The 24th edition of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez started yesterday with the first start of the Maxis in the second part of the traditional event. Prior to this, 82 classic yachts and 132 modern yachts under 60 feet had already competed for a week in a wide variety of conditions.
The Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, the organising association, is celebrating its 160th anniversary this year and will provide a home for 250 sailing boats and almost 3,000 sailors over the entire two-week duration of the event.
The classic yachts in particular provided spectacular images in sometimes difficult conditions due to the strong winds. From the smallest yacht, the "Dainty" (Westmacott, 1923), with a waterline of 8.20 metres, to the largest, the 55-metre-long "Shenandoah" (Theodor & Ferris, 1902), to the oldest, the "Mad Cap", launched in 1894, there was everything to see. Even the German photographer Jöran Bubke was on site and provided great impressions:
Jens Kellinghusen from Hamburg also took part alongside other German participants. He sailed his "Varuna" to fifth place in the Marshall Trophy (Epoque Marconi A).
Due to the sometimes very strong winds, the classics struggled, so that only a few races were organised in many classes. The situation was different for the modern racing yachts from IRC B to F.
One of the winners was no stranger after four races sailed, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark on his TP52 "Nanoq". He already stood at the top of the podium in the BMW Trophy (IRC C) a year ago.
"It was a wonderful week," summarised Georges Korhel, the chief race officer, looking back. As of yesterday, the second week is already in full swing.
The 46 monohulls are divided into four groups. The largest of them is the Swan 115 "Jasi" at 35 metres in length, while the smallest yachts measure "only" 60 feet (18.29 m).
In contrast to the past few days, the weather forecast for this week is for light conditions with around four to nine knots. Top crews and skippers with experience ranging from the Olympic Games to the Volvo Ocean Race and the America's Cup are competing in all classes. The only German participant, Claus-Peter Offen, is in fifth place in the Maxi 2 classification after one race.
More classic events with great picture galleries:
