we'll host a special soiree at the village this evening. The crew procession was very popular, as was the boules competition in the Place des Lices. This edition of Les Voiles is rather unique given the weather, but the racers are still very keen to have fun. The Verdolini Jazz band brightens up the streets and the port and it boasts different themes too. The nightly entertainment is part and parcel of Les Voiles and enables the racers to round of each day in style..."
An extraordinary yacht: Zinita
Zinita was devised and designed by William Fife III in 1927, according to the international 12m Rule. She was the second boat to be called Zinita by the Connel family and they commissioned her from William Fife. Two years later, Mr Connel commissioned a third Fife, Zoraida. Meantime Zinita went to Norway and then to Germany, then in 1991, she was taken to Holland where she was refurbished. However, it wasn't until 5 years later that the restoration process initiated by her current owners was complete. The 12m JI was entirely stripped out, all the fittings and rig removed and the interior gutted. The bare hull was sanded and dried out and only then was it possible to see the true extent of the damage from the past 70 years using software. Back then, the America's Cup was being raced on much larger boats. Zinita is one of the oldest 12m JIs still in existence and during her restoration in 1991 she was transformed into a comfortable cruising yacht. She has since switched sail number but has retained her name. She's the only Dutch 12m JI and one of the only such craft to be painted black.
The Metre rule, what is it?
The International Metre Rule is an international race measurement rule drawn up in 1906, enabling the performances of racing yachts to be properly assessed. It is based on a formula that has undergone two modifications, in 1919 and in 1935, giving the yachts a theoretical length which reflects their potential speed, expressed in metres, calculated from a particular set of the boat's characteristics. At the start of the 20th century, it enabled classes of racing keelboats to be created, which could race in elapsed time provided certain restrictions were adhered to. These yachts can be identified despite their varying names, by the name given to their class. In this way the 6 Metre JI is also known as the 6 Metre, 6m JI, 6 Meter and 6 mR, though it is not in fact six metres long, but has an LOA of around eleven metres, with a seven-metre waterline.
The International Rule was adopted for the Olympic Games in London in 1908, and for the America's Cup between 1958 and 1987, with the 12 Metre replacing the J-Class, the latter instead adopting the Universal Rule. The 15m, 12m, 10m, 8m, 7m, 6m and 5.5m classes have all been Olympic series.
The day's weather
The Var region in southern France is still under the influence of the depression tracking around the Gulf of Genoa, whose progress northwards is blocked by a zone of high pressure, which is treating the rest of the country to glorious sunshine. The rains are set to diminish and the stormy activity will develop. The moderate north-westerly wind will be disrupted by the storm phenomena.
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
www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr