Les Voiles d’Antibes regatta 2020 (September 16 – 20)

Besides having had to postpone the 25th edition from June until September due to COVID, Les Voiles d’Antibes last week also had to play with the whims of the weather. Unusual heat for this time of year meant a weak thermal breeze for the first two races and then a stormy development (with gusts of over 40 knots) for the last two races.

Despite these special conditions, the participating Classic Yachts, 51 in all, were all quite happy to celebrate, this event – their first reunion, for most in over a year now, and the pleasure of sailing competitively despite the conditions.  

The first day was a bit like sailing with a sore tooth with a weak and oscillating wind where only 3 Classes ended up classified. It was followed by a second day where swimming unfortunately had to give way to the race despite all the efforts of the Race Committee who had some trouble with the starting procedures.

From the 3rd day, the wind finally picked up and the Committee were able to organise a magnificent race sending the whole fleet out to tack off the Cap d’Antibes and reach the bay of Juan les Pins and Cannes Palm Beach for a festival of manoeuvres which made the tacticians just about as happy as they could be. On Sunday, with quite stormy conditions, the race started at 11:00 sharp but 2 hours after the start, heavy squalls and gusts reaching 40 knots forced the organization to cancel the contest for safety reasons.

Pete Townsend’s Eva with the Monaco YC’s 15-M Fife Tuiga behind

In the end, it was the 1909 Tuiga  (Big Boats), Chinook and Lulu (Vintage Gaff), Rowdy and One Wave (Vintage Bermudan), and then Crazy Life and Sagittarius (in Classics) which won this more than exceptional edition of the Voiles d’Antibes 2020.

On land, despite the restrictions imposed by the Prefecture and the cancellation of all live concerts, the Village of Les Voiles d’Antibes was the ideal meeting place with many exhibitors and partners, a selection of regional and international artists and bars, where we were able to apply distancing. The atmosphere was friendly and attractive with a new found respect for barrier gestures that impressed the organizers and the authorities who were present, proving that the crews and the public were able to attend this type of event in a state of complete health safety.

In view of the current situation, Les Voiles d´Antibes has succeeded in their somewhat daring gamble of making people forget the anxiety-provoking climate around themselves this year and despite all the complications, we were able to offer the crews and spectators an unusual and stunning event. See results below.

From Yann Joannon, Organiser.

Main photo: Corinthian (Herrshoff, left) and Olympian (Wm Gardner, right) cross in the windy conditions. Click to enlarge photos.

The winning crew of Tuiga

Boats in port

It’s not often you get lightning as a backdrop to yacht racing

Socially distanced classic sailors gathering for the love of their boats in Antibes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re here! A very French response to the pandemic perhaps

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See more complete results and other news at  www.voilesdantibes.com

 2020’s special TROPHIES

 Trophée TEAM WORK PAR HILL ROBINSON:  VIOLA

Trophée SPECIAL DES VOILES D’ANTIBES: SARDONYX à Monsieur Niall Robinson

 The 26th edition of Les Voiles d’Antibes will take place (hopefully) from 2nd to 6th June 2021