Originally known under the name of Nioulargue, this unique event in the world created by Patrice de Colmont has never stopped attracting more and more yachtmen over the years. This success is mainly due to the quality of the plateau and to the conviviality reigning on land and at sea. 25 years ago, Nioulargue had to change and improve its structure and organization by becoming “Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez”.
“The spirit of Les Voiles was there”
Interviewed at the end of this vintage anniversary, Pierre Roinson, president of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez and an experienced racer, does not hide his immense satisfaction: ”We have never seen so many people on the docks, the quality of the set was exceptional and the weather was perfect. As an organizer, I always have a pinch of not being on the water, but I have had the chance to run all over the world and never anywhere else than at Les Voiles have I seen these images of entering and leaving the port, which form a unique ballet.” The great originality of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is to have been able to bring together on the same body of water boats as different as the legendary Grand Clasics, some of which are centuries old, and the most recent racing machines built entirely of carbon, from the hull to the sails.
The worldwide reputation of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez forced the organizers to limit the number of sailboats participating in the regattas to 250, with their own courses according to their size and category, Maxis, Classique, Traditions, Bermudians or Marconi. Every day, the race committee does its best to find the ideal courses according to the weather.
Thursday remains a very particular day bringing back to the origin of Nioulargue, the day of challenges. The original put the 12m JI IKRA and the Swan 44 Pride by American Dick Jayson side by side on a course leading them to the buoy signaling the high ground that gave his name to the race and a finish in front of Club 55 where Patrice de Colmont awaits the winners for a lunch on Pampelonne beach.
Les Voiles en fête
Since the 1950s, Saint-Tropez has been synonymous with celebration and Les Voiles is no exception to this rule. For connoisseurs as well as for the uninitiated, this celebration in the glory of yachting offers for ten days a show that ends only at night. For these thousands of spectators, the city and the various economic players have continued to improve the infrastructures for a better reception. The pier starting from the Portal Tower and up to the entrance to the port has been designed to make it accessible to as many people as possible. The view is breathtaking, allowing you to see the boats entering and leaving the port like a well-adjusted ballet, then to witness the departures and arrivals in the Gulf. Spectators made no mistake when they took over the pier to see the arrival of Classics and Traditions from Cannes. The Régates Royales announce the end of the regatta season, but it is in Saint-Tropez that all yachtmen like to meet for a final in apotheosis.
This 25th edition has kept all its promises thanks to a perfect organization, both on the water and at sea. Despite sometimes sudden changes in wind conditions causing some minor damage, the three race committees were able to launch the necessary number of races to validate the rankings. The trophies rewarding the winners in each class were hotly contested. King Frederik of Denmark won the North Sail Trophy for the second time in his category, and the Rolex Trophy for the best period yacht in the Big Racers category was awarded to Marga.
Associated places
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