A fine first day of racing this Friday, May 8, 2026, for the one hundred and fifty or so Dames de Saint-Tropez crew aboard the seventeen classic yachts taking part.
After the skippers’ briefing at the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez and instructions from race committee president Alice Coquant, the crews raced along a coastal course in the bay of Tropez.
Sunny skies and light airs were the order of the day, which was just the ticket for the rest of the race, as there are still two days of racing to go before the final prize-giving ceremony late Sunday afternoon.
Divided into 2 groups, “Dames Epoque” and “Dames Classique”, One Wave helmed by Alexia Barrier (DE) and Maria Giovanna helmed by Sylvie Godquin are currently leading the way in their respective categories (DC).
Tomorrow, Saturday May 9, the regatta kicks off at around 11am from Saint Tropez.
From Thursday May 7, the crew met in the old port of Saint-Tropez. Some of the boats practiced in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, before gathering for a welcome aperitif at the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez. The President of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, Pierre Roinson, thanked the women sailors for honouring this not-to-be-missed event. “L’oréal Groupe has joined us in this adventure by becoming the partner of this event, which celebrates the sportiness, charm and elegance of classic yachts and regatta boats”.
Alexia Barrier on One Wave
“There are 100% women’s events, but with this format on classic yachts, it’s unique in the world”.
I’m delighted to be in Saint-Tropez, the last time I was here was in 2022 for the Dames de Saint-Tropez. Very happy! I think it’s important to do 100% women’s regattas and to have the chance to sail on classic boats, it’s unique and especially in Saint-Tropez, the most beautiful bay on the planet! We’re really lucky! I’m aboard William Borel’s 6mJi One Wave as I was in 2022, and it’s really a boat I love, because it’s still maneuverable even though it’s a classic boat – it moves forward in light airs. On the other hand, if we see waves during the three days, we can suffer, but that’s the game!
I arrived this morning for the Briefing and I’m really touched by all the testimonials from the women who have been following our adventure (The Famous Project – the first 100% women’s crew to complete this non-stop round-the-world voyage, with a women’s reference time of 57 days 21 hours and 20 minutes!
and who thank me, my team and our partners. We’ve tried to shake up our sport by having more women represented at the highest level.
It’s clear that there aren’t enough women skippers in all the races, whether amateur or professional, and not enough women owners, so I invite you ladies, if you don’t dare, to let go, go sailing, form groups with your friends to train!
There are 100% women’s events, but with this format on classic sailboats, it’s unique in the world! And it’s special because these boats are both robust and fragile. So to give women confidence on these boats, to have owners let us steer and maneuver them, is proof that we’re just as capable as the men.
A remarkable line-up to delight the eyes
In the mythical old port of Saint-Tropez and on the starting line of the regattas, we will find the regulars of this event; MARIA GIOVANNA from 1969, the most faithful (it will be her 12th participation) and several times winner of the Ladies’ race, as well as the faithful and formidable crews such as the doyen of the fleet: LULU from 1897(who had to cancel her participation at the last minute) or RATAFIA from 1962.
Also among the favourites will be the 1929 ketch BELLE AVENTURE, the 1955 Bermuda cutter ARGYNNE3, the 1965 Yawl HERMITAGE, the 1913 8MT NIN, the 1950 6mJI ONE WAVE, the 1935 cutter IRENE VIII, THEA, a 1918 21m sloop, SERENADE of 1938, ANDALE of 1951 and BRISEIS of 1931.
Newcomers to the race will add even more spice and color to the event: the Bermuda sloops JOSEPHINE from 1959, MOONSPRAY from 1962, the 8mT RHEA from 1940, ROI D’YS from 1965, SUZETTE from 1930…
Note that this regatta is part of the AFYT (Association Française des Yachts de Tradition) calendar.
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For 115 years, L’Oréal, the world leader in beauty, has been dedicated to a single vocation: meeting the beauty aspirations of consumers worldwide. Our raison d’être, to create beauty that moves the world forward, defines our vision of beauty as essential, inclusive, ethical, generous and responsible. With a portfolio of 40 international brands and ambitious social and environmental commitments set out in our L’Oréal for the Future program, we offer our consumers around the world the very best in beauty in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, sincerity and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in its infinite diversity.
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More information on https://www.loreal.com/fr/mediaroom
Schedule :
Thursday, May 7, 2026:
– 9:00 am to 6:00 pm: Confirmation of registrations at the Club House of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez
– 7:30 pm: Welcome cocktail
Friday, May 8, 2026:
– 9:30 a.m.: Mandatory briefing for the skipper at Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez
– 12pm: Pick-up at the start area
-6:30 p.m.: boule competition Place des Lices
Saturday, May 9, 2026:
– 11 a.m.: Pick-up at the start area
– 8:00 pm: Crew party
Sunday, May 10, 2026:
– 11 a.m.: Pick-up at the start area
– 5pm: Prize-giving ceremony at the Club House of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez
Photos ©GillesMartinRaget/SNST
Videos ©GuilainGrenier/SNST
Press contact: Chloé de Brouwer / Société Nautique Saint-Tropez
