Classics: brush up on your classics It’s one of the most prestigious and sought-after awards: every year for the past 17 years, the Rolex Trophy at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez has put the spotlight on a category of Classic boats. This year, it’s the Yawls, the elegant fractional rigs under whose spell skipper Lionel Péan succumbes at the helm of Hermitage , his splendid 21-meter monohull dating from 1965. “When.
Classics: brush up on your classics It’s one of the most prestigious and sought-after awards: every year for the past 17 years, the Rolex Trophy at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez has put the spotlight on a category of Classic boats. This year, it’s the Yawls, the elegant fractional rigs under whose spell skipper Lionel Péan succumbes at the helm of Hermitage , his splendid 21-meter monohull dating from 1965. “When sailing downwind, the small mast at the stern makes it possible to hoist a spinnaker, which provides a nice addition to the sail area.” But he makes no secret of the subtleties involved in handling this very special little sail, set aft of the rudder axis. “Unlike the mizzenmast, which is larger and associated with the boat’s propulsion, the ‘tape-cul’ is a handkerchief thrown back from the stern of the boat, mainly used to balance the helm. This sail is very difficult to use: if it’s too tightly tucked in, it causes the boat to drift or even skid, so the crew member who has to trim it has the role of a helmsman, because if it’s not tightly tucked in, it’s useless and increases drag”. Also eagerly awaited this year is Baruna , another Yawl from 1938. Designed to win the Newport-Bermuda race, it’s a scaled-down version of the J Class Ranger , winner of the America’s Cup 4-0. Nothing is standard on this incredible boat designed by the prestigious New York firm Sparkman & Stephens, and which has just completed an 8-year restoration. Everything has been made or re-made to measure, as the team behind its renaissance explains, with the possible exception of some racing gloves, an essential accessory when sailing aboard this unique jewel. 2023 is a milestone for the incredible Alcyon 1871 : marking 10 years since Edith and Marc Frilet moved mountains to rebuild this replica of the extinct, incredible and fully canvased racing boats in the Mediterranean at the turn of the 20th century: the Houaris. This boat is a copy of the one that belonged to Edith’s grandfather, an illustration of how the passion for boats goes far beyond the life of the owner, and can span several generations.
2023 Programme (details of the programme ashore is available on-line on the Voiles website) Friday 29 September: Maxi registration (over 18.28m) Saturday 30 September: Maxi registration (over 18.28m) and registration for Classic and Modern yachts up to 18.28 meters Sunday 1 st October: regattas for the Maxis, registration for Classic and Modern yachts up to 18.28 meters Monday 2 October: regattas for Maxi and Modern yachts Tuesday 3 October: regattas for all fleets Wednesday 4 October: regattas for Modern and Classic yachts, Lay Day for the Maxis, Maxi Club 55 Cup Thursday 5 October: Challenge Day and Club 55 Cup for 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 Modern and Classic yachts, Sunday October 8: Prize-giving ceremony for Modern and Classic yachts