The Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy celebrates its 15th anniversary in Saint-Tropez

Press Release, Monday 21 September 2026

 

Ten days to go until the 15^th edition of the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy

 

The countdown has begun for the centenarian yachts. In ten days’ time, on Thursday 1st October, twenty exceptional yachts will gather in Saint-Tropez for the 15th edition of the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy, held as part of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Two new centenarians, Hallowe’en and Marilee, will this year enter the very select circle of yachts eligible to take part in this regatta, which is unique in the world.

On Wednesday, 30th September, the 4th edition of the Swiss Night will bring the Place des Lices to life. Alpine specialities, a cow-milking contest and the unmissable ski race: for one evening, Switzerland will take over the heart of Saint-Tropez. A memorable atmosphere guaranteed.

Since 2011, the Gstaad Yacht Club has organised the Centenary Trophy in collaboration with the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez. Raced each Thursday on the traditional challenge day of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the event has become an unmissable fixture for yachts of one hundred years and older.

The Centenary Trophy is raced in the spectacular pursuit-race format. The yachts start at staggered intervals according to their rating, with the slowest setting off first. The first boat to cross the finish line, set in front of the Tour du Portalet, is declared the winner. This principle allows yachts of very different sizes and rigs to race on equal terms, while guaranteeing suspense right to the final metres.

“This 15th edition marks an important milestone in the history of the Centenary Trophy. The Gstaad Yacht Club is particularly proud to organise, alongside the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, an event that has become a highlight for centenarian yachts. Since its creation, this regatta has celebrated their beauty, their history and the exceptional skill of the crews who keep them sailing. Seeing these magnificent yachts gathered each year in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez is a unique spectacle and a great source of pride for our Club”, says Manrico Iachia, Commodore of the Gstaad Yacht Club.

Two new centenarians

Built in 1926, Hallowe’en and Marilee, which celebrate their centenary this year, will take part in the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy for the first time.

Designed by William Fife III and built by the celebrated William Fife & Son yard in Fairlie, Scotland, Hallowe’en is a 24.75-metre Bermudan cutter. In Saint-Tropez she will join several other yachts from the board of the Scottish designer, among them Dione, Kismet, Silhouette, Sumurun and Tuiga.

Marilee was designed by Nathanael Greene Herreshoff and built in 1926 by the American yard Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. This 19.80-metre NY40 is also about to join the fleet of centenarians.

Leonore defends her title

Winner in 2025 on her very first appearance, Leonore (1925) will return to defend her title. Designed by the Norwegian naval architect Johan Anker, this 15-metre Q-Class will be aiming to make it two in a row.

She will line up against two of the event’s most successful yachts. Winner in 2015 and 2024, Oriole (1905) will be chasing a third success. A triple winner in 2014, 2019 and 2021, the Class P Olympian (1913) will be looking to add her name to the roll of honour for a fourth time.

“What a pleasure to be back at this regatta. With three wins already to her name, Olympian is now aiming for a fourth. The format is as simple as it is thrilling: the first to cross the line wins. The whole crew is ready to defend our chances”, says Philippe Oddo, owner of Olympian.

Twenty centenarian yachts expected

Alongside Hallowe’en, Marilee, Leonore, Olympian and Oriole, fifteen further yachts are expected on the start line: Black Swan (1899), Cariad (1896), Chips (1913), Corinthian (1911), Dione (1912), Joyant (1911), Kismet (1898), Lulu (1897), Nin (1913), Silhouette (1910), Sky (1890), Sumurun (1914), Thea (1918), Tuiga (1909) and Veronique (1907).

This exceptional fleet, made up of yachts built between 1890 and 1926, once again promises a majestic spectacle in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

Swiss Night: a Swiss breeze over Saint-Tropez

Before the spectacle on the water, it will be time to celebrate. On Wednesday, 30 September, the Gstaad Yacht Club will welcome competitors and guests to the traditional Swiss Night, held on the Place des Lices.

The programme will include a tasting of alpine specialities, a cow-milking contest and the unmissable ski race. A warm and festive atmosphere guaranteed.

 

Further information and a gallery of beautiful photographs from previous editions can be found on the Centenary Trophy website: https://gyccentenarytrophy.com

 

Winners of the Centenary Trophy:

2011 : Bonafide (1899)

2012 : Marigold (1892)

2013 : Due to unfavourable weather conditions, the race could not take place and the trophy was not awarded.

