| The Mistral Returns to Delight the Les Voiles Classic Fleet for Les Voiles Fleet |
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 It doesn't get much better than the conditions off Saint-Tropez today - sailors and photographers live for days such as this, with 25-30 knots of wind, sunny skies and a fleet of the most beautiful sailing yachts in the world. After a week of extremes: too much wind or too little, the competitors were delighted to awaken to a fresh breeze that, for the classic division, continued to build throughout the day.Many of the yachts revel in these conditions, so it was no surprise that only a handful of boats chose to remain in port. Among those was the largest gaff cutter afloat, the stunning 46-meter (152'), Lulworth. Re-launched and sailing in its' first regatta this past June, the plan has been to take it easy and not push the boat the first season. The 16-nautical mile course provided a fair amount of off-the-wind sailing. With the northwest wind breezing from the head of the bay, the race committee set an offset windward mark a short distance up the bay. Though it only required one tack out to fetch - the mark served to keep the yachts from running back down through the race course during subsequent starts. From there is was a reach to the gate at De la Seiche and on to a mark at Les Issambres; the fleet gybed onto port carried on a fast reach to Le Verhuge, and then on the wind to pass La Moutte to port, through the gate at La Ribou and back to the finish off la Tour du Portalet in the city. Given the conditions today, the fleet sported various sail configurations to maximize speed and get safely around the course. Many were single or double-reefed, while a few went with a jib-and-jigger (mizzen) setup. Others, such a Lelantina and So Fong, are stoutly built and perfectly suited for the conditions with all sails flying. Lelantina sped off the start line along with the gaff-cutter Bona Fide. Originally built in 1899, Bona Fide had a complete restoration in Porto Santo Stefano in 2003 and has been turning heads ever since with her simple lines and quick speed. The next start was for the Epoque Marconi class - EMC and EMD - and it was tight racing up to the top mark, with Tamara IX and the Herreshoff-designed NY40 Rowdy rounding a boat length apart with class leader, Cholita in hot pursuit. With the playing field clear of yachts, the Epoque Gaff class - EAA - took the stage in ideal conditions for allowing the big boats to really power along. In addition to Lulworth, Tuiga and Mariquita were also missing from the race course. With no need to be over the start line early, Mariette, Moonbeam IV, and Eleonora came to the line just a few minutes late, but at full speed on starboard tack. The Fife schooner, Altair, was early for the start at the committee boat end and chose to tack around, but was soon charging across the line, with Sunshine behind. Eleonora overstood the layline which gave Altair all the room she needed - with Moonbeam and Eleornora crossing tacks, she slipped by to leeward and rounded ahead. Once around the windward mark, the big boats eased sheets and poured on the speed and all the crews were kept busy adding sails - staysails and flying or outer jibs for all, a fisherman on Mariette, and on Altair the time was right for both a topsail and fisherman. The fleet made relatively short work of the 16 mile course, but as the bigger boats caught up with the classes ahead there were some nail-biting maneuvers and close crossings. At the finish line, there was a festive air as spectators lined the beach and were several deep along the port wall. In the end it was up to the tacticians who put it all on the line to call the final tack to the finish. Altair was third over the line, but corrected out on handicap to win for the day in Epoque Gaff class A (EAA), with Mariette, and Moonbeam IV behind. In Epoque Gaff class B (EAB), the NY 40 Marilee added another win to her scoreline for the week. In Epoque Gaff C (EAC), the dark-hulled S&S schooner So Fong finished 1st, edging out rival Lelantina. In Epoque Marconi A (EMA), it was a battle of the Fife's as the 28 metre ketch, Sumurun, finished ahead of Belle Adventure and Mariella. The conditions on the classics course, on the bay of Saint-Tropez and along the nearby coast were windier than that experienced by the modern division racing off Pampelonne beach and out around La Niourlargue. Despite the testing conditions though, the Voiles fleet fared well. Several spinnakers and headsails were blown out, and one of the 9.5 meter Tofinu's was dismasted, but most all of the fleet returned to port intact, a testament to the competiors' skills and the impeccably maintained yachts. The 115' schooner, Mari-Cha IV beat Morning Glory today, topping out at over 26 knots of boat speed on the way. New this year, the Trophée Rolex, will be awarded to the "Tradition" division sailing yacht of more than 16 metres, which has the lowest score for the regatta, including racing on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday only (not Thursday). There are 52 boats eligible for the Trophée Rolex - the winner will also receive a steel Rolex Submariner timepiece. The award will be announced at Sunday's prizegiving ceremony from 1100 at the Citadelle. Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez in brief : 8th edition - Created in 1999 as a replacement for La Nioulargue (1981- 1995) Modern division, 155 entries Tradition division, 111 (Rolex Trophy, 52) Spirit of Tradition division: 21 Related Items:
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