Voiles de Saint-Tropez: Les Voiles unveils!

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

With two and a half months to go before the opening of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, which runs from September 28 to October 6, we know a little more about what's new for this anniversary edition.

With 25 years of experience under its belt, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is always on the lookout for improvements, adapting to changes in the fleet to optimize enjoyment both on the water and ashore. The organisers of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez explain.

Full house

An invitation-only regatta, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez will close its registration deadline after August 25, whilst the list of 250 to 270 competitors will not be revealed until September. Over 400 applications have already been received.

Maxi: A fleet split in two

Over 40 Maxi yachts will be racing in Saint-Tropez at the end of September. These boats over 18.28m (60 ft) in length require space to manoeuvre "and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez is not extensible!" points out Georges Korhel. "While one part of the fleet will be sailing windward-leeward courses on Monday and Tuesday, the other will be racing coastal courses, and vice versa on Friday and Saturday," adds the Principal Race Officer. This schedule, with the lay-day falling on the Wednesday, facilitates any necessary sail changes. The wardrobe of these sailing giants differs according to race course type.

Rather than a breakdown by size, the IRC rating will be used to sort the boats, a more effective way of accounting for the speed and evolutionary capacities of each boat on the starting line.

New weight to the Classics!

Divided according to their rig - marconi or aurique -, the classic fleet will experience the emergence of a new category this year. At the request of the Comité International de Méditerranée which distributes measurement certificates for France, Spain, Italy and Monaco, the One-Tonners, the class that dominated the '70s and '80s racing circuit under the IOR rule, will, subject to being more than ten entrants, have their own dedicated classification. "It's a trend we've been observing, particularly among our Italian neighbours, but more generally in the Mediterranean over the last few years," remarks Georges Korhel. "It's important for crews to identify their rivals and shape their strategy accordingly, this contributes greatly to the pleasure of racing."

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

The 12m JI calls at Saint-Tropez

After hosting the 12 m JI Pre-Worlds from May 28 to 30, Saint-Tropez will welcome back this exceptional fleet during Les Voiles at the end of September, the final leg of the 55th Coupe de France du Yacht Club de France, France's oldest sailing trophy.

At the heart of Les Voiles on the Jean Réveille seawall

A 2023 innovation by the organisers of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez saw the entire race village and hospitality moved across to the Jean Réveille sea wall. A free water-shuttle, open to the public, allows for ease of access to the village from the port carpark and back. (access from the harbour master's office reception dock and return from the seawall).

This same arrangement, which met the satisfaction of both participants and the public, is coming again this year. The event opens on Saturday, September 28 with the registration, race committee, press and VIP areas all under one roof.

With the Maxi yacht arrivals starting on Saturday and the Classics competing on Sunday in the Yacht Club de France Autumn Cup from Cannes to Saint-Tropez, the event is shaping up to be a great spectacle. Viewing is possible from the Tour du Portalet, at the foot of which stands the Bar des Voiles, a legendary venue for the week's regattas, open to the public!

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2024 Programme

• Saturday 28 September: Registration for Maxis (over 18.28m) Classic and Modern yachts up to 18.28 metres.
• Sunday 29 September: Registration for Maxis (over 18.28m) Classic and Modern yachts up to 18.28 metres. Arrival of the YCF Autumn Cup (Cannes Saint-Tropez)
• Monday 30 September: regattas for Maxis and Modern yachts
• Tuesday 1 October: regattas for all fleets
• Wednesday 2 October: regattas for Modern and Classic yachts
• Day Off for the Maxis and Club 55 Maxi Cup
• Thursday 3 October: Challenge Day and Club 55 Cup for Modern and Classic yachts, 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