2014: Olympian (1913)

2015: Oriole (1905)

2016: Spartan (1913)

2017: Tilly XV (1912)

2018: Tilly XV (1912)

2019 : Olympian (1913)

2021: Olympian (1913)

2022 : Kismet (1898)

2023 : Spartan (1913)

2024 : Oriole (1905)

2025 : Leonore (1925)

  

 

Notes to Editors:

Gstaad Yacht Club

The Gstaad Yacht Club was founded in 1998 by a group of passionate sailors with the mission to “create a unique global yacht club away from the water, rather than another local yacht club by the sea”. Located in the Swiss Alps and initially met with some surprise, the Gstaad Yacht Club has grown into a club of 400 members from more than 40 different countries and a place where members and their guests enjoy coming together. Its reciprocal club network now extends across all continents. The annual events calendar includes a wide variety of social, sporting and sailing events, organised by a dedicated team of three, together with ten volunteer members of the Board and Committee, who organise up to 90 event days each year.

The GYC supports sailing projects at every level, from juniors to professional sailors, and has become an important player in Swiss sailing, particularly in Olympic sailing and classic yachting.

Since 2011, topics relating to the protection of oceans and waters, as well as other sustainability and environmental well-being themes, have become an integral part of Club life, enriched by collaborations and events with figures and organisations such as Sylvia Earle, the Blue Marine Foundation, IUCN Ocean Ambassador William Winram and the Gstaad Cultural Encounters.

Notes to Editors:

Gstaad Yacht Club

The Gstaad Yacht Club was founded in 1998 by a group of passionate sailors with the mission to “create a unique global yacht club away from the water, rather than another local yacht club by the sea”. Located in the Swiss Alps and initially met with some surprise, the Gstaad Yacht Club has grown into a club of 400 members from more than 40 different countries and a place where members and their guests enjoy coming together. Its reciprocal club network now extends across all continents. The annual events calendar includes a wide variety of social, sporting and sailing events, organised by a dedicated team of three, together with ten volunteer members of the Board and Committee, who organise up to 90 event days each year.
The GYC supports sailing projects at every level, from juniors to professional sailors, and has become an important player in Swiss sailing, particularly in Olympic sailing and classic yachting.
Since 2011, topics relating to the protection of oceans and waters, as well as other sustainability and environmental well-being themes, have become an integral part of Club life, enriched by collaborations and events with figures and organisations such as Sylvia Earle, the Blue Marine Foundation, IUCN Ocean Ambassador William Winram and the Gstaad Cultural Encounters.

Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez

Founded in 1862, the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez has been organising nautical events for more than 160 years. Some of its members have left an enduring mark, including Guy de Maupassant in 1887 and Paul Signac in 1897, President of the SNST from 1908 to 1911, who were among the pioneers of French yachting. Affiliated with the FFVoile and an allied club of the Yacht Club de France, the SNST has continued to grow with the guiding principle of remaining open to modernity and innovation while respecting tradition. Supported by a passionate team, including 15 members of the Board of Directors, three permanent staff, 500 members and many volunteers, the Club organises major events such as Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the Festival ArMeN, Les Dames de Saint-Tropez, Les Voiles d’Automne and the Mediterranean offshore race Paprec 600 Saint-Tropez. It also co-organises events such as the Loro Piana Giraglia in Saint-Tropez. The Club regularly hosts exceptional international events, including TP52, Swan and Dragon regattas, the French stage of SailGP and, in 2026, the Cape 31 World Championship. The Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez was the challenger club for the French team in the 2024 America’s Cup and will again hold this role for the 2027 America’s Cup in Naples.

Press Contact:

Soazig Gueho
– Mobile +33 6 62 08 75 44
– Email: soazig@palolemcom.com

Photographer: Jürg Kaufmann
– Email: juerg@go4image.com
– Copyright: Jürg Kaufmann / Gstaad Yacht Club

Event Website: http://www.gyccentenarytrophy.com

Sailing Officer: Daniel Heine

Managing Director: Cindy Schoenrich
Administration & Events: Nina Onzehskaya / Alberto Almeida

Email: events@gstaadyachtclub.com

Tel: +41 33 748 0190 www.gstaadyachtclub.com