What a showstopping spectacle! Revelling in the summery conditions, the 250 competitors racing at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez put on a thrilling display from the Portalet tower to the bay of Pampelonne and as far as the Fourmigue as they lit up the Gulf of Saint-Tropez late this afternoon. Teatime saw them all converging on the port on a delicious heel, with a wonderful assortment of craft ranging from a small sportsboat to a 40-metre gaff schooner, a set of 12mRs and the monumental Maxis. A fantastic day was had by all, resulting in some of the splendid images that make Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez such a unique event.
The full works
The Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez’s office and the Village des Voiles were positively buzzing this morning as the three Race Committees rallied together to concoct the best possible programme for the three classes, who were all gathered together for the first time this Tuesday.
The large Maxis, which make up classes A and B, were competing in two windward-leeward races as they did on Monday, whilst classes C et D sprinted along a 32-mile coastal course towards the Fourmigue mark, east of Cape Bénat. The programme will be reversed for the fleets for the end of the week so they can use their day-off to make the necessary sail changes.
In the Modern fleet, the four classes set sail on an 18-mile coastal course at 12:40 p.m. having patiently waited for an hour or so for the wind to establish itself in the bay. Meantime, the Classic yachts had to wait around for slightly longer. On the upside, the Race Committee, chaired by Philippe Enel, managed to launch no fewer than five very rhythmical starts at lunchtime.
In contrast to the Modern fleet, the largest of the Classic yachts, Grand Tradition and Big Racer classes were the last to get out on the racetrack and were seen mingling on the water over the course of the day in the hope of a bunched finish in the late afternoon in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. “It’s important to remember that these are complex boats to manoeuvre. Some of them measure in excess of 40 metres and it’s essential they have clear water at a race start. In fact, we give them a ten-minute warning signal before the start procedure to give them time to position themselves,” explains Georges Korhel, Principal Race Officer at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.
Two bays, two atmospheres
Though the sun really made its presence felt today, the disparities between the breeze on the different stretches of water was even more marked than yesterday. A good 15 knots of wind accompanied the Maxis in Pampelonne whilst a transition zone caused the top players to stumble a little on exiting the bay of Saint-Tropez. Suffering in a nasty chop level with Basse Rabiou, the IRC Bs were caught up by the smallest classes and there was more of the same on the return leg. So much so that the ballet of finishers in the Modern fleet included both small and big boats. The Classic yachts endured the same fate, powered up in the light airs and then suddenly left floundering without a sniff of breeze despite their graceful and abundant sail area.
These tricksy conditions naturally put paid to some of the aspirations of the Grand Tradition yachts, especially around Les Issambres.
A favourable thermal breeze to end on a high
Aside from Jolt and Lyra, who were simply untouchable again today in their respective classes (Maxi A and Bs), as well as the Swan 65 Six Jaguar in Maxi D, yesterday’s champions couldn’t always find the same form. In Maxi C, Wallyño, neck and neck with Lady First 3, allowed Yoru to take the crown today.
Among the Modern craft, the TP 52s had to succumb to the Swan 42 Lagherta in IRC B and for the Trophée BMW (IRC C), the A 40 Ad-hoc took the win. In IRC D (Trophée Suzuki Marine), the JPK 10.10 Expresso sailed a flawless race and finished in front in elapsed and corrected time like yesterday, whilst the Dufour 40 Lady took the win in IRC E. Completing the Modern ranking who could forget Pippa’s victory in the Tofinou fleet.
From 16:00 hours, the thermal breeze began to really pack a punch culminating in a whole string of finishers lamenting sail and rig damage, especially among some of the Classic fleet, but also some sublime images. The match race between Tuiga and Mariska was just one of the wonderful moments captured on camera today. The pair crossed the starting line in unison at 14:00 hours and then the two 15mR Fifes didn’t leave one another’s sides throughout the race. Indeed, it almost came down to a photo finish to separate them. Ultimately, it was Mariska who had the edge in elapsed time, but in corrected time the roles are likely to be reversed…
With action also kicking off today in the Rolex Trophy, Chips was the first to secure a bullet in the P Class, which is already embroiled in a fearsome competition within a competition.
Postscript: upon crossing the finish line this afternoon, the brand-new Daguet 5, a Carkeek design built in the UK at Carrington Boats, unfortunately collided with another vessel. The team has since hauled the boat out to assess the damage and see if she can continue her week of racing at Les Voiles…
PROGRAMME for LES VOILES DE SAINT-TROPEZ 2024 (details of the programme on shore can be viewed on the event’s website)
Wednesday 2 October: Regattas for Modern and Classic yachts
Day Off for the Maxis and Club 55 Paul Watson Maxi Yachts Cup
Thursday 3 October: Challenge Day and Club 55 Paul Watson Cup for Modern and Classic yachts, Centenarians’ Regatta YC Gstaad Trophy,
Regattas for Maxis
Friday 4 October: Regattas for all fleets
Saturday 5 October: Regattas for all fleets. Prize-giving ceremony for the Maxis
Sunday 6 October: Prize-giving ceremony for Modern and Classic yachts
Photos:
Gilles Martin-Raget
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