Two months before the start of the 2020 edition of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, registrations are being confirmed and the outlines of the reception arrangements, for participants and the public, are becoming clearer.

Competitors: racing starts in front of Saint-Tropez, docking in the port

For the 250 or so competitors who have pre-registered for the Voiles, the validation of their participation is crucial. It is an obligatory step to confirm their inscription on the coveted list of participants for this event which is, as usual, overly subscribed and by waiting list only. This is especially important this year as all regatta starts, for the classic boats as for the moderns, will be given in front of Saint-Tropez. This early confirmation of participation also increases the chances of having pride of place in the port of Saint-Tropez.

There will be a whole new spectacle for the participants and public alike with the new format, over two weeks, separating the fleet according to boat size making it possible to get a closer look at boats never before welcomed inside the port during the event. Previously, of the 300 boats that usually take part in the event, only around half were able to have a place in Saint-Tropez. The rest of the fleet, for safety reasons in the event of strong weather, have been obliged to take a berth in neighbouring ports around the Gulf.

 Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2013 © Gilles Martin-Raget / www.martin-raget.com

On shore: a redesigned format

“Taking into account the imposed security measures”, specifies Pierre Roinson, President of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez and organiser of the Voiles, “and in order to not create the conditions for a regrouping in a single place – neither for the public, nor for the participants – we have set up a protocol. The Race Village will only host the partners’ stands and will be open to the public in groups of no more than 400 people, with wearing of masks being compulsory. The Race Village bar has been cancelled as well as the crew parade and boules competition. There will therefore be no activities specific to the organisation. The official clothing store, that of our partner North Sails, will be located at the entrance of the village with a direct access to the exterior. These provisions take us back to the Nioulargue years: boats, regattas and entertainments at the heart of the village.”

This configuration, validated by President Pierre Roinson and Director General, Tony Oller, thus opens the possibility for businesses and establishments in Saint-Tropez, obviously affected by the consequences of the pandemic, to take in hand the entertainment and other activities which create the festive spirit linked to the event.

Provisional Programme 2020:

Week 1: The Voiles de Saint-Tropez

• Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September: registration for boats up to (approx.) 20 meters (except for certain classes)
• Monday 28th September: racing for modern yachts
• Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th September, Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd October: racing for modern yachts and classic yachts
• Thursday 1st October: Challenge Day
• Saturday 3rd October: prize-giving (week 1)

Week 2: The Voiles Super Boats

• Sunday 4th and Monday 5th October: big boat registration (Wally, IRCA, Maxi yachts, Grands Traditions, big Schooners)
• Tuesday 6th, Wednesday 7th, Thursday 8th, Friday 9th: class racing
• Friday 9th October: prize-giving (week 2)

For reasons linked to the uncertainty of the global situation, the organisation of the event will be reviewed monthly, next at the end of August. This is to keep competitors and public informed in accordance with government and federal authority directives, as well as to assure the protection and safety of staff and volunteers involved in the event organisation.

www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr

by Maguelonne Turcat