The Maxis play out their season finale in Saint-Tropez 46 superyachts in the Gulf FlyingNikka, a foiler at Les Voiles
The Maxis play out their season finale in Saint-Tropez 46 superyachts in the Gulf FlyingNikka, a foiler at Les Voiles
The last Classic and Modern yachts left Saint-Tropez in the morning, to be immediately replaced in the small port by the imposing Maxi Yachts, here to compete in the final leg of their Inshore Mediterranean season as part of the second week of Les Voiles. Suffice to say that the week promises to be one of high sporting tension, as the stakes are so high for the 2022 title. 46 monohulls built for racing will be racing from tomorrow, Tuesday, in 4 distinct groups, defined according to their measurement handicap and their size. From the largest, Jasi (Swan 115) and its 35 metres of technology, to the smallest, the 60 footers (18m29) of Groupe Maxi 4, all will be sailing at their best, led by the cream of the international crews and skippers, including a myriad of Olympic medallists, Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup winners. Last inshore event of the season for the Maxis Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is now the 6th and final event on the international Maxi inshore circuit – the IMA Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge 2022 – organised under the aegis of the International Maxi Association, chaired by Benoit de Froidmont. The large yachts took part in the following regattas in 2022: Palma Vela in May in Palma de Mallorca, the Rolex Giraglia in June, starting from Saint-Tropez, the Copa del Rey MAPFRE in July, and the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo in September. The big futuristic yachts will follow in early 2023 with the IMA Caribbean Maxi Challenge, which includes the RORC Caribbean 600, the St Marteen Heineken Regatta, Les Voiles de Saint Barth and Antigua Sailing Week. But it’s in Saint-Tropez, in the setting of Les Voiles, that the trophy for the winner of the 2022 Mediterranean season will be awarded next Saturday.