Centenarian Award
The Centenarian of the Year Award, organised by Classic Boat magazine and the Gstaad Yacht Club, was launched in 2017. Any boat of 100 years or more, which is still sailed in a largely authentic way, is eligible. The independent panel of judges is happy to consider any kind of sail boat, including cruising boats, race yachts and former work boats. Each boat should have achieved something significant in the past year, be it a long cruise, a race win, a major restoration or something else noteworthy.
Any owners or admirers of suitable centenarians are encouraged to send nominations to the Gstaad Yacht Club at [email protected]
You may view the 2023 Centenarian Award nominees HERE
The winner is announced at the annual Classic Boat Awards, held at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London in April and awarded with a Sterling Silver Cup, sponsored by Robbe & Berking Silver manufacturer. The cup is made in the Bauhaus style (1919-1933), embodies a straightforward simplicity expressed through precious material for streamlined, modern aesthetics.
Barbara
GSTAAD YACHT CLUB CENTENARIAN OF THE YEAR 2024
The 49ft 6in (15.1m) Camper & Nicholsons yawl Barbara has become a well-known sight on the classic Mediterranean yacht-racing circuit, particularly in her last nine years of ownership under Roberto Olivieri, who discovered her after 20 years mothballed and had her restored. He’s smitten by the yacht, as is captain Vincenzo Baccagni.
Dainty
GSTAAD YACHT CLUB CENTENARIAN OF THE YEAR 2023
Built in 1923, Dainty, the Solent Sunbeam Class is GYC Centenarian of the Year winner of the 2023 Classic Boat Awards edition.
Peter Nicholson, the guardian of Dainty (1923), has been sailing with the very first Sunbeam ever built, for the last 57 years.
FIREFLY
GSTAAD YACHT CLUB CENTENARIAN OF THE YEAR 2022
She is a Gaff Yawl dated from 1922, designed by Albert Strange (#119) and later modified by Harrison Butler to a Yawl Rig with her draught reduced for use on the Norfolk Broads (U.K.) as per the wish of her first owner, Robert Lamb. Firefly is easily spotted by her two masts one of which is the main one and the other is located aft of the rudder post. She has a red prominent four corner sail that gives away immediately her design author.
THALIA
GSTAAD YACHT CLUB CENTENARIAN OF THE YEAR 2021
Built in 1888 at the yards of George Wanhill in Poole, Doorset, Thalia, a seductive Gaff Cutter is GYC Centenarian of the Year winner of the 2021 Classic Boat Awards edition.
With her age, Thalia has a long history of captivating the hearts of true sailing devotees, such the one of her actual owner David Aisher since 2010.
GRETA
GSTAAD YACHT CLUB CENTENARIAN OF THE YEAR 2020
Built in 1892 at Brightlingsea, Greta, a fascinating Thames Sailing Barge became the Centenarian of the Year winner of the 2020 Classic Boat Awards edition.
The larger versions of Thames Sailing barges proved to be excellent vessels sailing in river waters and seawaters by delivering goods throughout the ports of England and Europe.
Once served as a commercial cargo barges, Greta was chartered in the World War II by the English Ministry of Supply in order to carry ammunition to naval vessels anchored at the Nore on the Thames estuary. Nowadays, Greta is a charter vessel, exhibiting her extremely versatile sprit sail as a unique and stylish trademark of her own.
PAST WINNERS
GSTAAD YACHT CLUB CENTENARIAN OF THE YEAR
From 2017 the Gstaad Yacht Club’s Award ties in with the centenarian theme and seeks to recognise yachts of this vintage that have achieved something special. Past winners are:
2023 – Dainty, owned by Peter Nicholson
2022 – Firefly, owned by the Clay family
2021 – Thalia, owned by David Aisher
2020 – Greta, owned by Steve Norris
2019 – Carlotta, CAN/UK owned by Michael P. Wright
2018 – Folly, ARG owned by German Frers
2017 – Jolie Brise, UK owned by Dauntsey’s School
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.”
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Nina Onezhskaya
Club Administration & Communications
Boat registrations, RSVP, guest list, accounting (back office)
