History
The Race History
It seems like yesterday when in 2011 the Gstaad Yacht Club launched the regatta, unique in its genre, that is reserved to boats that are one hundred or more years old. Over the years, the Centenary trophy has gathered some of the most gorgeous and best performing classic yachts from the past century. The event, raced in a pursuit format with staggered starts, has been created and organized by the Gstaad Yacht Club since 2011. The Centenary Trophy features an especially created and constantly refined handicap system, allowing very different boats in size and rig to compete on equal terms, and its format has proved extremely attractive for the sailors and the public alike over the last 10 years.
Community
The Gstaad Yacht Club was founded in 1998 by a group of sailor enthusiasts with the vision to “create a unique global yacht club away from the waters, instead of another local club by the waters”. The GYC was regarded with astonishment in the beginning as a club in the mountains without water and meanwhile developed to a club with about 400 members from over 30 different countries. With sailing projects on all levels from juniors to professional sailors and the launch of the Centenary Trophy regatta in 2011 it has become a solid force on the Swiss sailing scene and for classic boats.
With more than 600 members and organizing fifteen events including the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez is one of the oldest clubs in France, its origins date back to 1862. Since 2015, the merger of sailing clubs of Saint-Tropez (formerly UST Sailing and SNST) helped to broaden the horizons. Located in two beautiful places, the Club includes several centers of nautical activities: Sailing competition, sailing school and Motor Yachting.
The mix of classic yachts with ultra-modern boats is the main feature of the “Les Voiles” and its true “brand” as are the festival and the many activities on land, wide open to the Tropezians and the public.
Since 2011 during “Les Voiles de Saint Tropez “ a new special challenge has been organized, on Thursday – Jour des Defis. Initiated by the GYC in cooperation with the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez the Centenary Trophy has been launched as a race for traditional boats aged 100 years and older.
The Centenary Trophy at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez each year is a celebration of yachting history that lives long in the memory for spectators and participants. To sail on these great old boats is a privilege, to watch them is unforgettable. With the Centenary Trophy, the Gstaad Yacht Club has created a showcase of some of the most important boats afloat.
“Tying in with the race, Classic Boat magazine is delighted to be partnering with the Gstaad Yacht Club for our Centenarian of the Year trophy, which we award annually to a boat that is now enjoying her second century under sail.”
The Trophy
The trophy itself, handed over by GYC Honorary President or Commodore each year is also older than 100 years and was made by Wakely and Wheeler of London in 1911 (exactly 100 years before the first regatta).
Award
Centenarian Award
As part of the Classic Boat Awards, the GYC has once again joined forces with the magazine for the Fourth Centenarian of the Year Trophy. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in London, after having been selected by an international jury of experts.
Links
Contact
Alberto Almeida
Nina Onezhskaya
Club Administration & Communications
Boat registrations, RSVP, guest list, accounting (back office)
