Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Day 5: Challenge Day
by Maguelonne Turcat 3 Oct 16:00 PDT
28 September – 6 October 2024
Traditionally, Thursday at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is set aside for Challenges, playfully acknowledging the origins of the Nioulargue and serving as an excellent way to reflect on how far we’ve progressed since then. The passage of time was hotly discussed today with the Centenarian Trophy, which showcased 19 spirited classic yachts racing against each other in a staggered start format based on their speed. Meanwhile, the Maxis, racing in the bay of Pampelonne after a break yesterday, added an energetic spirit to the eclectic, friendly atmosphere of the sunny regatta.
Significant Challenges
After yesterday’s Club 55 Paul Watson Maxi Yachts Cup duel between My Song and Balthasar, today saw Belle Aventure and Il Moro di Venezia I face off in a friendly contest for the Club 55 Paul Watson Cup. “These Challenges named after Paul Watson aren’t merely a tribute; they actively support the president of Sea Shepherd,” explains Patrice de Colmont, the founder of Nioulargue and Club 55’s director. “Paul Watson sparks discussions about broader societal issues. When defenders of nature are imprisoned, it’s a sign things are dire…” Additionally, a marine auction will take place at the CNB Villanova yard on Friday at 19:00, with proceeds going to Watson’s cause.
At 12:15, the match commenced between the two notable classic yachts: the pristine Il Moro di Venezia I, measuring 20 meters and designed by Frers, and Belle Aventure, a 25-meter creation by Fife, kicked off the excitement in front of the Portalet tower. This splendid generational clash showcased Raul Gardini’s first Maxi (1976) going against the nearly century-old Marconi ketch (1929)! Regardless of their speed differences, today celebrated the joy of being together in Saint Tropez!
About twenty other teams shared this celebration. In total, alongside the Club 55 Paul Watson Cup, eleven Challenges were set up by participants—a tradition encouraged at Les Voiles. Some pairings mixed Modern and Classic yachts, like Jean-Pierre Dick’s JP 54 Notre Méditerrannée racing against the 1968 Bermudan cutter Eugenia V, while others reignited historic rivalries, exemplified by Serenade and Oiseau de feu, both crafted just before the war and first across the finish line at noon.
Centenarians Defying Time
The thirteenth edition of the Gstaad Centenary Trophy brought together 19 classic yachts built before 1925 for an exhilarating race, where each vessel started at staggered times based on their ratings established by the Comité International de Méditerranée.
At just 8 meters, the special guest Dainty led the charge shortly before 13:00 local time. Her rivals had to promptly start their stopwatches to catch the Race Committee’s VHF call. While some were less attentive to timings, others like Oriole were serious, having fitted a new, stiffer mainsail this morning for expected light winds; however, conditions ultimately improved to about twelve knots in the afternoon. The four P Classes resumed from Tuesday, with Olympian currently holding an edge, being the only triple Centenary Trophy winner (2014, 2019, and 2021). Reputation notwithstanding, tactician Cécile Poujol was “keeping an eye out for Joyant, the largest and most powerful P Class, likely to enhance her performance throughout the contest.” Newly restored and relaunched this year, the last of the P Classes just turned a century old, paralleling her British counterpart Arrow.
In this race format, is it advantageous to have a high or low rating? “It depends on wind stability. If it picks up, we can perform better!” replied the crew of New York 40 Rowdy, which has one of the higher ratings requiring her to launch over 30 minutes after Dainty on the 9-mile course.
Luckily, no calculations are necessary at the finish line. The first to cross is declared the winner! Ultimately, it was Oriole who claimed victory, with the 10mR Marga and P 14 Olympian closely behind Rowdy.
Role Reversal Among Maxis
As the Maxis raced off Pampelonne this morning, a shift occurred between classes A and B on one side and classes C and D on the other. The former sailed coastal courses while the latter engaged in windward-leeward races. The 25-mile Course 3 featured multiple returns, which the large Maxis relished after two days of windward-leeward formats…
In Maxi C, Lady First 3 finished the initial windward-leeward three seconds ahead of Wallyño, which ultimately won on corrected time, while in Maxi D, Swan 65 Six Jaguar maintained her perfect streak, conceding only a win to Blue Oyster during the second windward-leeward.
Certain days witness even top-performing monohulls struggling against the weather. Stuck in a windless zone for nearly an hour at Cavalaire for their coastal course, the large Classe A and B Maxis had difficulties finishing by 18:00 this Thursday evening.
The Grand Parade: Tonight at 18:30, the crews returning to port will parade around the old harbor in their finest attire, honoring the spirit of the inaugural Nioulargue competitions. Crews will wear costumes before a jury stationed at the giant screen podium, which includes members from the town hall, harbor office, Société Nautique de Saint Tropez and local shopkeepers. Always popular, it’s a must-see, and the winner receives a delightful prize from Domaine Bertaud Belieu!
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2024 Schedule: (Visit the event’s website for shore program details)
Friday, 4 October: Races for all fleets
Saturday, 5 October: Races for all fleets. Prize-giving ceremony for Maxis
Sunday, 6 October: Prize-giving ceremony for Modern and Classic yachts
www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr
