Following the now-traditional “Swiss Night”—a festive evening celebrating Swiss culture on Wednesday at Place des Lices—it was time to return to competition on the water.
On Thursday, 18 centenarian yachts took part in the 14th edition of the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy, organized by the Gstaad Yacht Club in collaboration with the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez.
Held as part of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the regatta followed the popular pursuit race format and was sailed in a light easterly breeze. After completing a 9-nautical-mile course, Leonore claimed victory in her first-ever participation, succeeding last year’s winner, Oriole.
Olympian and Mariska completed the podium after a tightly contested race all the way to the finish line.
The 2025 Edition of the Centenary Trophy Lives Up to Expectations with 18 Magnificent Yachts on the Water
The 2025 edition of the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy delivered on all fronts, bringing together 18 splendid centenarian yachts for a spectacular race on the waters off Saint-Tropez. These exceptional vessels, true witnesses to the golden age of yachting—ranging from the ketch Sky (1890) to the Bermudian sloop Leonore (1925)—treated the crowds gathered along the Môle Jean Réveille to a stunning nautical display.
At 12:30 PM, Viola (1908) was the first to cross the start line opposite the Tour du Portalet, followed by each of the 18 participants in staggered starts. The fleet left the Rabiou and La Moutte marks to starboard, then rounded a red buoy positioned outside the Gulf of Saint-Tropez to port, before returning to the finish line, leaving the same two marks to port.
As with every edition since its inception in 2011, the Centenary Trophy was run under the pursuit race format, allowing yachts of varying ratings to compete on equal terms. Each boat starts at a specific time based on its handicap, with the goal of being the first to cross the finish line—making for a thrilling, real-time chase.
Leonore Charges Ahead to Victory
Starting 7th, Leonore gradually made her way through the fleet, overtaking competitors one by one. First to round the red buoy ahead of the P-Class yachts Olympian (1913) and Corinthian (1911), the 49-foot Q-Class yacht, designed by Norwegian naval architect Johan Anker and launched in 1925, held onto her lead in a strong tactical performance. Marking her debut at the Centenary Trophy, Leonore, celebrating her 100th anniversary this year, claimed a remarkable victory.
It was a tough race, but the conditions were ideal for our boat, which performs very well in light and shifting winds. We’re very happy—for the boat and the crew. We’re also thrilled to be here in Saint-Tropez and to have taken part in the Centenary Trophy.”
Skipper Mauro Pelaschier reflected on the win
Olympian Secures Second Place
A three-time winner of the Centenary Trophy (2014, 2019, 2021), Olympian was back for her tenth participation and finished second, having started in 13th position.Bruno Troublé shared his thoughts on the dock:
“We’ve won this trophy three times. We hoped for a fourth, but in the end, we finished second. Still, we’re very happy. My Italian friends won—they’re extremely good. I know Leonore well because I’ve raced against her many times with Jour de Fête. We were catching up, but not quite fast enough. It’s a fantastic event—I’ve taken part in nearly every edition.”
Skipper Mauro Pelaschier reflected on the win
A Vintage Year for the Centenary Trophy
Once again, 2025 proved to be a vintage year for the Centenary Trophy.
“The Centenary Trophy is known around the world and very popular with the public. It’s the flagship event of our club,” said Manrico Iachia, Commodore of the Gstaad Yacht Club. “We’re delighted to have welcomed 18 centenarian yachts from across the globe—particularly from the Mediterranean and the UK. We were especially pleased to see three yachts join the fleet for the first time: Leonore (1925), Black Swan (1899), and Cariad (1896). Next year, we expect more than 30 yachts to take part.”
Editor’s Notes
Gstaad Yacht Club
The Gstaad Yacht Club (GYC) was founded in 1998 by a group of sailing enthusiasts with the vision of creating “a unique, global yacht club off the water, instead of another local club on the water”. Located in the Swiss Alpes, and initially often met with astonishment, the Gstaad Yacht Club has developed into a club with 400 members from over 40 different countries and a place where members and their guests enjoy meeting. The annual events calendar hosts a variety of social, sport and sailing events organized by a passionate crew of three together with 10 volunteering Board and Committee members is organizing up to 90 event occasion days per year. The network of reciprocal clubs has extended over all continents.
The Gstaad Yacht Club supports sailing projects at all levels, from juniors to professional sailors, and has become a permanent fixture on the Swiss sailing scene, particularly in Olympic sailing and classic yachting.
Since 2011, topics relating to the protection of the oceans and waters as well as other themes relating to sustainability and the well-being of our environment have been an integral part of club life, enriched by collaborations and events such as with Sylvia Earle, the Blue Marine Foundation, IUCN Ocean Ambassador William Winram and the Gstaad Cultural Encounters.
Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez
Founded in 1862, the SNST has been organizing regattas for over 160 years. Legendary figures like Guy de Maupassant (1887) and Paul Signac (1897, President from 1908 to 1911) were early pioneers of French yachting and members of the club.
Affiliated with FFVoile and a partner of the Yacht Club de France, the SNST continues to evolve while honoring tradition.
With a passionate team of 15 board members, 3 permanent staff, 500 members, and many volunteers, the club organizes major events such as Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, Festival ArMeN, Dames de Saint-Tropez, Les Voiles d’Automne, Paprec 600 Saint-Tropez, and co-hosts the Loro Piana Giraglia in Saint-Tropez.
It also welcomes high-profile events including various World and European Championships, the Sail GP French stop since 2021, the 52 Super Series, the Nations Trophy with Club Swan Racing, and in 2025, a Dragon class regatta for the Marblehead Trophy.
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