Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Day 4: Thrills and Joys in Downwind Sailing
by Maguelonne Turcat 2 Oct 14:11 PDT
28 September – 6 October 2024
The Maxis took a break today, with only My Song and Balthasar competing in the Club 55 Paul Watson Maxi Yachts Cup. This allowed the Modern and Classic yachts to provide the spectacle in front of the Village des Voiles in Saint-Tropez, featuring thrilling downwind starts, with the Modern yachts racing toward Les Salins and the Classics toward Les Issambres.
It was an impressive visual treat with a W’ly wind gusting to about 20 knots at noon…
Breezy conditions and downwind starts
The early morning’s gentle breezes were quickly replaced by a robust W’ly wind of 20 knots due to low-pressure systems over the Gulf of Genoa, leading to dramatic downwind starts.
Crews experienced a taste of brisk winds yesterday during the rush back to Saint Tropez, where winds surged from 10 to 25 knots in mere minutes, causing chaos for several Classic yachts. Competitors like the yawl Hermitage found themselves overpowered with light sails on difficult-to-replace furlers, and rigs challenged, resulting in a broken top mast on Sky and a damaged spreader on Elena of London, fortunately without any injuries to the crews.
Today, maintaining caution was a priority, prompting the Race Committee to restrict the Classic yachts to a 15-mile track near Les Issambres and Saint Raphaël, where waters were more sheltered from the W’ly winds. The seas there were less turbulent than at Les Salins and Pampelonne, where the Modern yachts began their 11:00 a.m. race, covering 18 miles for classes B and C and 14 miles for the smaller ratings.
Meanwhile, it was a relaxed atmosphere for the Maxi fleet, barring My Song, which was initially scheduled to race against the new Capricorno. Unfortunately, Capricorno withdrew after sustaining damage yesterday, leaving Balthasar to take on the challenge on the iconic course leading boats to the renowned Club 55, navigating around the shallow waters of Nioulargue.
A notable achievement for the Modern yachts
There was no wasting time today! At precisely 11:05 a.m., the large IRCs took off from Portalet with downwind starts, quickly launching their spinnakers. “Given the line’s location in front of the port, downwind starts are frequent and normal,” explains Georges Korhel, Principal Race Officer. “However, you must fully cross the line before raising the spinnaker; the starting gun’s sound alone won’t suffice!” This advice was well heeded by all crews.
Once classes B and C started, it was the smaller IRC boats’ turn to embark on a 5-mile shorter single-loop course. Classes D and E were the first to make their presence felt in the gulf after about two hours on the course during the early afternoon. Competing for the Trophée Suzuki Marine, the JPK 1010 Expresso (IRC D) continued its undefeated streak since Monday. Pride, the Swan 44 and a seasoned participant in both Nioulargue and Les Voiles, progressively improved her performance this week, achieving her first race win.
Each day’s competition has seen a different victor in IRC B and C, with fleets frequently changing positions, keeping the competition open for the remaining days. This Wednesday, the honors went to TP52 Blue Carbon and Grand Soleil 50 Mad IV. Daguet 5, which suffered rudder damage after colliding with a spectator vessel yesterday, regrettably withdrew from this year’s Les Voiles. Currently out of the water for inspection at Grimaud, the latest Carkeek design managed to return to her dock at Bassin Jean Lescudier, where she had her naming ceremony at 4:30 p.m.
Classic yachts performing acrobatics
To the tune of Verdi’s ‘Va, pensiero’ played on a trumpet by a crew member on the large Marconi-rigged Eileen 1938, the Classic fleet made their way to the waiting area late this morning. Was this a hint at what awaited the crews in the spirited W’ly winds? Some vessels, like Ninn, took to the sea with two reefed mainsails, while others set sail fully canvassed, showcasing their personalities!
As the Race Committee released them in five separate starts, competitors eagerly responded, gearing up for some thrilling line battles. Some boats faced misfortunes, including little Lulu with a broken bowsprit fitting after a collision with another participant.
Among the 14 boats vying for the Rolex Trophy, the New York 40 Rowdy held the lead for an extended period. However, the Herreshoff design, which has switched to her original gaff rig from her Bermudan rig this season, allowed two P Classes to surpass her at the finish, with her smaller sibling, the New York 30 Oriole, taking the victory in corrected time, just like yesterday.
As lunchtime approached for the final starts, the wind intensified, leading to exciting acrobatics from the 12mRs as they raised their spinnakers. The highlight featured the large vessels Tuiga and Mariska surging toward the line with full sails, with the three-masted schooner Atlantic providing a stunning backdrop as a spectator. Pure bliss!
For these seasoned yachts, maintaining a steady hand under spinnaker was crucial while exhibiting remarkable foresight on a reach. Starting with caution, the Frank Paigne design Viveka found success.
Exceptional competition unfolded among the 12mRs, with the top three boats finishing within three minutes of one another after over two hours of racing. Crusader clinched victory again today, exhibiting impressive performance and proving to be a tough competitor to catch. In other categories, Belle Aventure triumphed in Grands Tradition, while Blitzen and Stormy Weather followed suit in Epoque Marconi, and Eugenia V shone in Classique Marconi.
Club 55 Paul Watson Maxi Yachts Cup: What about the results?
The face-off between My Song and Balthasar promised to be a riveting showdown, with both vessels neck and neck in the provisional Maxi A standings, and My Song having a slight edge. However, the Club Swan 80 didn’t start well, suffering a torn spinnaker at the line! By the time another was raised, the Kouyoumdjian design helmed by owner Pier Luigi Loro Piana had caught back up with Balthasar, rounding Nioulargue in first place and maintaining the lead to the finish.
The energetic downwind run with gusts over 20 knots thrilled Pierre Roinson, President of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, aboard My Song: “These Maxis are extraordinary boats, and Pier Luigi is an exceptional helmsman! My Song was optimized for racing, but he enjoys cruising on this vessel with his family in summer. He undoubtedly knows her inside and out!”
On the dock of the Club 55, host Patrice de Colmont awaited crews for a festive meal, in line with a tradition reaching back to the first Nioulargue. But who would receive the cup? Traditionally, the Challenges are based on elapsed time. “The boat that crosses the finish line first typically wins,” notes Pierre Roinson.
However, due to significant differences in ratings today, everyone was concerned. Therefore, Patrice decided to announce two winners this year, which aligns perfectly with the Nioulargue tradition! Furthermore, next year the rules will change: we’ll implement staggered starts based on ratings, allowing the winner in elapsed time to be the true victor as they arrive at the club!”
Elementary, my dear Watson!
Event website: www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr
