On Thursday, 1st October, the most beautiful centenarian yachts will gather in the bay of Saint-Tropez for the 15th edition of the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy. Held as part of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, this unique regatta has become, over the years, an unmissable event for yachts over one hundred years old. Created by the Gstaad Yacht Club and co-organised with the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, the Centenary Trophy has, for fifteen years, celebrated the elegance, maritime heritage and sporting spirit of classic sailing.

Before taking to the water, Swiss traditions will take centre stage. On Wednesday, 30 September, the Gstaad Yacht Club will open the festivities with the 4th edition of the « Swiss Night », held on the Place des Lices.

Centenarian yachts return for a truly unique regatta

Since its creation in 2011, the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy has held a special place in the programme of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Reserved for yachts over one hundred years old, the race shines a light on exceptional sailing yachts, true witnesses to the golden age of yacht design and craftsmanship.

The pursuit-race format is what makes the Centenary Trophy so distinctive. Starts are staggered according to each yacht’s rating, allowing the fleet, in theory, to come together in the final stages of the race. This spectacular and intense format gives crews the opportunity to sail in close contact with the entire fleet before a highly contested finish off Saint-Tropez, at the foot of the Tour du Portalet. The first yacht to cross the finish line wins the Centenary Trophy.

Celebrating the 15th edition of the Centenary Trophy is a great source of pride for the Gstaad Yacht Club. For fifteen years, this unique regatta has kept the history of classic sailing alive by bringing together exceptional centenarian yachts and passionate crews in Saint-Tropez. This anniversary is also an opportunity to warmly thank the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez for its trust, hospitality and invaluable partnership, which allow the Centenary Trophy to continue writing its remarkable story,”

said Daniel Heine, Sailing Officer of the Gstaad Yacht Club​

Swiss Night: Switzerland comes to Saint-Tropez

Before the sails are hoisted, it will be time for conviviality. On Wednesday, 30 September, the Gstaad Yacht Club will open the celebrations with the 4th edition of the Swiss Night, held on the Place des Lices. For one evening, Switzerland will take over the heart of Saint-Tropez, offering crews and their guests a taste of its traditions and way of life. The programme will include alpine specialities, a cow-milking contest and the unmissable ski race. A warm and festive atmosphere guaranteed.

Further information and a gallery of beautiful photographs from previous editions can be found on the Centenary Trophy website: https://gyccentenarytrophy.com

Notes to Editors:

Gstaad Yacht Club

The Gstaad Yacht Club was founded in 1998 by a group of passionate sailors with the mission to “create a unique global yacht club away from the water, rather than another local yacht club by the sea”. Located in the Swiss Alps and initially met with some surprise, the Gstaad Yacht Club has grown into a club of 400 members from more than 40 different countries and a place where members and their guests enjoy coming together. Its reciprocal club network now extends across all continents. The annual events calendar includes a wide variety of social, sporting and sailing events, organised by a dedicated team of three, together with ten volunteer members of the Board and Committee, who organise up to 90 event days each year.

The GYC supports sailing projects at every level, from juniors to professional sailors, and has become an important player in Swiss sailing, particularly in Olympic sailing and classic yachting.

Since 2011, topics relating to the protection of oceans and waters, as well as other sustainability and environmental well-being themes, have become an integral part of Club life, enriched by collaborations and events with figures and organisations such as 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 Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez has been organising nautical events for more than 160 years. Some of its members have left an enduring mark, including Guy de Maupassant in 1887 and Paul Signac in 1897, President of the SNST from 1908 to 1911, who were among the pioneers of French yachting. Affiliated with the FFVoile and an allied club of the Yacht Club de France, the SNST has continued to grow with the guiding principle of remaining open to modernity and innovation while respecting tradition.

Supported by a passionate team, including 15 members of the Board of Directors, three permanent staff, 500 members and many volunteers, the Club organises major events such as Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the Festival ArMeN, Les Dames de Saint-Tropez, Les Voiles d’Automne and the Mediterranean offshore race Paprec 600 Saint-Tropez. It also co-organises events such as the Loro Piana Giraglia in Saint-Tropez. The Club regularly hosts exceptional international events, including TP52, Swan and Dragon regattas, the French stage of SailGP and, in 2026, the Cape 31 World Championship.

The Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez was the challenger club for the French team in the 2024 America’s Cup and will again hold this role for the 2027 America’s Cup in Naples.

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