Les Voiles 2023 is starting with a bang on Sunday. 40 Maxi Yachts, jewels of both elegance and technology, are hitting the racetrack and the outright winner of the International Maxi Association’s Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge will be crowned this coming Friday.
Powering into action at Le Portalet, midway through the afternoon they’ll cross tacks with the Classic yachts sprinting from Cannes to Saint Tropez within the scope of the Yacht Club de France’s Autumn Cup. Once everyone’s in the gulf, the tone will be set for a dazzling week of competition in celebration of the convivial spirit that is synonymous with Les Voiles, where the resplendence of yachting takes on a whole new level. 250 sailboats, over 3,000 sailors, daily musical entertainment and the traditional event highlights that have forged the reputation of Les Voiles will converge around the all-new Village des Voiles which this year has pride of place atop the town’s Jean Réveille jetty.
A paperless Les Voiles
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez’s paperless approach to all its publications is taking on a whole new dimension this year. Indeed, the 3,000 sailors and all the public can now access everything they need in just one click by scanning a QR code, which is notably available on the event’s website. Principal Race Officer, Georges Korhel, welcomes this highly connected virtuous approach with open arms as it benefits the planet and makes the work of his teams so much simpler. Going forward, the skippers, sailors and fans will have at their fingertips all the latest information about the different race schedules and results via smartphone or tablet.
One of the finest Maxi meets on the planet!
With 40 Maxis set to hit the racetrack, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is one of the main events on the race schedule for the International Maxi Association presided over by Benoit de Froidmont. At the cutting edge of technology, with an LOA in excess of 30 metres on occasion, these magnificent monohulls are split into 4 different groups in Saint Tropez, according to each yacht’s measurement and rating, ensuring that the competition is as fair as possible. This will be the last of 6 meetings this season to crown the champion of the IMA Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge (PalmaVela, Sorrento Trophy, Rolex Giraglia, Copa del Rey, Rolex Cup) so posting a stellar performance in Saint Tropez is an absolute must for many in their bid to round off the year in style.
Programme 2023 (details of the programme ashore are available online via Les Voiles website)
Sunday 1 October: regattas for the Maxis, registration of the Classic and Modern yachts measuring up to 18.28 metres, arrival of the Yacht Club de France autumn cup (Cannes-Saint-Tropez)
Monday 2 October: regattas for the Maxis and the Modern yachts
Tuesday 3 October: regattas for the whole fleet
Wednesday 4 October: regattas for the Modern and Classic yachts, Day Off for the Maxis and Club 55 Maxi Cup
Thursday 5 October: Challenge Day and Club 55 Cup for the Modern and Classic yachts, regattas for the Maxis
Friday 6 October: regattas for the whole fleet, Prize-giving for the Maxis
Saturday 7 October: regattas for the Modern and Classic yachts,
Sunday 8 October: Prize-giving for the Modern and Classic yachts
Voiles de Saint-Tropez Partners
ROLEX
BMW
NORTH SAILS
WALLY
SUZUKI MARINE
HIGHFIELD
MERCANTOUR
BYBLOS
GALERIE BARTOUX
ESPRIT VILLAGE A SAINT-TROPEZ
PEPINIERE DU GOLFE
Voiles de Saint-Tropez Official Suppliers
CHAMPAGNE BARONS DE ROTHSCHILD
CHATEAU SAINT-MAUR
DOMAINE BERTAUD BELIEU
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
President: Pierre Roinson
Principal Race Officer: Georges Korhel
Regatta Secretary: Frédérique Fantino
On-the-water logistics: Gilles Doyen
Communication and Executive Assistant: Chloé de Brouwer
Editorial: Denis van den Brink
Websites: www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr ; www.societe-nautique-saint-tropez.fr
Facebook: les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Officiel
X formerly known as Twitter: @VoilesSTOrg
Instagram: les_voiles_de_saint_tropez
