The 28th edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez has come to an end, with 253 boats taking part in a memorable week of racing. Trophies were awarded across the Maxi, Tradition and Modern fleets as the event celebrated another successful edition.
The 2026 edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez concluded with the prize-giving ceremonies for the Modern and Tradition fleets, following the Maxi awards held the previous evening.
Organised by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, the event brought together an exceptional fleet of 253 boats, including 51 Maxis and three J Class yachts.
Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez President Pierre Roinson described the week as a remarkable edition, highlighting the quality of the fleet, near-perfect racing conditions and the atmosphere both on and off the water. The event attracted more than 75,000 people per day, while nearly 4,000 sailors were in port throughout the week.
Principal Race Officer Georges Korhel also praised the edition, saying feedback from crews had been excellent and that the race committee successfully delivered the maximum number of races possible.
BLUE OYSTER TAKES THE OVERALL MAXI TITLE
Blue Oyster, sailed by Andrew Fitzamurice and Luca Scoppa, won the Coupe de la Ville de Saint-Tropez, awarded to the overall Maxi champion across all categories.
The Maxi category winners were:
- Maxi 1: Jethou – Sir Peter Ogden
- Maxi 2: Lyra – Terry Hui
- Maxi 3: Yoru – Luigi Sala
- Maxi 4: Blue Oyster – Andrew Fitzamurice / Luca Scoppa
- J Class: Svea – Niklas Zennström
- Wally: Kilara II – Jérémy Weir
In the J Class fleet, Svea finished first with 9 points and also received the Corinthian King’s Cup for the best owner-helmsman.
TRADITION FLEET HONOURED
The Tradition fleet also saw a wide range of trophies awarded across its historic yacht classes.
Key winners included:
- P Class: Olympian – Philippe Oddo
- Big Boat: Elena of London – Stephen Benfield
- Grand Tradition: Tuiga – Jimmy Spithill
- Epoque Gaffer: Kizmet – Sir Richard Matthews
- Epoque Marconi A: Leonore – Mauro Piani
- Epoque Marconi B: Lak II – Cian O’Carroll
- Classic Marconi A: Maria Giovanina II – Jean Pierre Sauvan
- Classic Marconi B: Eugenia V – Baptiste Garnier
- 12mR: Kiwi Magic – Marianne Petersen
- IOR: Resolute Salmon – Alberto Franchella
The Centenary Trophy, awarded by the Gstaad Yacht Club, went to Kismet, owned by Sir Richard Matthews.
MODERN FLEET CROWNS ITS IRC WINNERS
In the Modern Yacht fleet, the IRC class winners were:
- IRC 0: Spirit Of Lorina – Marcello Pica / Jean Pierre Barjon
- IRC 1: Lisa R – Giovanni de Vincenzo
- IRC 2: J Wow – Andrej Tschirikow
- IRC 3: Topas – Dr Harald Bruning
- IRC 4: Overdose Neo – Lilyan Bretagne
The Club 55 Maxi Yacht Cup was won by Tilakkhana II, while Hallowe’en took the Club 55 Yacht Cup.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2027
With the 28th edition now complete, organisers are already looking ahead to 2027. Roinson indicated that there could be an even larger J Class presence next year, while discussions are also underway for potential historic match-ups involving some of the most iconic yachts in the fleet.
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2026 closes another remarkable chapter in the history of one of sailing’s most distinctive events.
