Saint-Tropez once again vibrated to the rhythm of century-old yachts. On Thursday, October 2, 2025, as part of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, eighteen sailboats built over a century ago competed in the 14th edition of the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy.
Organized by the Gstaad Yacht Club in collaboration with the Saint-Tropez Nautical Society, the regatta was contested over a nine nautical mile course in a light easterly breeze. At the finish, Leonore, a 1925 Q Class, won in its first participation, ahead of Olympian et Mariska.
The Pursuit Race, a unique regatta in the world
The uniqueness of the Centenary Trophy lies in its format: the Pursuit RaceEach sailboat starts in a staggered manner, depending on its rating, with a clear objective: to cross the finish line first. An equation of fairness that allows units of all sizes to compete on an equal footing, from the ketch Sky from 1890 to the sloop Leonore of 1925.
Slender silhouettes, slender rigging, wooden hulls with reflections weathered by time: the yachts engaged are not simple boats, but living pieces of maritime history. This year again, the public gathered on the Jean Réveille Pier was able to admire a real nautical ballet, punctuated by the successive passage of the 18 competitors on the starting line facing the Portalet Tower.
The event had started the day before with the traditional Swiss Night On the Place des Lices, a friendly gathering celebrating Switzerland and marking the festive kickoff of this very special trophy. But from Thursday noon, the time for earthly celebrations was no longer there. At exactly 12:30 p.m., Purple (1908) set off first from the starting line marked out in front of the Portalet Tower, followed successively by the other competitors in the order defined by their rating.
Leonore's first victory
Seventh to leave the starting line, Leonore quickly set the tone. Carried by ideal conditions for its sail plan, the Bermudan sloop gradually moved up the fleet. First to round the red buoy anchored outside the gulf, it then maintained its lead over its pursuers. After a steady and controlled comeback, it crossed the finish line in first place, thus taking victory in its first appearance in the event. Behind it, the P-Class Olympian (1913) et Corinthian (1911) tried to hang on, but the Norwegian centenarian was heading for victory.
Built in 1925 to designs by Norwegian naval architect Johan Anker, Leonore celebrated its hundredth anniversary this year. A powerful symbol for a sailboat that had never before taken part in the Saint-Tropez regatta. Its skipper, the Italian Mauro Pelashier, showed his satisfaction on his return to the pontoon: “ It was difficult, but the conditions were ideal for our boat, which is very fast in light, shifty winds. We are very happy, for the boat and the crew. We are also very happy to be here in Saint-Tropez and to have participated in the Centenary Trophy. »
Behind him, Olympian took second place. A three-time winner of the event in 2014, 2019 and 2021, he was hoping to secure a fourth victory. We've won this Trophy three times. We were hoping for a fourth, but in the end, we finished second. Despite everything, we're very happy. My Italian friends won. They're extremely good. Leonore is a boat I know well because I've raced against her a lot with Jour de Fête. We caught up with them, but not enough. It's a fantastic event, which I love. ", told Bruno Troubled, skipper ofOlympian. Third place went to Mariska, another regular on the Mediterranean catwalks.
Upon arrival at the pontoon, his skipper Mauro Pelashier did not hide his emotion: " It was difficult, but the conditions were ideal for our boat, which is very fast in light, shifty winds. We are very happy, for the boat and for the crew. Participating in this regatta in Saint-Tropez is a privilege, and winning it is a huge joy. »
The 2025 edition will be marked by the arrival of three newcomers to the fleet: Leonore (1925) Black Swan (1899) et Love (1896). For Manrico Iachia, Commodore of the Gstaad Yacht Club, the results are very positive: “ The Centenary Trophy is our club's flagship event. It is known worldwide and very popular with the public. We are delighted to have brought together 18 centenary boats from the Mediterranean and England. Next year, we expect to have more than 30. »
Living heritage
Beyond the competition, the Centenary Trophy embodies the transmission and preservation of a unique maritime heritage. Each yacht tells a story, sometimes centuries old, that its owners and crews passionately perpetuate.
