Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2026 - Celebration Time
by Maguelonne Turcat 4 Oct 19:31 BST
30 September - 4 October 2026
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez © SNST / Gilles Martin-Raget
Blessed by weather conditions that showcased the beautiful fleet of 253 boats gathered by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez for this wonderful festival of racing, the Maxi, Tradition and Modern yachts enjoyed an exceptional week.
After the prize-giving for the Maxis last night, today saw the Modern and Tradition yachts being honoured, with everyone coming together to accept the numerous trophies awarded by Les Voiles' loyal partners. A golden opportunity then to get the initial low-down on what has been a particularly memorable 28th edition.
Pierre Roinson, president of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez:
Magical moments
"Every year we question how we can do even better! We have been really spoilt by the extraordinary line-up comprising some 51 Maxis, including 3 J Classes, which were a big hit with the public and produced some incredible performances. Just seeing one J Class or Elena of London docking out was a magical moment in itself. We were very lucky to have these fantastic boats here. It's been a remarkable year for us in several ways as we also celebrated 150 years of the Gitana saga and 20 years of the Rolex Trophy. On top of that, the weather also played ball again and all the races were contested in near perfect conditions, with breeze and sunshine. There was also a wonderful atmosphere among the sailors. The crew parade was extraordinary, with an increasing number of boats participating in it and their crews really making an effort with their fancy dress. It's reminiscent of the Nioulargue spirit. We also rediscovered this spirit during the Club 55 Cup where Camille, Patrice de Colmont's daughter, who now runs the restaurant, came to welcome the crews onto the pontoon, just as her father used to do. It was a wonderful day.
Throughout the week, the atmosphere on shore was fantastic. Yesterday evening, an orchestra on the balcony of Le Sube responded to another group down below and people were dancing along the quay. It was excellent. Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez managed to bring in over 75,000 people a day, and what's fabulous is that the spirit and the atmosphere are great, despite nearly 4,000 sailors in port, who always have strong personalities!
At the same time, in terms of the organisation, we've made considerable improvements to the clarity of the village's layout, the flow and the quality of the hospitality. The lounge area - rechristened the Club des Voiles - really appealed to our partners. That won't stop us mulling over a few new ideas for next year to see if we can do even better of course!
In fact, there may well be even more J Classes in 2027. I also aim to organise a duel between Shamrock and Endeavour, which are the only two surviving J Classes from the 1930s. It would be fantastic to have a piece of this history at Les Voiles and I believe that it would appeal to the whole community which supports the event. We also have another iron in the fire as the new owner of Ikra, Marcos Vivian de la Pedrosa, is currently carrying out a top-class refit of his 12mR in England. As such, we could have a rematch in 2027 of the first ever Challenge, which kickstarted the Nioulargue in 1981 against Pride, the most loyal of our loyal participants, which is in competition mode. What a fabulous homage that would be!"
Georges Korhel, Principal Race Officer:
Excellent feedback from the crews
"It's been an awesome edition! The feedback from the crews has been excellent. We successfully modified the courses to ensure things remained competitive throughout and despite an E'ly breeze the whole week, it was a great success. The committee managed to launch the maximum number of races, which is easy at Pampelonne with the robotic marks. The J Classes set sail after the Maxi 1s and had the entire stretch of water to themselves, which they relished. They are extraordinary machines and they were already talking about coming back last year.
One image that particularly stays with me is the schooner Atlantic on Wednesday, which took the start outside the line and completed her penalty turn by rotating through 360° between the mark and the dock! She didn't spin on a sixpence like a Laser but it wasn't far off. It was magnificent!
For next year, we are considering two options: We need to come up with a way to create longer courses for the IRC 0s because they're really very quick.
And in terms of the Maxis, we're wondering about the possibility of moving the finishes of their coastal courses to the Gulf of St Tropez rather than at Pampelonne. It would be an even greater spectacle and some owners have expressed a wish for this option, but for now they're not necessarily in the majority when you survey the fleet in its entirety as it does raise some concerns regarding safety. The idea will take hold!
This year, Corinne Aubert joined me for three days as part of our handover scheme, which will be implemented over a couple of seasons. Next year, she will be here alongside me for the whole week. She'll be the Principal Race Officer at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles, she's a real authority on the circuit and on a sporting level she is highly competent. All she needs now is to familiarise herself with Les Voiles, which is a very unique competition, where the role of Principal Race Officer is very political and the relationship with the owners is super important. They are the ones who put on a show, they have their needs and it's vital to listen to them. I'll remain as back-up and I'll be here to enjoy the event of course. This was my 28th edition, which means I feel a certain attachment to the event!"
