YACHT readers' trip: With the "Sea Cloud Spirit" to Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez

In the middle of it all instead of just being there: experience from aboard the "Sea Cloud Spirit" Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez up close, a regatta with a rich event history. Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez originated as a fun regatta on a champagne whim. The event, initially called the "Club 55 Cup", was named after the beach bar not far from the finish line. The loser, an American with the Swan 44 "Pride", had to invite the winner, a Frenchman with the twelve-oared "Ikra", for sea urchins and champagne. Not entirely uninvolved was 55 restaurateur Patrice de Colmont, who excelled with the organisation and donated the trophy in the form of a silver serving bowl. In 1982, the US owner called for a rematch and 23 yachts, including Herbert von Karajan's "Hélisara", appeared at the spectator-friendly starting line next to the Portalet tower of the medieval fortress.

Old and modern: Classics meet maxis

Professionalisation set in as early as the third year: There were 56 entries and the name was changed to "La Nioulargue". The reason: the organiser and Club 55 owner Patrice de Colmont did not want the regatta to be seen as direct advertising and chose a name that fishermen gave to the nearby shallows. In the third year, after some persuasion on the part of de Colmont, which included a certain amount of partying, the maxi entourage - and with them, for the first time, business leaders and aristocrats - travelled directly from Porto Cervo to the Golfe de Saint-Tropez. Nowadays, the carbon racers are also drawn northwards after the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, with the difference that the gathering has been called "Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez" since 1999 and has lasted two weeks since 2020 due to a steady increase in the number of entries.

Overcrowded Vieux Port to Les Voiles

In addition to the Maxis, which were divided into groups A, B, C and D depending on their rating, the Modern (according to IRC) and Classic classes also took to the course on the same day in some cases. In 2023, the organising club, the Société Nautique de Saint Tropez, abandoned the strict division into two different regatta weeks. However, the 160 berths in the Old Harbour remain the limiting factor. Over 3,000 sailors are once again expected for the 2025 edition.

Expert on board

BOOTE EXCLUSIV and YACHT editor Sören Gehlhaus will be on board the "Sea Cloud Spirit" and provide insights into the world of maxis and the history of Les Voiles.

Itinerary Nice-Naples 29.09.-06.10.2025

• Mon 29.09. Nice/France
• Tue 30.09. St Tropez/France
• Wed 01.10. A day under sail
• Thu. 02.10. Calvi/Corsica
• Fri 03.10. Piombino/Italy
• Sat. 04.10. Portoferraio/Elba
• Sun. 05.10. A day under sail
• Mon 06.10. Naples/Italy

8 nights from € 5,295 per person in a guaranteed double outside cabin from/to harbour

The most important included services:

• Culinary delights with regional specialities - from buffets on the Lido deck to a 4-course menu in the evening
• Quality wines and beer for lunch and dinner
• All soft drinks
• All non-alcoholic coffee and tea specialities
• Welcome champagne
• Water sports equipment (snorkelling equipment and stand-up paddles)
• Fitness studio with sea view
• Zodiac tours
• All gratuities on board

As a YACHT reader, you will receive a discount of 1,000 euros per cabin. For information enquiries please contact: mail@yacht.de

This is the "Sea Cloud Spirit"

It took twelve years to complete the 138-metre-long "Sea Cloud Spirit", whose keel was laid in 2008 at the Factoria Naval Marin shipyard in Vigo, Spain. Two years later, the shipyard went bankrupt and construction was halted. It was not until 2018 that construction resumed after Sea Cloud Cruises was able to award the contract for completion to the shipbuilders at Metalships & Docks, also based in Vigo. "Sea Cloud Spirit" was finally completed on 29 April 2021, more than a decade later than originally planned.

The ship has four decks with a wide range of facilities for passengers: Main Deck, Promenade Deck, Lido Deck and Captain's Deck and Sun Deck. The 69 guest cabins are spread over three decks. On the promenade deck, in addition to the reception and the elegant restaurant with a 270-degree view over the stern, there are 25 suites with private balconies. One deck below, on the main deck, there is an infirmary, a boutique and the wellness and spa area including a steam bath, sauna, hairdressing salon and relaxation area. A bathing platform can also be folded down on the starboard side, from which water sports activities are possible.

On the lido deck, the Hamburg planning office Partner Ship Design has installed a library at the front, from which you can enjoy a fantastic view of the forecastle. There is no better place to read a book. Behind this is the lounge, including a grand piano and bar, while an open bar with bistro completes the offer in the stern area. Snacks, coffee and drinks are served here at extremely regular intervals. The captain's and sun deck above is largely open, and the superstructure in the forward section houses the bridge, the captain's cabin and office aft and a gym for guests.

In contrast to similarly sized superyachts such as Jeff Bezos' 127 metre long three-masted gaff schooner "Koru" or the 143 metre giant "Sailing Yacht A", which set their comparably large sail areas hydraulically and at the touch of a button, every sheet, every halyard and full-rigged special features such as gethaue (square sail halyard) and gordings (square sail reefing line) are operated manually on board the "Sea Cloud Spirit". That takes time. It takes the crew between 30 and 45 minutes to hoist all 28 sails into the wind.

To ensure that everything runs smoothly on board during the complex manoeuvres, there are clear procedures and a hierarchical structure. The captain decides to sail and gives the order to set sail to his boatswain, the ruler of three masts and a rigging crew of 18 sailors. He decides which sails are to be set in which wind strength. Each mast in turn has its own mast captain, who is responsible for carrying out the instructions.

Technical data of the Sea Cloud Spirit

• Length over everything: 138 m
• Width: 17,20 m
• Depth: 5,65 m
• Displacement: 4.835 t
• Sailing on the wind: 4.165 m²
• Number of sails: 28
• Height of main mast: 57,90 m
• Passengers: max. 136
• Crew: 85
• Shipyard: Factoria Naval Marin, Metalships & Docks
• Year of construction: 2021