For Bruno Troublé, skipper ofOlympian, the attachment to the event is evident: “ I've participated in almost every edition. It's a fantastic event, which I love. We were hoping for a fourth victory, but seeing my Italian friends from Leonore win is a great satisfaction. »
Le Gstaad Yacht Club, founded in 1998 in the Swiss Alps, has established its uniqueness: a yacht club far from the sea, but connected to the whole world. With its 400 members from more than 40 countries and its strong commitment to classic sailing and environmental sustainability, the GYC has become a recognized player in the international nautical landscape, and maintains a network of reciprocal clubs on all continents and organizes up to 90 days of events per year. With a group of passionate sailors led by Manrico Iachia, Italian sailor and former America's Cup competitor, the Gstaad Yacht Club is bringing a bold idea to fruition: creating a yacht club... in the mountains.
Its mission, stated from the outset, is clear: “ To create a unique and global yacht club, far from the water, and not just another local yacht club near the sea. »
The GYC supports the Swiss sailing, from junior level to Olympic competition, and is involved in the preservation of the classic yachting with the creation, in 2011, of the now famous Centenary Trophy in Saint-Tropez. Also involved in environmental issues, he collaborated with Sylvia earle, Blue Marine Foundation or, William Winram, ambassador of theIUCN for the oceans.
What initially seemed like an eccentricity, a yacht club without access to the sea, has become a success: a meeting place and a place for transmitting maritime culture, anchored in the Alps but facing the oceans of the entire world.
About the Saint-Tropez Nautical Society (SNST), founded in 1862, it is one of the oldest sailing clubs in the Mediterranean. From its beginnings, it attracted prominent figures: the writer Guy de Maupassant sailed there in 1887, while the painter Paul Signac, passionate about yachting, became its president between 1908 and 1911.
Affiliated with the FFVoile and allied to the Yacht Club of France, the SNST has never ceased to combine respect for tradition and openness to modernity. With a team of 500 members, numerous volunteers and a permanent core of professionals, it organizes major nautical events every year such as The Voiles of Saint-Tropez, a flagship event for classic and modern sailing, The ArMeN Festival, The Ladies of Saint-Tropez, The Autumn Sails, Ocean racing Paprec 600 Saint-TropezThe club also hosts major international competitions, including the French leg of the Sail GP since 2021, as well as the 52 Super SeriesIn 2025, he will organize the Marblehead Trophy Dragons.
More than just a regatta organizer, the SNST is a true guardian of the Saint-Tropez spirit: a blend of conviviality, sporting passion and respect for the sea, which makes Saint-Tropez an essential place on the world nautical calendar.
Together, the two clubs give the Centenary Trophy a special resonance, where the elegance of century-old yachts blends with contemporary sporting demands.
In fourteen editions, the Centenary Trophy has already crowned legendary boats, Bonafide in 2011 to Oriole in 2024, passing through Spartan, Tilly XV, Kismet and of course Olympian. The entrance of Leonore in this prestigious circle adds a new chapter to this unique story, where the elegance of century-old yachts meets the intensity of competition. The date is already set for the 15th edition, in 2026, where the spectacle promises to be even more grandiose with a fleet set to expand.
With three new arrivals this year, Leonore (1925) Black Swan (1899) et Love (1896), the fleet was enriched with emblematic units. For Manrico Iachia, Commodore of the Gstaad Yacht Club, the edition was already a success: " The Centenary Trophy is our club's flagship event, known worldwide and very popular with the public. We are delighted to have welcomed 18 boats this year and hope to have more than 30 for the 15th edition. »
As the sun set over the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, the crews were able to savor a rare moment: sailing in elegance and camaraderie, where the beauty of vintage lines blends with sporting emotion. The Centenary Trophy, more than ever, remains a vibrant celebration of classic yachting.
Patrick Koune
Photos: © Juerg Kaufmann for GYC
