Winner 2018

TillyXV

A record edition for many different reasons: the highest number of entrants, the tough conditions on the racecourse, and the first boat to conquer the Trophy for the second time in a row in the history of the regatta. Sunny and blue skies but rough conditions indeed for such old beauties: 20 to 25 knots of wind and a swell of more than three metres. So much that only 9 brave crews out of the twenty-two entrants succeeded in finishing the 9 miles long coastal race. And if last year it was a question of a handful of seconds, this year German-flagged Tilly XV crossed the line with an advantage of several minutes, conquering her second victory in a row.

Showing incredible speed for her small size and a very strong performance from her skilled crew, with skipper Juerg Moessnang and owner Siegfried Rittler, on the reaching leg Tilly XV earned an unbeatable margin, keeping it until the finishing line, positioned just off the old harbour.

“It was a great day for us. Big waves, a lot of wind, it was very hard to sail. I’m a mountaineer, climbed the Himalayan peaks many times, and today sailing was a bit like climbing a 2,000 metres high mountain… But the most important thing is that I did it with my best sailing mates, our team is like a family.” said Siegfried Rittler, who has been owning and caring for Tilly XV for over 28 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.

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