They graced Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
Guillermo Altadill, Christophe Babule, Ed Baird, Sébastien Bazin, Emma Bazin, Annemieke Bes, Francesco Bruni, Brad Butterworth, Dee Caffari, Pierre Casiraghi, Charles Caudrelier, Paul Cayard, Aymeric Chappellier, Tommaso Chieffi, Gilles Chiorri, William Collier, Sir Andrew Cook, HM King Frederik X of Denmark, Géraldine Danon, Tom Dawson, Francesco de Angelis, Bertrand de Broc, Ariane de Rothschild, Louise Debeaumont, Pascale Decaux, Fabien Delahaye, Peter Dubens, Dominique Dubois, Eric Dumont, Thierry Fouchier, Charlotte Franquet, Tara Getty, Torben Grael, Peter Harrison, Boris Herrmann, Damien Iehl, Bill Jayson, Arnaud Jerald, Bruno Jourdren, Stephan Kandler, Georges Korhel, Kyle Langford, Devan Le Bihan, Pierre Le Roy, Arthur Le Vaillant, Pier Luigi Loro Piana, Mikael Mergui, Elodie-Jeanne Mettraux, Corinne Migraine, Philippe Monnet, Patrick Monterio de Barros, Joe Newton, Sir Peter Ogden, Sir Lindsay Owen Jones, Marc Pajot, Lionel Péan, Mauro Pelaschier, Laurent Petit, Loïck Peyron, Laura Poupon, Frédéric Puzin, Ken Read, Geiger Reinold, Wendy Schmidt, Jochen Schuemann, Jimmy Spithill, Marie Tabarly, Bruno Troublé, Maurits Van Oranje, Marcel Van Triest, Tom Whidden.
The Trophies at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2026 in full
Maxi Yachts
Coupe de la ville de Saint-Tropez for the outright Maxi champion all categories combined
Winner: Blue Oyster (Andrew Fitzamurice/Luca Scoppa)
Trophée du Yacht Club de France,
Gun tampion awarded to Ariane de Rothschild
Trophée Edmond de Rothschild for best Maxi 1
Winner: Jethou (Sir Peter Ogden) 6 points
2nd: V(Karel Komarek) 9 points
3rd: Balthasar (Filip Balcaen) 12 points
Trophée Voiles de Saint-Tropez for best Maxi 2
Winner: Lyra (Terry Hui) 5 points
2nd: Twin Soul B (Luciano Guandini) 7 points
3rd: Astra 1 (Marcos Vivian) 12 points
Trophée Voiles de Saint-Tropez for best Maxi 3
Winner: Yoru (Luigi Sala) 6 points
2nd: Why Not (Lasse Petterson) 6 points
3rd: Wallyno (Benoit de Froidmont) 9 points
Trophée Voiles de Saint-Tropez for best Maxi 4
Winner: Blue Oyster (Andrew Fitzamurice/Luca Scoppa) 4 points
2nd: Crazy Diamond (Enzo Pellizzaro) 10 points
3rd: Atalante (Ulrich Volz) 13 points
Trophée Voiles de Saint-Tropez for best J Class
Winner: Svea (Niklas Zennström) 9 points, also receives the Corinthian King's Cup for the best owner helmsman awarded by the J Class.
