Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2026: Record fleet with a spectacular line-up of J-Class yachts

Never before have so many Maxis been entered for “Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez”. Fifty yachts over 18.28 metres in length are on the entry list – four more than the previous record set in 2022. Together with the J-Class yachts ‘Hanuman’, ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Svea’, they will form the sporting and visual highlight of the nine-day event.

But the regatta is not defined solely by the size and speed of the participating yachts. Around 80 classic yachts are expected in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, more than 20 of which are at least 100 years old. They sail alongside modern racing yachts, whose design, rigging and sail plan are consistently geared towards speed. It is precisely this contrast that has defined the character of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez for years.

Maxis, classics and new designs

And the list of spectacular yachts goes on and on. One of the most eye-catching is the replica “Atlantic”, built in 2010 by Van der Graaf in Rotterdam. It measures 65 metres from the tip of the bowsprit to the stern. The original set a transatlantic record in 1905. The 76-foot “Northstar III” has a decidedly sportier look. The new Judel/Vrolijk design is the winner of the most recent Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo to Saint-Tropez.

On the regatta courses, therefore, very different designs come face to face: large, traditional yachts with gaff rigs, sleek classics from the interwar period and modern maxis built to the latest specifications.

From a bet to ‘Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez’

The regatta has its origins in a spontaneous duel. On 29 September 1981, the American Swan 44 ‘Pride’ challenged the significantly larger 12mR yacht ‘Ikra’. The course ran from the “Tour du Portalet” round the “Nioulargue” shoal to Club 55 on Pampelonne beach.

Even the preparations bore little resemblance to today’s professionally organised major regattas. Because a nautical chart seemed too expensive, Patrice de Colmont, one of the founding fathers who died on 11 October 2025, simply sketched the course onto a road map. ‘Ikra’ won the race. The following day, the local press reported that a new America’s Cup had been born.

The following year, “Pride” demanded a rematch, and further yachts joined in. The “Nioulargue” ultimately emerged victorious from the duel, and from then on classic and modern racing yachts sailed together in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Following a serious collision in 1995, the event was initially suspended. Since 1999, it has continued under the name “Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez”.

What remains is the combination of top-class regatta racing and a demonstrative sense of ease ashore. There is no prize money. Instead, direct challenges between yachts, communal meals, parades and games of boules on the “Place des Lices” are still part of the event today View the official programme.

• ​Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez: Scale and class – a regatta week featuring 243 yachts spanning 13 decades

Three J-Class yachts with a history in the America’s Cup

Particular attention is likely to be focused on the three J-Class yachts that have entered the race. ‘Hanuman’, ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Svea’ represent a class that is closely linked to the history of the America’s Cup. It is rare for three of these large yachts, with their long overhangs, to compete together in a regatta.

“Hanuman” was launched by Royal Huisman in 2009. Her lines are based on Charles E. Nicholson’s “Endeavour II” and were further developed by Dykstra Naval Architects for this modern new build. The yacht has been owned since 2026 according to the J-Class Association the Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Lombardi Stronati.

The “Rainbow”, built in 2012, is based on the design of the same name by Starling Burgess. The historic original won the America’s Cup in 1934 against the “Endeavour”. The modern replica is shorter and lighter than the other two J-Class yachts entered in the race. The ‘Rainbow’ is considered particularly competitive in light winds.

‘Svea’ was completed in 2017. It was based on drawings by the Swedish designer Tore Holm dating from 1937. At the time, Holm had designed a potential Swedish challenger for the America’s Cup. The boat was never built, and the plans were forgotten. Decades later, they served as the starting point for the modern “Svea”. At 43.6 metres, it has the longest hull of the trio.

Head-to-head battles on the water

As well as the regular races, the programme also includes head-to-head match races. “Rainbow” and “Hanuman” are set to face off on Wednesday. This duel ties in directly with the J-Class’s America’s Cup history. The spirit of the original challenge also lives on in the Maxi class. Defending champion “Balthasar”, a Maxi 72, will face the Wally Cento “Tilakkhana II” at the Club 55 Maxi Yacht Cup.

On Thursday, the classic yachts will take centre stage in the match races. The yawl ‘Mariella’, built in 1938 to a design by Alfred Mylne, will then take on the Bermuda cutter ‘Hallowe’en’. The “Hallowe’en”, designed by William Fife, was built in 1926 and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Four German yachts have entered the race

There are also several yachts flying the German flag taking part. The Mylius 66 RS ‘Schorch’ is competing in Maxi Class 4. Also taking part are the TP52 ‘Knutte’ and the Judel/Vrolijk 45 ‘Leu’, which is competing in IRC 1. Among the classic yachts is the yawl “Varuna”, built in 1939. It was designed by Sparkman & Stephens.

Whilst the sailing village opens on Saturday 26 September, the first races will get underway on Monday with the Maxis and modern yachts. From Tuesday, the classic yachts will also be joining the action, including those competing in the Rolex Trophy. In 2026, the trophy will mark the 20th anniversary of Rolex’s involvement in Les Voiles.

The American P-Class yachts are also set to take centre stage. These large gaff-rigged cutters were built at the beginning of the 20th century based on a measurement formula devised by Nathanael Herreshoff. Wednesday and Thursday are also set aside for the head-to-head races. On Friday and Saturday, all fleets will return to the regular race courses.

​Further information You can find information about the regatta here.