Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is celebrating its 15th anniversary from 27th September to 5th October 2014

A legendary and major event in the Tropezian city, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year

4,500 crewmen onboard 300 of the most beautiful modern and classic boats in the world coming together for this inescapable meeting in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Heirs of the Club 55 Cup and La Nioulargue, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez has brought the very soul of these special events which were born by a happy coincidence back to life over the last 15 years.

Once upon a time… Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez

It all started in September 1981 with a slightly mad race between Pride, the Swan 44, owned by the American Dick Jason, and Ikra, a 12m IG skippered by Jean Redelé, competing over the (from this moment) famous course connecting the Tour du Portalet by the buoy of Club 55, where Patrice de Colmont, the Club 55 Director, and originator of this course was awaiting the winning crew for an amazing lunch, where the prize of an informal and joyous atmosphere would be on the menu.

“And it was so, that the Club 55 Cup was born, through a slightly crazy race”

A rematch would come about the following year, then other boats would join the race, then there would be new categories, then parades, fancy dress, bowls competitions… All that would spontaneously become a part of it, to create one of the most key meetings in international Sailing. Thanks to Patrice de Colmont’s input, the fleet has been growing more and more each year, up until it has become the event that we know today that brings together Modern and Classic Wally styles.

“This perfect blend of traditional yachts and boats from the third millennium have branded the identity of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez”

The terrible accident which occurred in 1995, between the Mariette and the 6m IG Taos Brett IV would mark the end of “La Nioulargue”, and in so, the end of an era. La Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez consequently decided to pick up the torch, giving birth to “Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez”. Its current president, André Beaufils, has from then on, made sure that this meeting is preserved, so that this beautiful history is continued onwards, again and again.

Each year, as if by magic, the little Tropezian village experiences dancing sails on its colourful facades, at the mercy of the start of Autumn’s daylight. And it is together that the Tropezians and Sailors from all over the world meet, for a week of partying, races and clear camaraderie.

A meeting which has truly been etched over the years in the most popular regatta calendar in the world, always with the same passion: the Love of the Sea.

Find out about the programme of  the Voiles de Saint-Tropez