2nd: Rainbow (Peter Harrison) 9 points
3rd: Hanuman (Giovanni Lombardi Stronati) 10 points
Trophée IMA Maxi Mediterranean Inshore Challenge Cup
Winner: V (Karel Komarek), Maxi 1
Wally Trophy
Winner: Kilara II (Jérémy Weir)
Trophy for the best crew parade:
Winner: Beautiful day (USA)
Joint favourites: Easy Blue (Les Moustachus)
Also rewarded: Coco des Mers (Coco Chanel parade) and Saida (Fantomas)
Tradition Yachts
ROLEX Trophy for the best P Class
Winner: Olympian (Philippe Oddo) 3 points
2nd: Chips (Bernard Liautaud) 5 points
3rd: Joyant (Stephan Lobmeyr) 7 points
Trophée Voiles de Saint-Tropez for best Big Boat
Winner: Elena of London (Stephen Benfield) 4 points
2nd: Sumurun (Hugues Boullenger) 5 points
3rd: Lelantina (Patrick Gibert) 7 points
Trophée Marines de Cogolin for best Grand Tradition yacht
Winner: Tuiga (Jimmy Spithill) 4 points
2nd: Viveka (Gery Atkins) 4 points
3rd: Mariella (Carlo Falcone) 8 points
Trophée Voiles de Saint-Tropez for best Epoque Gaffer yacht
Winner: Kizmet(Sir Richard Matthews) 3 points
2nd: Oriole (Juan Carlos Eguiagaray) 5 points
3rd: Marilee (Mateo Tacconi) 9 points
Trophée Voiles de Saint-Tropez for best Epoque Marconi A yacht
Winner: Leonore (Mauro Piani) 4 points
2nd: Falcon (Patricio Monteiro de Barros) 10 points
3rd: Carron II(Angelo Mazzarella) 10 points
Trophée Voiles de Saint-Tropez for best Epoque Marconi B yacht
Winner: Lak II (Cian O'Carroll) 3 points
2nd: Harlekin (Jean-Yves Redor) 7 points
3rd: One Wave (William Borel) 9 points
Trophée Voiles de Saint-Tropez for best Classic Marconi A yacht
Winner: Maria Giovanina II (Jean Pierre Sauvan) 3 points
2nd: Palynodie II (Henri Ferbus) 6 points
3rd: Dambuster (Nicholas Hill) 10 points
Trophée Voiles de Saint-Tropez for best Classic Marconi B yacht
Winner: Eugenia V (Baptiste Garnier) 3 points
2nd: Star Sapphire (Jacob Glaz) 6 points
3rd: Albacore (Luis Figueiredo) 7 points
Trophée Voiles de Saint-Tropez for best 12mR
Winner: Kiwi Magic (Marianne Petersen) 4 points
2nd: French Kiss (Marc Pajot) 4 points
3rd: France (Christophe Bereloot) 8 points
Trophée Voiles de Saint-Tropez for best IOR yacht
Winner: Resolute Salmon (Alberto Franchella) 3 points
2nd: Encounter (Bart Weduwer) 6 points
3rd: Ornella (Hugues Destremau) 7 points
Centenary Trophy, awarded by the Gstaad Yacht Club
Winner: Kismet (Sir Richard Matthews)
Trophy for best crew parade:
Winner: Belle Aventure et son cirque
Favourite: Star Sapphire (Les Mignons)
Modern Yachts
BMW Trophy for best IRC 0
Winner: Spirit Of Lorina (Marcello Pica - Jean Pierre Barjon) 7 points
2nd: Interlodge IV (Gwen Fragomen) 14 points
3rd: Nanoq (H.M King Frederik of Denmark) 15 points
BRIG Trophy for best IRC 1
Winner: Lisa R (Giovanni de Vincenzo) 6 points
2nd: Prétexte 2 (Jérémy Lagarrigue) 9 points
3rd: Searcher 2 (Pete Smith) 18 points
Suzuki Marine Trophy for best IRC 2
Winner: J Wow(Andrej Tschirikow) 7 points
2nd: Fremito d'Arja (Dario Levi) 8 points
3rd: Flight of Durgan (David Grylis) 12 points
Trophée Voiles de Saint-Trophée for best IRC 3
Winner: Topas (Dr Harald Bruning) 7 points
2nd: Pride (William Grave) 9 points
3rd: Letto di Pletto (Rainer Badent) 9 points
Trophée Voiles de Saint-Trophée for best IRC 4
Winner: Overdose Neo (Lilyan Bretagne) 9 points
2nd: Iskareen (Arnt Bruhns) 11 points
3rd: Corto Maltese (Michele Colosante) 13 points
Club 55 Maxi Yacht Cup
Winner: Tilakkhana II (Pascale Decaux)
Club 55 yacht Cup
Winner: Hallowe'en (Inigo Strez)
Pétanque (bowls) competition:
Winner: Mad IV (Christophe Lenoir, Serge Bazzano and Nicolas Bardes)
Finalist: Black Legend 4 (Julien, Valentine and Anne-Sophie)
Trophy for best crew parade:
Winner: Dialix (La Boule Tropézienne)
Favourites: Raving Swan (Mini mousse) and Capitainerie Astérix et Obélix et Cie/ Les bagnards de la nautique
www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr/en