Voile de St Tropez update

News from the Mediterranean's grand sailing fest to be held at the end of this month

The fifth Voiles de Saint Tropez promises to be the high point of the Mediterranean season for both modern and classic yachts. The event, like the Nioulargue it replaced, is one of the few gatherings where these two fleets share the same stretch of water in a regatta.

This year André Beaufils, the President of the Société Nautique of Saint Tropez, will take care of the organisation with his usual team and hopes maintain the same spirit and format that this regatta has developed over the years.

On the water

As tried last year, the inscriptions will be carried out simultaneously for the competitors in both categories - modern and classic - and through to Semagest, in charge of the port management, the boats will be welcomed into St Tropez from Saturday 27 September onwards. As a result the classic yachts will be able to begin the regatta from the Tuesday, rather than just the Wednesday as in the past.

As with La Nioulargue, classic yachts who take part in the event are exempt from the entry cost - a donation to the SNSM (RNLI equivalent) is left to the discretion of the owners.

This year will see the use of two distinct and extended starting zones with the starts always being given from a committee boat, for both the modern boats and the classic fleets.

The Portalet zone will take priority for the modern boats on Monday followed by the classic boats, but the race committee reserves the possibility of starting from a different line. From Tuesday onwards, the starts for the modern boats will be given from the other side of the peninsula, opposite Salins beach. This system run for the last two years, enables the local wind conditions to be used to best effect and to avoid possible delays.

The Voiles de Saint-Tropez team is gearing to receive some 3000 sailors.

This year will be marked by the absence of Jean-Pierre Odéro - the late organiser of the Royale Regattas in Cannes fulfilled his role as race officer for the classic yachts with passion. He has been replaced by Georges Korhel - normally in charge of the modern yacht regattas - and who will be supported by Vinca Odéro. The management of the regattas for the modern yachts will also change and will be organised this year under the presidency of Bernadette Delbart, present in the organisation of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez from the outset.

On land

The Voiles de St Tropez village will be erected beside the Harbour Master’s Office and will form the nerve centre of the regatta. Two tents are planned to be there again this year to welcome the members of the Race Committee and the Jury, grouping all the race official together in one place. New for 2003 is the creation of a 'partner’s space' which will enable the guests to be greeted into the heart of the entertainment in the village.

Among the diverse entertainment directed by Pierre-Yves Barasc are the pétanque competition will once again be taking part, in the familiar surroundings of the Place des Lices. This involves around 100-150 teams from boat crews pitching themselves against the locals.

Once again this year the public in Saint-Tropez will play a large part in the festivities with street entertainment: ethnic musical groups, processions of comedians, stilt walkers, and of course, the amazing presentation of the crews, programmed for Thursday evening.

Along with the founders Prada and Wally, three additional companies have just joined the partners club of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez. They are the Beneteau group, the Gassin Golf Country Club and car builder BMW.

Schedule

CLASSIC YACHTS
Saturday 27th - Monday 29th September: Welcome and checks
Sunday 28th September : Finish of the Coupe d’Automne du Yacht Club de France – Trophée Grimaldi – Trophée Prada
Tuesday 30th, Wednesday 1st, Thursday 2nd, Friday 3rd (J. Laurain Day) and Saturday 4th October: Coastal Course. First start 1200 pm
MODERN SAILING YACHTS Cup of the Town of Saint-Tropez
Saturday 27th – Sunday 28th : Welcome and checks
Monday 29th September, Tuesday 30th, Wednesday 1st, Thursday 2nd, Friday 3th (J. Laurain Day) and Saturday 4th October: Coastal Course. First start 1130 am