3 October 2025
More sunshine at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez today with the maritime air mass counterpointed by an E’ly breeze enabling the 19 categories competing in the Maxi, Modern and Tradition categories to dance to a new tune. The suspense remains high among a dozen classes in the battle for outright victory, which will be decided tomorrow as racing rounds off at this 27th edition of the event, where more boisterous conditions may well be on the menu.
Tradition yachts: Spartan and Kiwi Magic confirm, Elena of London at her peak
Photographer Guilain Grenier remarked, “This was the most beautiful day of Les Voiles!” today after returning from his reporting. With the wind and light aligning perfectly, the ballet of classic yachts including Elena of London teasing the three-masted schooner Atlantic on a reach in a good medium breeze was a sight to behold. In the Rolex Trophy, the competition remains tight between Cambria and Elena Of London, who are just one point apart, with the latter securing the last podium spot. Suspense also colours play in Epoque Marconi B between Sonny and Dan, in the Cruiser category between Lelantina and Eugenia IV, and in IOR where Matrero and Il Moro di Venezia are tied on points. Meanwhile, Spartan in the Big Racer category and Kiwi Magic in the Twelves both scored their third bullet in a row.
Maxis: Windward-leewards and coastal courses
Today, the Maxi 3 and 4 categories were treated to two windward-leeward courses after the Race Committee launched a second start. The Maxi 1, Maxi GP and Maxi 5 categories competed in the 18-mile coastal course No.5. Tactician Ken Read made the right call for Karel Komarek’s Wally Cento V to make a good escape on the scoreboard and remain in contention for outright victory tomorrow in the Edmond de Rothschild Trophy. The same was true for Yoru in Maxi 4 and Crazy Diamond in Maxi 5. However, in Maxi GP, the Wallyrocket 71 Django remains at the top of the scoreboard, but today’s victor, Vesper, is just one point behind. Twin Soul B also stands a good chance of snatching victory after winning two windward-leewards and taking the lead ahead of Lyra, with just two points separating them. A verdict is expected tomorrow.
Modern yachts: Suspense in three of the five classes
High-rated boats Daguet and the Wally Rocket 51 Kilara II struggled on the coastal course despite a more boisterous breeze. After Vesper took victory and Zen posted a poor performance, the landscape for the IRC 0 leaders has changed, with the Turkish Arkas Blue Moon now waiting in the wings. The top two would need a very poor race for her to improve on her current third place.
In other classes, the Race Committee wisely shortened the course to utilise a subtle W’ly airstream. An incorrect reading of the finishing gate led to the disqualification of the German Melges 32 Heat, but Give Me 5, Adrien Follin’s Cape 31, took the win today. This result puts her at the top of the provisional ranking, although a protest procedure is underway. In IRC3, the Swan 44 Pride, second today, is continuing to hold the top spot and is on track for the crown. In IRC 1, the Swan 42 Zappys has a five-point lead and can also taste success, as can Expresso, the leading JPK 1010 in IRC5, who was victorious last year.
One day, one boat: Albator 3, the pocket-sized TP, which can cut it among the best
Those following the IRC 0 starts cannot have missed this boat, resembling a scaled-down version of a TP 52 with a red phoenix on her bow. Albator is a 2021 Botin Partners design racing in the colours of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez. There are only two examples of this boat worldwide. One French sailor expressed his excitement, having faced challenges in acquiring it from Brazil. The boat, designed entirely for racing, features a complex setup with multiple hydraulic rams for adjusting rig tension. Despite being a “wet boat,” she currently lies in 6th place in the overall ranking this evening in IRC 0, behind the TP 52s.
All change among the Twelves
The competition among the four 12mRs is fierce, led by Marianne Petersen’s Kiwi Magic, currently ahead of South Australia and KZ5, two other 12mRs from 1985-87. France 1, designed for the 1970 America’s Cup, is lagging behind, while French Kiss is absent this year due to a mast failure during the recent Régates Royales de Cannes. The class, which had seven 12mRs at the World Championships in Porquerolles, aims to create a structured schedule that includes 6 to 8 regattas in the Mediterranean next year, with the Worlds in Imperia, Italy. Patrizio Bertelli, owner of Kookaburra and Azzura, is keen to repatriate them to Italy’s other seaboard, while Kiwi Magic will remain in the Mediterranean.
SAINT-TROPEZ PROGRAMME
Saturday, October 4: Racing for Maxi, Modern and Classic yachts, including the Rolex Trophy, Prize giving for Maxis
Sunday, October 5: Prize giving for Modern and Classic yachts, including the Rolex Trophy
The full programme for Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is available online at https://www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr/en/presentation/program
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