Sunshine returned to Saint-Tropez on Friday as a steady easterly swept across the bay, delivering conditions that were as close to ideal as racing sailors could hope for. Across all 19 categories spanning the Maxi, Modern, and Traditional fleets, the pressure was unmistakable. With only one race day remaining, every tack now counts toward the final podiums.
Among the classics, the day produced some of the most visually striking moments of the regatta. Photographer Guilain Grenier, stepping ashore after a day on the water, captured the mood precisely. "This was the most beautiful day of Les Voiles," he said, having spent hours photographing Elena of London and the three-masted Atlantic duelling off La Sèche à l'Huile in perfect light and a steady breeze.
On the water, the stakes in the Rolex Trophy could hardly be tighter, with Cambria and Elena of London separated by just a single point. Spartan cemented her grip on the Big Racer division by taking a third consecutive win, and Kiwi Magic matched that run of form in the 12-metre class, reinforcing her standing as the standout among the Twelves. Battles remain unresolved in Epoque Marconi B, where Sonny and Dan continue to push each other hard, and in the Cruiser category, where Lelantina and Eugenia IV remain locked together. In IOR, Matrero and Il Moro di Venezia are deadlocked on points with everything still to play for.
The Maxis split their programme across two formats, with Classes 3 and 4 completing a pair of windward-leeward races while the other classes tackled an 18-mile coastal course. In Maxi 1, Ken Read's tactical sharpness helped Karel Komarek's Wallycento V open up a valuable points cushion in the Edmond de Rothschild Trophy standings. In Maxi GP, Django retains the overall lead but Vesper's win on Friday cut the advantage to a single point, setting up a thrilling showdown for Saturday. Yoru in Maxi 4 and Crazy Diamond in Maxi 5 both continued their faultless form, and in Maxi 3, Twin Soul B moved ahead of Lyra after winning both short-course races.
The Modern fleet threw up its share of drama. In IRC 0, neither the powerful Daguet nor Kilara II could convert their speed advantage on the coastal leg, leaving the door open for Vesper to claim victory. Zen's poor showing reshuffled the leaderboard, with Arkas Blue Moon now within striking distance of the lead. The Race Committee shortened courses across IRC 1 through to 5 to make the most of a subtle westerly breeze. A misread finish line cost the German Melges 32 Heat a disqualification, while Give Me 5, the Cape 31, seized the opportunity to win and draw level at the top of the class standings, though a protest review may yet affect the outcome. Pride, the Swan 44 that started it all for the Nioulargue, remains on track for overall glory in IRC 3, Zappys holds a five-point lead in IRC 1, and the JPK 1010 Expresso looks poised to defend her IRC 5 title.
One boat in the IRC 0 fleet has drawn particular attention throughout the week. Albator 3 is a 44-foot race boat designed by Botin Partners in 2021, bearing a striking resemblance to a TP52, right down to the red phoenix emblem on her hull. Owner Philippe is candid about the rarity of what he has. "There are only two of these boats in the world," he says. He bought Albator from Brazil after convincing an American owner to keep his, then faced the task of getting her from Santos to Saint-Tropez. "Getting her home from Santos to Saint-Tropez was a mission, but it's worth it to race her here," he says. Below decks, the boat is a web of hydraulic lines and hidden hardware, all tuned for performance. Boat captain Benoît Briand, a veteran of three America's Cups and a Jules Verne Trophy, is straightforward about what that means in practice. "Every kilo counts," he says. "She's light, responsive, and yes, very wet. We've got six bilge pumps to prove it!" Sitting sixth overall in IRC 0, Albator 3 has more than held her own against the TP52s she so closely resembles.
The 12-metre class produced some of the sharpest racing of the day, with Kiwi Magic leading South Australia and KZ5 in a tight three-way battle. France 1, a 1970 design steeped in America's Cup history, trails the leading group but remains a crowd favourite. French Kiss, marking her 40th anniversary this year, was sadly absent after suffering a broken mast at the Régates Royales in Cannes. Despite that setback, the class as a whole is in good health, with new owners emerging, restoration projects progressing, and plans taking shape for a structured Mediterranean circuit in 2026, including the Worlds in Imperia.
Racing for Maxi, Modern, and Classic yachts, including the Rolex Trophy, is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, with prize-giving for the Maxis to follow. The final prize-giving for Modern and Classic yachts, including the Rolex Trophy, takes place on Sunday, October 5.
