Halfway through Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, and the story of this 28th edition is being written as much by its spirit as by its results. Moderns and Traditions completed another race apiece under solid conditions on Wednesday, while the Maxis took a rest day, save for two boats that couldn't resist a private duel. The 35-metre Wally Cento Tilakkhana II took on the 22-metre Maxi GP Balthasar in the traditional Club 55 Maxi Yacht Cup challenge, raced in real time with no rating calculations involved.
That informal, corinthian spirit runs through the regatta this year. It was the same approach taken by the three J Class yachts in their own friendly challenge, an ethos instilled by Patrice de Colmont, creator of the Nioulargue, who died last year.
Among the IRC fleet, a hierarchy is starting to emerge after three races, though tight starts keep throwing up surprises. Knutte and Albator 3 both jumped the start this morning and picked up five-point penalties with no way to make amends, penalties that can't be sailed off under the race instructions. "It's normally quite a deterrent because we can't afford competitors coming back to cross the line again, or multiplying the number of starts given how many categories we run each morning," said Georges Korhel, the Principal Race Officer.
Spirit of Lorina won the IRC0 race today ahead of Daguet 5, first across the line but unable to save its rating against a three-minute-per-hour deficit between the two boats. It's the first season for the crew led by Jean-Pierre Barjon and Marcelo Pica aboard this 2012 Botin-designed TP52, and they've clearly found their groove. Spirit of Lorina is now locked in a battle for the BMW Trophy with Germany's Knutte after three races.
Favorit, the Farr 45, won IRC1 today, but the podium fight is tightening into a four-way contest between Lisa R, Pretexte 2, Zappys and Searcher 2. In IRC2, J Wow continues its near-perfect run, conditions clearly suiting the powerful Johnstone design. Pride, the Swan 44 owned by the Jayson family and defending champion in IRC3, finally banked its first win of the regatta. Iskareen, a Swan 391, found its Monday pace again in IRC4 and looks a real threat for overall victory.
Everyone rests tomorrow for Challenge Day, before racing resumes Friday and Saturday.
In the Traditions fleet, the eleven "Big" boats and Grand Tradition yachts, ranging from 22 to 56 metres, again produced the finest starts of the day. Tuiga, absent last year and now helmed by Jimmy Spithill, finished second. Atlantic, all 65 metres and 300 tonnes of her, wisely held back from the fleet in an easterly breeze that topped 15 knots in the gusts.
"Yesterday we started under light genoa because there was less wind in the bay, but after that we had to hold on, it got a bit sporty and the boat's structure was tested!" said Guillaume Wattinne, owner of Svanevit, an 8 Metre from 1939 designed by Swedish architect Tore Holm.
The P Class produced more close racing, Chips beating Joyant by just seven seconds on corrected time. Olympian, disqualified yesterday while leading, can't afford another slip.
Tilakkhana II won the first Club 55 Maxi Yachts Cup encounter against Balthasar today, sailed in real time exactly as Patrice de Colmont intended when he founded the Nioulargue in 1981. He was never a competitor himself, preferring quiet anchorages aboard Cocotte, the small mahogany dinghy he sailed as a boy.
De Colmont died on 11 October 2025, meaning this is the first edition of the Voiles held without him. His touch is still evident in every real-time duel and every friendly challenge on the water this week, a fitting tribute to the man who built this regatta on the idea that sailing, above all, should be enjoyed.
