Press Release, Thursday, July 9, 2026
The organizers of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, whose 28thth edition will take place from September 26 to October 4, draws on a proven track record that emphasizes a constant attention to detail. Each year, the teams at the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, led by President Pierre Roinson, raise the bar for event organization to offer crews exceptional racing conditions and hospitality, both on land and on the water. This involves intensive preparatory work, carried out in collaboration with the event’s partners and in consultation with the City of Saint-Tropez.
More varied courses, enhanced safety
Organizing about twenty starts each day for a fleet of more than 250 boats ranging from 10 to 50 meters in length—from stalwart century-old vessels to brand-new maxis, including the latest-generation prototypes— that is the daily challenge facing Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Three race committees, supported by some 70 “volunteers,” strive to improve their organization year after year, as Principal Race Officer Georges Kohrel explains for the 2026 edition: “We’re going to deploy several additional geodynamic buoys to vary the courses. Our goal is to no longer run out-and-back courses where the fleets cross paths, but to always have a third mark to round.”
This safety requirement has also led to a change in the position of the starting lines for the Maxis in Pampelonne Bay; they will no longer be in the middle of the banana-shaped course but on the outside. The sporting aspect is also a key concern: “From now on,the courses will only be announced on the morning of the race to account for weather conditions as closely as possible, and we’ll make sure to extend the legs if necessary to make the regattas more intense,” adds Georges Kohrel. This request was made in particular by the Modern class, whose largest boats, the IRC 0s, are once again competing this year for the BMW Trophy.
P Class Yachts Take Center Stage for the 20th Anniversary of the Rolex Trophy
Since 2006, the Rolex Trophy has annually honored a category of traditional sailing yachts, selected by a committee, thereby highlighting a class of yachts and offering a broad overview of yachting history.
To mark its 20th anniversary, the prestigious Rolex Trophy will be awarded this year for the first time to the best P-Class yacht—these elegant gaff-rigged cutters measuring approximately 16 meters, designed according to Nathanaël Herreshoff’s universal measurement system. Already in the running in 2024—as they were part of the award-winning Gaff-Rigged Vintage category that year—the P Class boats were narrowly beaten by the 10 mJI Marga, skippered by Torben Graël.
Spectacular and formidable sailboats in light to moderate winds, yet equally at home in the breezes that often sweep across the Gulf of Saint-Tropez in late September, all P Class yachts were built in the early20th century on the East Coast of the United States. Four of them will once again gather in Saint-Tropez. Joyant, the last to be restored in Camden, Maine, will go head-to-head with Chips, Corinthian, and Olympian. One thing is certain: one of these four formidable contenders will add its name to the list of winners of the highly coveted Rolex Trophy.
Maxis: A Natural Fit for Les Voiles
They are an integral part of the history of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, having been recognized as a class in their own right at La Nioulargue since 1983. The Maxis, whose owners—led by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, then president of the association founded in 1979—compete in high-level regattas in Pampelonne Bay and delight visitors strolling along the quays of the old port in the evening with their majestic presence.
This shared loyalty between this exceptional class and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez has made Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez one of the world’s largest gatherings of Maxis today. “Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez holds a very special place in the hearts of Maxi owners. Coming to race in Saint-Tropez is a treat, and it’s the best way to wrap up the season,” confirms Maurits van Oranje-Nassau, the new IMA president appointed last September to succeed Benoît de Froidmont. Van Oranje-Nassau, who is also the owner-skipper of the Wally 80 “Sud, ” will compete in Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez—the fifth and final race of the 2026 season, which counts toward the IMA Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge
And just like last year, the top Maxi 1 at the end of the week will be awarded the prestigious Edmond de Rothschild Trophy, presented by shipowner Ariane de Rothschild, who today carries on the legendary Gitana legacy.
2026 Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Program
Saturday, September 26: Registration Confirmation
Sunday, September 27: Registration confirmation
: Results of the Yacht Club de France Fall Cup (Cannes–Saint-Tropez)
Monday, September 28: Regattas for the Maxis and Moderns
Tuesday, September 29: Maxi, Modern, and Classic Regattas, including the Rolex Trophy
Wednesday, September 30: Regattas for the Modern and Classic classes—
, including the Rolex Trophy
; Day Off for the Maxis; Club 55 Maxi Yachts Cup
Thursday, October 1: Club 55 Cup, Gstaad Yacht Club Centenarians’ Trophy (staggered starts), Challenge Day, and for Modern and Classic boats, the “
” Regattas for Maxis
Friday, October 2: Maxi, Modern, and Classic Regattas, including the Rolex Trophy
Saturday, October 3: Maxi, Modern, and Classic regattas, including the Rolex Trophy,
Awards ceremony for the Maxi class, including the Edmond de Rothschild Trophy,
Awards ceremony for the Rolex Trophy
Sunday, October 4: Awards ceremony for the Modern and Classic categories, including the BMW Trophy and special trophies.
PARTNERS OF LES VOILES DE SAINT-TROPEZ
Major Partner
ROLEX
Premium Partners
, BMW
, EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD
Preferred Partners
, WALLY
, SUZUKI MARINE
, BRIG
Associated Partners
, VSC CORPORATE RECOVERY CONSULTING,
, PORT DES MARINES DE COGOLIN,
, NORTH SAILS
Vendors:
MERCANTOUR EVENTS
BYBLOS
PEPINIERE DU GOLFE
CHAMPAGNE BARONS DE ROTHSCHILD
CHATEAU SAINT-MAUR CRU CLASSE
MAITRES VIGNERONS DE LA PRESQU’ILE DE SAINT-TROPEZ
Institutional Partners of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
CITY OF SAINT-TROPEZ
PORT OF SAINT-TROPEZ
SAINT-TROPEZ TOURISM
ESPRIT VILLAGE IN SAINT-TROPEZ
FRENCH SAILING FEDERATION
YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE
INTERNATIONAL MAXI ASSOCIATION
INTERNATIONAL MEDITERRANEAN COMMITTEE
Organization:
Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, President: Pierre Roinson
Chief Race Officer: Georges Korhel
Registration: Frédérique Fantino
Marine Safety: Gilles Doyen
Logistics and Supplies: Alice Coquant
Communications and External Relations: Chloé de Brouwer
Editorial: Pierre-Marie Bourguinat
Websites: www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr; www.societe-nautique-saint-tropez.fr
Facebook: Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Official
X (formerly Twitter): @VoilesSTOrg
Instagram: les_voiles_de_saint_tropez
Video: Guilain Grenier, Images 6 G Production/SNST
Photo credit, mandatory attribution: SNST/Gilles Martin-Raget
Press Relations: Maguelonne Turcat
