Thursday at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is no ordinary race day. It’s Challenge Day — a celebration that fuses youth and experience, sport and style, competition and carnival. From school parades in the morning to the crew costume march in the evening, it’s the day that reminds everyone why this event holds such mythic status on the sailing calendar.
The Maxis take on the swell
The Maxis faced a very different stage today. After two days of windward-leeward racing, they stretched their legs offshore — the Maxi 1s chasing the Edmond de Rothschild Trophy and the Maxi Grands Prix heading on a 19-mile coastal course to Cavalaire. Classes 3, 4 and 5 followed a 12-mile route to the Escalet mark.
A leftover swell from last night’s weather system made conditions tricky, especially for the owner-helms. Yet Django in the Maxi GP class once again proved unstoppable, claiming her third straight bullet with impressive upwind pace and superior speed off the breeze. In Maxi 1, Capricorno edged out Galateia by less than a minute after nearly three hours of racing.
In the smaller divisions, Yoru (Vismara 62) and Crazy Diamond (Solaris 60) extended their flawless records in Maxi 4 and 5. Maxi 3 remained wide open — Twin Soul B (Mylius 80 FD) took today’s win to tie overall with Lyra, the Wally 77.
Fife and drum tradition
From 9 a.m., the sound of fifes and drums filled the port as more than 250 local children paraded through the village, led by the Association Fifres et Tambours. The procession ended at the Village des Voiles, where the young sailors-to-be enjoyed treats from the local crêperie while watching the first yachts slip out into the morning light.
At 6:30 p.m., the adults took their turn in the spotlight. Twelve elaborately costumed crews marched the quayside, cheered by spectators and a 30-piece band, before facing the jury that awards one of Les Voiles’ most cherished prizes — a salute to fun, creativity, and Corinthian spirit.
A day for challenges
Thursday also brings an old-school tradition: friendly duels between yachts, outside the official racing. Some were planned, others purely spontaneous. Highlights included Atlantic challenging the three-masted Adix for a show match, while across the fleet, pairings such as Ulika vs Volpe (Swan 50s) and Nagaïna vs Briseis (Bermudan cutters) kept the bay alive with unofficial rivalry and laughter.
Where it all began — Club 55 and the Nioulargue
At the heart of Les Voiles lies the legend of Club 55 on Pampelonne Beach. It was here, in 1981, that the Swan 44 Pride challenged the 12-Metre Ikra, giving birth to the Nioulargue — the race that became Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.
This year, as Club 55 celebrates its 70th anniversary, a single “55 Cup” match revisited those roots. Il Moro di Venezia (Maxi IOR) defended the title against the 1934 yawl Mariella, with camaraderie and Corinthian grace taking precedence over results.
Centenarians take centre stage
The 14th Gstaad Yacht Club Centenarian Trophy brought 18 yachts of more than a century in age to the start line. The pursuit-style race saw Viola (1908 Fife) lead off at 12:30 p.m., with the 34-metre Sumurun last to start, needing to claw back 31 minutes to win.
After an hour and forty minutes, Leonore — a 1925 Johan Anker Q-Class — crossed the line first, marking her 100th birthday in style. Tied up at port5, Cariad’s horn salute echoed across the port as the crowd applauded this most graceful of victories.
One day, one boat — Sumurun
Few yachts capture the romance of classic yachting like Sumurun. Built in 1914 by William Fife for Victoria Sackville-West’s husband, her 34-metre hull exudes history and craftsmanship. Sailor Jean-Paul Mouren, aboard this week, describes her as “a boat where everyone’s eyes are smiling.”
Her story is as rich as her oak panelling. After decades of mixed fortunes, Swiss collector Alain Moatti commissioned a complete restoration in 2016 under designer Juan Kouyoumdjian and the Guip yard in Brest. The result — a near-perfect resurrection captured in Michel Le Coz’s photo archive (sumurun-1914.com). Now owned by Jean-Pierre Dréau, Sumurun remains in immaculate condition and a beloved sight at Les Voiles.
Coming up
Friday 3 October: Racing for Maxi, Modern and Classic yachts — including the Rolex Trophy.
Saturday 4 October: Final racing day for Maxis and prize-giving.
Sunday 5 October: Prize-giving for Modern and Classic yachts, including the Rolex Trophy.
