From September 26th to October 9th

 

The first week of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez ended Sunday with many YCM members relishing the chance to get back out on the water and compete again.

This year the Rolex Trophy was awarded in the Period Gaffer category which attracted six yachts, all over a hundred years old. Despite winning the last race, YCM member Kostia Belkin’s Viola (Fife 1908), skippered by Fabien Després, finished 2nd behind another elegant Fife design, Eva (1906) and her 80% female crew.

Lulu (1897), designed by Thomas Rabot with Gustave Caillebotte and one of the oldest yachts at Les Voiles, completed the podium.

In the Period Gaffer A category, congratulations also to the sloop Scud (Herreshoff 1903), restored by her new owner Patrizio Bertelli and helmed by an Olympic sailing legend, the Brazilian Torben Grael.

In the Classic Marconi B category comprising 12M and over IR sloops and yawls, the battle was intense between YCM member Oren Nataf’s Stiren (1937) and Palynodie II (1962). The latter won out after an excellent win in the final race, the two Olin Stephens’ designs having been separated by the number of races won.

Racing continues on Tuesday with the Super Series fleet comprising around 30 Maxi yachts and the big schooners.