Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez approaches!

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez © Gilles Martin-Raget / www.martin-raget.com

Only a few days to go before kick-off for the 18th edition of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez. From Saturday, 24th September, the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez puts into action a working team of close to 100 volunteers ashore and afloat to support more than 300 boats – the Wallys, the modern yachts and the classics. The return of past participants and the welcome to newcomers - inspired by the excitement of the racing and the wonderful social evenings which characterize this famous Tropeziene port, all contribute to create the unique atmosphere of this annual get-together. The goal: the share with competitors and the public alike, a passion for the most beautiful boats in the world.

The moderns: where size matters

The largest carbon sloop ever built, Wally Yacht Better Place, will be present at the Voiles. Labelled RINA Green Star thanks to its innovative and environmentally friendly concept, this 50-meter mega-yacht weighing just 250 tones, gives an impressive light-air performance. Sixteen Wally Yachts registered for the Voiles – only one will take home the coveted BMW trophy, currently held by Magic Blue.

The battle will also rage in the IRC A class, with the arrival of the all new Baltic 130, My Song, up against Solleone (Swan 115), Sojana (Farr 115), back from a refit, and the formidable Farr 100 Leopard.

In the IRC C class, for the Edmond de Rothschild Trophy, no less than four TP52s will be on the start line: Alizee, Conviction, Team Vision and Freccia Rossa, led by Russian ORC world champion crew, the title won in Copenhagen, Denmark this summer.

Watch out for IRC E all-female crew led by Caroline Petit aboard the First 36.7 Alibi 2.

The classics: a living passion

A spotlight will be on the Grands Tradition class, this year fighting it out for the 10th edition of the Rolex Trophy. Ten exceptional yachts, some exceeding 40 meters will cross swords, the oldest among them launched in 1903 is Moonbeam III, recently under new ownership.

There is great excitement in the return of the famous 12m JI France to the Mediterranean. Built by Baron Bich in 1969 she challenged for the America's Cup no less than three times in Newport Rhode Island. Refitted in 2013, by Bruno Bich, she sails today under the Yacht Club de France burgee and is dedicated to the training of youth sailors. This elegant blue monohull will compete in new class - Classic Marconi Racers.

Competing in the category Epoque Marconi A, former owner of Manitou, (notably belonging to John F. Kennedy during his time in the White House) comes this year with another Bermudan yawl, an Olin Stephens 18,20m, making its first appearance in the gulf of Saint-Tropez.

The Epoque Marconi C category this year has a nice twist with German Frers 15m design Fjord lll built in 1947 and skippered by... German Frers junior!

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