Last straight before the 24th edition of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, which will officially kick off on Saturday, September 24, with the welcome of the competitors, orchestrated by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, for modern boats up to 18m27 and all classic boats, without size limitation. The clashes on the water will traditionally start in the afternoon of Sunday, with the arrival of the Autumn Cup of the Yacht Club de France from Cannes in which a part of the fleet of traditional boats participates. A finish sometimes made memorable when the east wind raises a nice swell that goes to the bottom of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Week 1, Modern and Classic: new routes and safety Thanks to the use of geodynamic buoys – which do not impact the seabed – modern IRC class boats can expect new routes. Depending on the weather, competitors will be able to get a brand set up for the occasion in the direction of Pampelonne and Cap Camarat. This new option makes it possible to avoid sending the fleet off a buoy without much sporting interest, with the risk of being forced to judge the arrival in case of light wind. Safety, both for the participants and the public, is the main concern of the organizing committee of the Sails. «As time passes, we see that everyone knows the event better» analyses Georges Korhel, the Main Race Officer This year we decided to reduce the length of the starting line a little bit – knowing that at Les Voiles we have fleets of up to 40 boats per group start – and as a result we also reduced the large rectangle of the exclusion zone around it a little bit. This will leave a little more room for spectators, but above all make this area more visible and easier to monitor.” As for the competitors, the establishment of a «waiting zone» for traditional boats in the bottom of the Gulf during the start session of the modern boats remains current. And if the desire to “test the line” remains strong, offenders will face penalties.
Week 2, Maxi and Multihulls: owners at the helm, break day on Thursday The obligation to have the owner at the helm of the boats between 18.28 and 24 metres, mono or multihulls, is a measure that is common to the rules of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez and those of the IMA – International Maxi Association, already in place in the Wally class rules. This provision goes both in the direction of security, but also in that of equity by limiting the role of «mercenary top guns», without diminishing the interest of their presence and their contributions, both in the technical and tactical fields, in a very high-level circuit. This is a requirement that is also in line with the “Nioulargue spirit”, that of the founding event of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, very attached to the importance of the presence on board the owners, as is perpetuated every year during the 55 Cup Club, on the Thursday of the first week. It should also be noted that, for the first time, the Thursday day of the second week is now entered as Lay Day, that is to say a day off, in the programme of the Maxis regattas with one or two hulls.
Zoom in on * The Rolex Trophy unveiled: since 2006, the watch manufacturer Rolex – partner of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez – has been showcasing a class of classic boats that represent the best boats at the time of their construction. This year, the seven large classic schooners, ranging in length from 25 to 55 metres, sometimes 100 years old, have the honour of competing in the 17th edition of the Rolex Trophy.
* The list of entries is online: on the brand new website for the Voiles de Saint-Tropez – available since September 12 – this new, more fluid and modern space makes it possible to find all the information about the event and its programme on land and on water.
* A film about the cycle and the preservation of wildlife: «Mediterranean, the odyssey for life» will be screened at the Renaissance cinema on Thursday 29 September at 2:30 pm, followed by a debate on the creation of the charter «Blue Sails», at the initiative of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez in partnership with the City of Saint-Tropez.
In the village of Les Voiles * Sailors’ games: crews will be able to enter Bras de Fer competitions * Tintamarre Award: the tour will be offered to the crew who has made the loudest entrance into the harbour each evening. * A photo contest open to the public: «Objectif Voiles», the photos must be brought on a usb stick on the Images Service booth. * Smart bracelets for the village bar: a new rechargeable stand will be made available to the bar consumers.
2022 Program Week 1: Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, Moderne et Classiques Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September: welcome of all classic sailing boats without size limitation and modern sailing boats up to 18.28 meters Monday 26 September: regattas for modern sailing boats Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28, Friday 30 September and Saturday 1 October: regattas for modern and traditional sailing boats Thursday 29 September: Challenge Day, Club 55 cup, Centennial Regatta Saturday, October 1: Awards ceremony (week 1)
Week 2: Maxi Yachts and Multihulls Sunday 3 and Monday 4 October: Home of large modern units (Wally, Mini Maxis, Maxis, Super Maxis) and Performance Cruising Multihulls (from 60 feet) Tuesday 4, Wednesday 5, Friday 7, Saturday 8: regattas Thursday 6: lay day Saturday, October 8: Awards Ceremony (Week 2)
Partners of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez ROLEX BMW NORTH SAILS WALLY SUZUKI MARINE MARSHALL MERCANTOUR BYBLOS BESSERAT DE BELLEFON TORPEZ (VIGNOBLES DE SAINT-TROPEZ) BERNARD OPTIC PEPINIERES PIERRE BASSET ESPRIT VILLAGE A SAINT-TROPEZ
VILLE DE SAINT-TROPEZ
PORT DE SAINT-TROPEZ
LES MARINES DE COGOLIN
FEDERATION FRANCAISE DE VOILE
YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE
INTERNATIONAL MAXI ASSOCIATION
Organisation :
Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez
Président : Pierre Roinson
Principal Race Officer : Georges Korhel
Responsable Régates : Frédérique Fantino
Responsable technique : Philippe Martinez
Communication et Attachée de Direction : Chloé de Brouwer
Site internet : www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr
Media site : www.snst-media.com/
Facebook : les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Officiel www.facebook.com/VoilesDeSaintTropezOfficiel
Twitter : @VoilesSTOrg
Instagram : les_voiles_de_saint_tropez https://www.instagram.com/les_voiles_de_saint_tropez/
Crédit Photos : SNST/Gilles Martin-Raget
Relations Presse : Maguelonne Turcat