The fifth edition of the Gstaad Yacht Club's Centenary Trophy will be
filed in the archives under a tag: challenging. The fifteen one hundred
years and more old yachts that went go head-to-head in a pursuit race
based on a special handicap system, were in fact faced with extremely
challenging conditions, with an easterly wind well above 20 knots,
gusting over 25 and an especially tough sea state. Not the easiest
setting for the delicate centenarians that, nonetheless, proved to be
strong, seaworthy and responsive in the hands of their experienced
crews.
Despite the conditions veering to the extreme, a shining sun and bright
daylight enabled GYC's official photographer Juerg Kaufmann to take
stunning pictures that also will be used for a long time to come.
At the end of a demanding and tough race, NYYC 30 Oriole
(1905) crossed the line just off the St Tropez's breakwater in first,
thus winning the 5th edition of the of the Gstaad Yacht Club at her
fourth attempt. "Since its inception, we always considered a great
idea to gather the centenarians during the Voiles de Saint Tropez with
the Centenary Trophy, offering them an original race format. I believe
the pursuit race concept is interesting, motivating and enjoyable for
the crew. Oriole has always taken part and, despite being in the top
scorers, we have never been able to win it. A victory was among our
goals for the 2015 season." declared owner Jean-Pierre Lostis, adding:
"But to win you need the right weather conditions, and this year they
were just perfect for us, you need to avoid making too many mistakes but
mostly to push hard from start to finish. We did not start that well,
we had some issues hoisting the jib and we crossed the line 3 minutes
late. Yet, we soon caught up with the boats in front. Upwind and in
strong air Oriole is fast and does not beat too much in the big waves of
the gulf of St Tropez. We were leading since the first mark but, as it
goes, we noticed the faster boats approaching and namely Olympian, the
2014 winner. After the last upwind mark, a long downwind leg was waiting
for us. We decided not to hoist the spinnaker but we were fast,
pointing right to the mark while the others had to do several gibes. On
the last stretch to the finish we realized that Olympian was not in a
position to catch us, if we made no mistakes. The crew remained focussed
and we made it! We are very proud to have won this prestigious trophy
and we wish to thank the Gstaad Yacht Club for organizing the regatta
with such energy and passion."
"What a joy! To win, yes, but mostly to have pushed Oriole at her maximum, this old American 110 years old lady we all are in love with! She sure deserved this victory, thank you Oriole." added Francis Van de Velde who together with Lostis and the rest of the crew, were awarded with the exclusive trophy created by Wakely and Wheeler of London in 1911.
"What a joy! To win, yes, but mostly to have pushed Oriole at her maximum, this old American 110 years old lady we all are in love with! She sure deserved this victory, thank you Oriole." added Francis Van de Velde who together with Lostis and the rest of the crew, were awarded with the exclusive trophy created by Wakely and Wheeler of London in 1911.
Second on the finishing line the''P'' class (a smaller version of the 1930s America's Cup J class yachts) Olympian (1913) skippered by France's Bruno Troublé, that could not make a double after last year's victory.
Mignon,
one of the last surviving International 7-Metre class, launched in 1912
and designed by famous Norwegian architect Johan Anker got the bronze. "It
was Mignon's debut at the Centenary Trophy, and I think the regatta is
an excellent idea. The handicap system is great and I particularly like
the staggered start because there is less danger on the line, no risk of
collisions at the start. Also, you always know where you are on the
course and you can try to catch up. Yes, I like the format." declared her owner and skipper Corentin Thiercelin. "At
times the boat was pounding da bit, but this happened the day before
and the day after too, so no big issue and then we like wind better so
it was ok. Mignon is 16,50 metres long so she is not too small. It was
fun!"
Past winners of the Centenary Trophy
2011: Bonafide (1899)
2012: Marigold (1892)
2013: due to adverse weather conditions the race could not be sailed and the title was not awarded
2014: Olympian (1913)
2015: Oriole (1905)
2011: Bonafide (1899)
2012: Marigold (1892)
2013: due to adverse weather conditions the race could not be sailed and the title was not awarded
2014: Olympian (1913)
2015: Oriole (1905)
The Centenary Trophy is organized by The Gstaad Yacht Club in co-operation with the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez.
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