Saint-Tropez celebrated the 25th anniversary of the legendary “Les Voiles”. Ideal conditions greeted the 250 boats competing in a week of spectacular racing organised by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez. Among this fleet of legends of the sea the young team from Yacht Club de Monaco attracted attention on Loïc Pompée’s Le Joy, the personification of a youth revival in sailing.

The five young sailors aged 18-19, arrived in Saint-Tropez their hearts full of pride and excitement aboard the IRB classed yacht in the modern category and enjoyed an extraordinary week. For them it was not just about a podium finish or the results, but as their coach Thierry Leret explains: “We have no time objective or pressure to get results, the aim is to teach them new skills and work as a team”.  For these young people, used to sailing on dinghies, discovered a whole other world. Manoeuvring a sailing boat weighing several tons is a new challenge where communication and team spirit are key. “There is a lot they have to re-learn,” adds Thierry Leret, emphasising that every crew member has to be attentive in his/her specific position on board. But it was also about absorbing the spirit of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, an event in which they finished 31st.

For Luca Machiamdo, 18, it was his first time competing at Les Voiles, and he was impressed by the warm and festive atmosphere, and having watched it he said being out there on the water as one of the contestants was “an indescribable feeling”. As for Didier Schouten, 19, it was not the first time, having had the honour of sailing last year on Yacht Club de Monaco’s flagship Tuiga.

For Thierry Leret, 62, who loves coaching young people this experience is an opportunity to pass on values associated with the sea to new generations. “It’s not just about the Olympic Games or competition,” he says, “it’s also about heritage and helping each other at sea”.

Not just content with celebrating traditions and big names in sailing, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2024 is a stage for the next generation, ready to write the next chapter with as much passion as their predecessors. These values are dear to Yacht Club de Monaco who make it a point of honour to invite young sailors to major events on the circuit like the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series, the first Act of which is on 7-10 November 2024.