Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Day 2: The Stage is Set for the Modern and Maxi Yachts
by Maguelonne Turcat 30 Sep 12:35 PDT
28 September – 6 October 2024
The Stage is Set for the Modern and Maxi Yachts
Wind finally arrived! After very light conditions for the Modern yachts and a stronger breeze at Pampelonne for the Maxis, the competitors navigated through a mix of highs and lows throughout the afternoon… patience and focus were essential on this first day of competition at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, with tightly matched races allowing everyone to perform within their categories.
Patience
On paper, the gentle zephyr that met competitors leaving the port this morning was to be augmented by a thermal breeze coming off the land, ensuring a pleasant medium breeze and a refreshing start to the event. However, thermal winds are typically linked with sunshine, and with the cloud cover this morning, the Modern yachts had to wait patiently before hitting the racecourse!
Ultimately, at 12:40 p.m., the starting signal sent the IRC Bs into action. With less than 5 knots of challenging breeze, being powered up from the beginning was crucial, a skill that Blue Carbon executed flawlessly. The Spanish TP52 sailed past the rest of the fleet on port tack, only to be overtaken near the La Moutte mark by Nanoq, the TP52 captained by King Frederik of Denmark.
In these conditions, it was difficult to distinguish between competing yachts and those awaiting the start in the smaller classes! Generally, each class headed for the line parallel to the Portalet tower, and at 1:10 p.m., the four groups embarked on coastal courses. The larger boats faced a 19-mile race, while IRC C, D, and E tackled 15 miles, so speed records were unlikely to be broken today…
Impatience
Meanwhile, at noon in the bay of Pampelonne, the breeze was significantly stronger than in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, which led to the first thrilling windward-leeward race for the Maxi As. In a rush, Black Jack 100 made a hasty decision at the windward mark. Energized on port tack, this top-rated Maxi had to execute a significant bearaway to let the fleet of boats on starboard tack pass in what turned out to be a highly competitive race at the front.
As Classes A and B showcased their skills on these compact courses, the smaller Maxis (Classes C and D) embarked on a coastal route to Cavalaire. Among these classes were several previous winners of Les Voiles. There was also a notable size disparity, as the 25-ton Stella Maris, reigning champion in Maxi D, competed against the 16-ton Bambo, both on the same start line due to IRC measurements. This measurement permits contemporary models to race alongside vintage Maxis like the Swan 65, which can still be quite competitive. Notably, one such Swan 65, named Six Jaguar, won today’s Trophée BRIG race. To note, this Swan 65 is one of four sloop rigs participating in this historic series, which once peaked as a ketch rig in the Whitbread (Sayula II won in 1973) and recently in the Ocean Globe Race.
Restart at La Moutte, Conclusion at Portalet
Shortly after 3 p.m., the first TP52s glided across the bay and crossed the line near the Portalet tower. The first Modern yacht in elapsed time was the reigning champion Nanoq, but in corrected time, the Club Swan 42 Dralion surged ahead. The newly launched Daguet 5 also got off to a strong start. This Carkeek design, owned by Frédéric Puzin and constructed in England at Carrington Boats, is making its debut performance at Les Voiles. Impressively, it finished third in elapsed time within the TP52 fleet, benefiting from its connection to that group…
With the breeze still struggling to establish itself today, lighter boats gained the upper hand. Positioning at the front was important, but it was equally vital to monitor the competition behind as the wind faded just as the fleet approached the La Moutte mark in unison, delighting photographers. Competing for the Trophée BMW in IRC C, one of the four Cape 31s, Meerblick, was the first to break free from the sluggish conditions and claimed victory at Portalet. In IRC D (Trophée Suzuki Marine), first prize went to Expresso, while the legendary Pride also delivered a stellar performance, clinching victory in IRC E.
Among the Maxis, reigning champion Jolt (formerly Cannonball) shone in category A during the first windward-leeward race, followed by Sir Peter Ogden’s Jethou. The titleholder Lyra in Maxi B excelled, though Kallima, owned by Belgian Paul Berger and helmed by Vincent Fertin, closely pursued her. Of particular note, the Swan 82 FD, sailed by a crew that constitutes less than 70% of the maximum size allowed by her IRC certificate, is benefiting from an 18-second advantage per hour of racing. This IRC measurement relaxation, permitted by the IMA (International Maxi Association), was highly beneficial given today’s light winds.
Finally, a brief mention of the Maxi C class: Wallyño, under the helm of Benoit de Froidmont, won this Monday, marking the reigning champion’s fourth victory!
The Tofinous will have their own ranking
Twelve Tofinous (including nine 950s) are participating in the Modern category at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Starting alongside the IRC E fleet, these modern yachts with a classic aura will soon have their own dedicated standings.
Coming up…
Tomorrow, conditions and sailing schedules will remain similar: 11 a.m. for Modern yachts at Portalet and 12 noon for Maxis at Pampelonne. Additionally, Classic yachts will join the fray tomorrow at noon at Portalet.
In the meantime, starting at 6:30 p.m. this evening, the Pashgang band will set the mood for musical entertainment in the village, while the Phacochères will perform in the port…
Program for Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2024: (details for the schedule on shore are available on the event’s website)
Tuesday 1 October: Regattas for all fleets
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
www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr
