At the latest when the 55 metre long "Eleonora of London" glides out of the Vieux Port of Saint-Tropez to the sound of bagpipes played by a crew member in a kilt, saltbucketers and celebrities alike become enthusiastic about this majestic sport under sail. When the classic boats set sail, there is a constant crowd on the quay, with people clapping their hands, taking photos and marvelling at the graceful wooden beauties.
When the bay is covered in sails and white and beige-coloured cloths mingle with black laminate fabric, it can only mean one thing: It's time for Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Classicsmodernity and everything in between - like no other regatta, the season finale in the Mediterranean is able to bring together what belongs together: racing yachts from all eras, from which the maximum is extracted.
All together - 125 years of yachting history
The replica "Atlantic", measuring 69 metres from the tip of the bowsprit to the stern of the yacht, competed there for the first time. Opposite the giant racing schooner were various racing goats or sports cruisers from the largest class, known as "modern", such as Melges 32, TP52 or eleven Tofinous from 9.70 to 12 metres in length. The range was enormous. The 36 metre long Summers & Payne gaff ketch "Cariad" was launched in 1896, with a spoon bow and scaffolding. She was restored in Thailand and sailed into the Mediterranean on her own long keel. It was only this year that the radical T-keel took on water. Wallyrocket 51a projectile made of full carbon fibre that seems to float above the water.
This year's Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez divided the 245 entries into five maxi, five modern and nine (!) classic groups - and this is where the inclusive and diverse approach of the event becomes particularly clear. Accordingly, three race committees acted independently of each other, with over 200 volunteers on duty. The second day of racing brought an initially weak thermal breeze, which stabilised to a good ten knots of basic wind in the afternoon and ensured races in all groups.
Maxis started out of sight
Only the three maxi classes with the Spirit 111 "Geist" as the longest starter were not in front of the eyes and lenses. As on the previous day, they were sent into the bay of Pampelonne and sailed across from Le Club 55, without which and its patron, Patrice de Colmont, the event would probably not exist. This was the finish line of the first La Nioulargue, which was contested in 1981 by a French 12 and the Swan 44 of a US owner without remuneration. It is thanks to De Colmont's efforts that the initially sceptical maxi scene made a stop in Saint-Tropez after Porto Cervo and celebrated the end of the season there.
YACHT readers sailed on "Sea Cloud Spirit"
Over 200 yachts were divided into 14 groups across the spectator-friendly starting line across the Vieux Port and not far from the anchored yachts. "Sea Cloud Spirit" sent on the railway. The three-masted full-rigged ship, which was commissioned in 2021, served participants of the YACHT readers' trip as a 138 metre long base.
Those interested in sailing switched to a chartered catamaran for an accompanying regatta trip and experienced the finest competitive sailing, which YACHT editor Sören Gehlhaus accompanied with constant commentary and sommelier Nils Lackner with a rosé tasting. In the evening, the experience on board the exclusive sailing cruiser was deepened with a 45-minute lecture on the curious origins and rapid development of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.
The next morning there was only a light breeze over the Bay of Saint-Tropez, but further south the Mediterranean was roaring. The "Sea Cloud Spirits" beat to Corsica was characterised by winds from the north-east, which were atypical for the time of year and increased to over 30 knots away from Calvi. Guests were allowed to climb into the shrouds upwind and with a good five degrees of heel, while the 4,800 tonne displacement windjammer roared along the Corsican coast at up to nine knots. A powerful experience - also for star chef Erik Arnecke (Sonne Frankenberg), who had to prepare a seven-course meal in the galley.
A final report on Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2025 is available here.
