Winner 2016

Spartan

USA’s flagged NYYC50 Spartan, dating from 1913, has won the 6th edition of the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy in an exciting photo-finish with 2014 winner Olympian. The regatta began with the 19 yachts and thanks to a good south-easterly wind of a dozen knots all the boats covered the 9-mile long course in less than two hours. Spartan, sailed by an American-Finnish crew and debuting in the Mediterranean circuit, was the first on the finish line, for just a few seconds, proving once more that the format is ideal for such a varied fleet and guarantee fair competition and great show. “Spartan was honoured to have been invited. It was absolute ideal conditions with flat water, firm breeze and a picturesque backdrop. As one of the last boats to start it was truly exhilarating to move forward through the fleet and manage a photo finish with one of our season rivals, Olympian. No question this is an event we will make sure to participate in the future.” said an elated Justin Burman, Captain of Spartan. He was echoed by the yacht’s owner, who declared: “This was one of my most enjoyable days on the water, I love pursuit racing!”

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.

Manrico G. Iachia, GYC Commodore, Gstaad Yacht Club

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.

Pierre Roinson - Président, Société Nautique Saint Tropez

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.

Tony Oller, Director of the Port of Saint-Tropez

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.”

Rob Peake, group editor, Classic Boat