A high point for the classics

A high point for the classics

A word now about the 10th Centenary Trophy at Les Voiles, organised by the Gstaad Yacht Club that has become a major event not to be missed for the centenarian yachts (25 entrants). They enjoy a pursuit race on the Thursday. The boats cross the start line according to their an especially created handicap system, allowing very different boats in size and rig to compete on equal terms, with the first boat to cross the line off the breakwater to be declared the winner.

Over the years, the Centenary Trophy has become a high point for the classics. Several newcomers registered for the 2019 event, like the 8M IR Apache (1917) designed by Norwegian naval architect Johan Anker, renowned throughout the world as father of the Dragon. Also new to the race was the 1901 gaff sloop, Ester, designed by Gunnar Mellgren, which has a truly unusual renaissance story. In 2019 , after a real sailing duel, Olympian that year skippered by Guillaume Fetas, managed to take over Viola just five hundred metres from the finish, by hoisting the big spinnaker, getting the necessary extra speed to cross the line in first . Olympian thus became the second boat to have won the Centenary Trophy twice after the success in 2014, together with Tilly XV . “It was a super exciting race, one of the closest finishes in the history of the Centenary Trophy. Watching from close such an incredible display of racing skills and boat handling on these old yachts was just fantastic.” Declared the Gstaad Yacht Club’s Commodore, Manrico G. Iachia, looking forward to this year, as it will be an important milestone with the regatta celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Past winners
2011: Bonafide (1899) 2012: Marigold (1892) 2013: due to adverse weather conditions the title was not awarded 2014: Olympian (1913) 2015: Oriole (1905) 2016: Spartan (1913) 2017: Tilly XV (1912) 2019: Olympian (1913)

The next 10th edition will be Thursday, 1st October 2020.