Les Voiles de Saint Tropez Unites Tradition and Glamour
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ate afternoon sunlight gilds the forest of masts in Saint-Tropez’s old port as teak decks creak underfoot and polished brass gleams. It’s the closing chapter of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2025, and the scene is something out of a living maritime painting – century-old yachts and modern racing machines riding at anchor, crew in smart navy blazers ferrying ashore for the evening’s fêtes. In this exclusive regatta on the French Riviera, the world of luxury and high culture intertwines with storied nautical heritage, creating an atmosphere of timeless elegance and friendly competition that has international tastemakers enthralled.
Majestic Yachts and Fierce Competition
Over 240 sailing yachts – including a record number of 41 Maxi yachts and 81 vintage classics – converged on the Gulf of Saint-Tropez for this year’s spectacle. Among them, the legendary 64-meter schooner Atlantic made her much-anticipated Les Voiles debut, 120 years after first etching her name in sailing lore by setting a transatlantic record in 1905. Atlantic joined eight other “Big Boats” vying for the coveted Rolex Trophy, a contest ultimately won by the 23m cutter Cambria by a razor-thin margin. In fact, Cambria barely edged out the restored 55m Elena of London, with the mighty Atlantic herself completing the podium – a triumphant trio that cut a majestic sight on the bay.
Meanwhile, modern speedsters had their own showcase. Five divisions of Maxi yachts battled throughout the week, often separated by just a point or two in the standings. The Italian Mini Maxi Crazy Diamond proved the surprise star of the modern fleet, clinching both its Maxi 5 class win and the Town of Saint-Tropez Cup as the top Maxi overall. This sleek racer, skippered by Enzo Pellizzaro, outsailed even larger rivals with light-air finesse and consistency. At the other end of the size spectrum, cutting-edge Wally and IRC yachts duked it out for trophies; the new Wally 71 Django 7X, 100-ft V, and others pushed the innovation envelope. Yet whether heritage gaff schooner or foiling-modern racer, each boat at Les Voiles was celebrated as an objet d’art in its own right – a testament to the regatta’s unique spirit of embracing both tradition and technological progress.
Corinthian Spirit Amid High Society
Despite the high stakes on the water, a refreshing bonhomie permeated the docks. This year 3,000 sailors from around the globe came together in St. Tropez, and they “celebrated in style with no incidents to lament,” as organizers proudly noted – a sure sign that the cherished Corinthian spirit of fair play and amateur camaraderie was alive and well. Strolling the quays, one could spot an Olympic medalist chatting with a wooden-boat enthusiast, or a tech billionaire swapping sailing yarns with a local fisherman. The entry list was a veritable who’s who of yachting and society. H.M. King Frederik of Denmark was on the helm of his sleek TP52 Nanoq, steering to a podium finish in the IRC 0 class. Not far away, British yachting legend Sir Richard Matthews – a stalwart of the sport – added yet another trophy to his collection, helming his classic Fife-designed Kismet to victory in the Époque Aurique division.
Even off the race course, sailing luminaries and VIP guests mingled freely. Volvo Ocean Race champion Charles Caudrelier, attending as an ambassador for new sponsor Edmond de Rothschild, was seen swapping stories dockside with crews of century-old yachts. His calm, approachable demeanor “opened up this milieu,” making it easy for pros and first-timers alike to bond over a shared passion. Such scenes underscore what sets Les Voiles apart: it is at once elite and inviting, a meeting ground for royalty, renowned skippers, and Corinthian amateurs who all speak the same language of wind and water.
Fireworks, Fétes and Riviera Glamour
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is as much a social event as it is a sailing competition, and the 2025 edition upheld this tradition with flair. On the regatta’s final Friday night, a spectacular fireworks display lit up the entire gulf in a 20-minute cascade of gold and violet pyrotechnics. As the last rockets faded, the attention shifted to a lavish crew soirée hosted by the Edmond de Rothschild Group – a new principal partner injecting fresh energy into the event. Under the palm trees by the harbor, world-class sailors kicked back in their evening best, clinking glasses of rosé champagne. A delightfully Tropezian twist to the night’s revelry was a midnight boules competition (pétanque being a local pastime) organized for the crews, which saw salty seadogs and young racers alike hurling metal boules with good-natured laughter. “It proved a big hit,” officials smiled, a perfect blend of high society and Provençal charm.
A Living Legacy
As the sun set on Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2025, it was clear that this regatta has become more than a sporting competition – it is a cultural touchstone for the international yachting community and beyond. Each year, a cosmopolitan mix of global tastemakers – from European royalty to fashion moguls and tech entrepreneurs – descends on Saint-Tropez not just to see and be seen, but to actively participate in the preservation of a sailing heritage. The event’s organizers are keenly aware of this mission: they applaud the passionate owners who race their classic yachts here, knowing the effort helps keep these maritime treasures alive.
In blending old-world elegance with contemporary luxury, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez has struck a chord that resonates far beyond the Côte d’Azur. The sight of Atlantic and Cambria charging across the bay, canvas billowing, as a modern Wally yacht skims by in the background, is a tableau of past and future that few other events can match. And in the merriment of fireworks and champagne toasts, and the thrill of cannon-fire salutes as winners cross the line, one finds a reaffirmation of what makes this gathering special. Les Voiles is a celebration of la grande tradition of sailing – heritage, craftsmanship, camaraderie – lovingly upheld in an atmosphere of Riviera glamour. Its broader significance lies in showing that preserving the sport’s legacy can harmoniously coexist with the pinnacle of luxury lifestyle. As the final cannon booms and dusk settles over Saint-Tropez, the message is unmistakable: the soul of yachting’s golden age is alive and well, and it shines brightly each year at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.
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