The successful bet of Voiles 2020 The awards ceremony on Friday evening of the second week of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2020 will have made it possible to measure the degree of satisfaction of the owners, skippers and sailors at the end of a beautiful week of regattas. It is also the moment chosen by Pierre Roinson, new President of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, organizer of the event, and the new General Manager, Tony Oller, to highlight the success of a challenge far from being won just a fortnight ago, faced with the colossal constraints linked to the health crisis. The involvement of all, sailors or volunteers, partners and institutions, on land and at sea, made it possible to hold the event, and the saga of Les Voiles, begun in 1999, can continue without interruption while everyone is already looking forward to the 2021 edition. Regatta: at last!
Over 150 boats and 2,000 sailors enlivened the waters of the Gulf of Saint Tropez for 15 days. These figures are certainly far from those usually recorded with nearly 300 boats, but despite the exceptional circumstances make these Sails 2020 a reality. For many, it was the first, and the last regatta of the season and the pleasure of sailing was palpable. For its 22nd edition, Les Voiles was experimenting with a new format. 130 boats, divided into 6 Moderne groups and 9 Tradition groups competed in the first week, before giving way to 20 Maxi Yachts and two superb schooners. Many races were validated each week, despite the gusts of wind that shook the South East of France, and each of the two parts of the new-formula event was able to dedicate magnificent winners. With this wet starting line just under the Portalet for all the series, this unique edition in hand has greatly satisfied the racers, happy to race and show their superb mounts as close as possible to the Tropéziens môles. We also noticed many boats coming for a first participation, including 6 Classic yachts and about thirty Modern sailing boats, in a difficult context, confirming the strong attractiveness of the Tropezian event.
Pierre Roinson, President of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez: no break in the history of sailing! We succeeded! Organizing our 22nd edition of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez in compliance with the health requirements was a big challenge. After 15 days of events at Les Voiles, the general feeling shared by the teams is happiness. These sails have been so difficult to implement, with so many factors of uncertainty, authorizations to obtain etc… everything ends beautifully! We had very nice days, beautiful regattas and the owners, skippers and sailors leave very satisfied. Everyone was frustrated that we couldn’t sail this year. All of our volunteers, both on land and at sea, were great. We are really happy to have been able to make these sails, with the major support of the City. By remaining vigilant and careful, we avoided problems. We’re going to pursue the idea of separating the big boats from the rest of the fleet, for safety reasons and because we want to keep the departures in the gulf in front of the port and we’re going to continue to talk to the classes to refine the program. We have a very good permanent team at the club, and especially a team of amazing volunteers who help us run the club.”
Georges Korhel, Main Race Officer The show closest to the spectators! «As an organizer, everything went well, with this new regatta format that also made it possible to put all the participants at the start right in front of the port. The first week, with only 130 boats, went very well, and even with double the number of boats, we are convinced that this remains manageable. Our teams are well trained. Everyone does what they have to do. Tribute to our teams! It is necessary to offer more choice of great routes to the great modern ships that need miles, distance to express themselves. Fewer runs between 3 buoys. We will adapt, while keeping the principle of a two-week event. We have here very spectacular Modern ships, and the gulf lends itself to make spectacle. We can propose a perfectly adapted playground to allow the public to see these amazing units evolve as closely as possible. We can imagine routes close to the Saint-Tropez jetties. Entertainment to promote our sport.”
They were at Voiles… Patrizio Bertelli, Billy Besson, Mitch Booth, Marc Bouet, Francois Brenac, Aymeric Chapelier, Bertrand de Broc, Benoît De Froidmont, Fabien Després, Jean-Pierre Dick, Peter Dubens, Eric Dumont, Robin Follin, Sidney Gavignet, Tara Getty, Torben Grael, Bruno Jourdren, Marc Lepesqueux, Xavier Macaire, Anthony Marchand, Corinne Migraine, Jean-Paul Mouren, Jean-Pierre Nicol, Lionel Péan, Loïck Peyron, Christopher Pratt, Nick Rogers, Marc Thiercelin, Bruno Troublé, Maurits Van Oranje, Gerald Véniard
Programme 2020 (reminder) Week 1: Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September: welcome of sailing boats up to about 20 metres (except for certain classes) Monday 28 September: regattas for modern sailing boats Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 September, Friday 2, Saturday 3 October: regattas for modern sailing boats and traditional sailing boats Thursday 1 October: Challenge Day Saturday 3 October: award ceremony (week 1) Week 2: Les Voiles Super Series Sunday 4 and Monday 5 October: welcome of the big units (Wally, IRCA, Maxi yachts, Grand Traditions, large schooners) Tuesday 6, Wednesday 7, Thursday 8, Friday 9: regattas of large units
Friday, October 9: award ceremony (week 2) The measures planned by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez (excluding competing devices) : Staff and volunteers – Screening of all workers before and during the Sailing Village event – Reduction of the village to 400 m2 (instead of the usual 1,500 m2), 400 people maximum – Exhibition spaces limited to partners. Access to the official North Sail store will be from the outside only. Masks, Intake Temperature Measurements and Water Alcohol Gel Required – Working with the Cerballiance Laboratory to screen for those interested in doing so. Activities: The traditional bowls competition, crew parade, crew festival and sardinade will not be able to take place this year. Media – Paperless registration formalities, no press room, press contact via email, text or telephone only. For boarding: negative test of less than 72 hours, mandatory wearing of the mask, appointment of boarding at the feet of the boats. The partners of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2020ROLEX BMW NORTH SAILS CHAMPAGNE BESSERAT DE BELLEFON EAUX 808 SUZUKI MARINE MERCANTOUR EVENTS MARSHALL TORPEZ (VIGNOBLES DE SAINT-TROPEZ) BERNARD OPTIC LORO PIANA INTERNATIONAL MAXI ASSOCIATION DERBEZ JARDINS PORT DE SAINT-TROPEZ LES MARINES DE COGOLIN FEDERATION FRANCAISE DE VOILE YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE