Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy returns for its 14th edition
by Gstaad Yacht Club 18 Sep 2025 15:06 BST
2 October 2025
Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy © Juerg Kaufmann for GYC
The Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy returns on Thursday, October 2 for its 14th edition, as part of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Nearly twenty centenarian yachts are expected to take part in this one-of-a-kind regatta, exclusively open to yachts that are over 100 years old - a true tribute to elegance.
On the eve of the race, Wednesday, October 1, the Gstaad Yacht Club will also kick off the festivities on land with "Swiss Night", held for the third consecutive year at the Place des Lices, bringing the spirit and colours of Switzerland to the heart of Saint-Tropez.
Since 2011, the Gstaad Yacht Club, in collaboration with the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, has organized the Centenary Trophy, which takes place every Thursday during the traditional challenge day at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. In just a few years, the event has become the must-attend regatta for centenarian yachts.
The Centenary Trophy follows the "pursuit race" format: yachts start at staggered times based on their rating, and the first to cross the finish line, off the Tour du Portalet, is declared the winner. This format allows all competitors to race on an equal footing and guarantees suspense right up to the finish line.
"The Centenary Trophy is the flagship event of our club, and we are very grateful to have the opportunity, in collaboration with the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, to organize this unique race each year within the Voiles de Saint-Tropez. The Centenary Trophy has become one of the most prestigious regattas for classic yachts, and we are fortunate that the number of eligible yachts continues to grow naturally each year. In 2025, we'll reach the centenary of yachts built in 1925 and the following years, a period when yacht building experienced a spectacular boom after World War I. We expect the number of participants to continue rising in the coming years, and we're already looking forward to the 15th anniversary of the Centenary Trophy next year," confides Daniel Heine, Gstaad Yacht Club sailing officer.
First-Time Participants
Three yachts will take part for the first time in 2025:
- Leonore, celebrating her 100th birthday this year, will be racing in her first Centenary Trophy! Built in 1925 by Norwegian naval architect Johan Anker, this 49-foot Q-Class Bermudian sloop gained recognition for her racing performance, winning many prestigious competitions. Known previously as Cotton Blossom II, Leonore was fully restored by Dennis Conner, former America's Cup winner.
- Black Swan, a 40.2-meter yacht from 1899, was designed by Charles E. Nicholson and built by the British shipyard Camper & Nicholsons in Gosport. She is equipped with a two-masted gaff rig.
- Cariad, built in 1896 by Summers & Payne in Southampton and designed by Arthur Payne, is a gaff-rigged ketch that epitomizes the elegance and craftsmanship of the late 19th century.
Previous Winners
- Oriole (1905), winner in 2015 and 2024, will line up for the eighth time at the Centenary Trophy. Designed by Herreshoff, the yacht and her crew are once again aiming for victory!
- The triple winner Olympian (1913), a P-Class yacht and champion in 2014, 2019, and 2021, will compete for the tenth time, hoping to claim a fourth title.
- The NY50 Spartan (1913), double winner in 2016 and 2023, is returning to Saint-Tropez this year, aiming for a third win.
Other participants include:
Chips (1913), Corinthian (1911), Dione (1912), Joyant (1911), Kismet (1908), Mariska (1908), Nin (1913), Sky (1890), Sumurun (1914), Thea (1918), The Lady Anne (1912), Veronique (1907), and Viola (1908) - all confirmed for the Centenary Trophy.
Before the Race: "Swiss Night" Returns!
For the third year, the Gstaad Yacht Club will celebrate Switzerland at Place des Lices in Saint-Tropez, on Wednesday, October 2. Expect tastings of Alpine specialties, cow milking demonstrations, and a roller ski race - competitors are invited to enjoy a fun-filled, 100% Swiss evening!
Visit the official website for more information and a gallery of stunning images from previous editions: gyccentenarytrophy.com