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LES VOILES DE SAINT-TROPEZ<br />
28 – 6 OCTOBER 2013<br />
Formerly known as the Nioulargue, this is the culmination of<br />
the season for both classic and modern yachts alike.<br />
The history of the Nioulargue dates back to a<br />
casual bar room bet between two yachtsmen<br />
lunching at Club 55 on Pampelonne Beach<br />
in 1981. Three decades later the regatta<br />
endures as the most spectacular of the<br />
season. With low pressure taking hold in<br />
the Mediterranean,<br />
the weather fluctuated<br />
throughout the week,<br />
especially on the final<br />
day when <strong>Mariquita</strong><br />
was well placed for a<br />
top three finish in the<br />
general classification.<br />
The race was like a<br />
microcosm of the whole<br />
season, with <strong>Mariquita</strong><br />
battling away with Moonbeam IV for hour<br />
after hour. The drama came to a head as<br />
the yachts turned for home. Matty Oates<br />
described it like this: “On the last approach<br />
to Saint-Tropez there is a small dog leg,<br />
which the boats have to take, with a gate at<br />
the end. Sailing through the fleet, there were<br />
spectator boats everywhere. We were coming<br />
in on Moonbeam IV from weather and<br />
calling for water because we were about to<br />
hit the buoy. Moonbeam IV was calling for<br />
water because they were about to hit Seche<br />
rock.” Helmsman John<br />
Caulcutt continued the<br />
story, “To be in Saint-<br />
Tropez with <strong>Mariquita</strong><br />
on that last day of the<br />
season, with a forecast<br />
of 10-12 knots of<br />
breeze, and suddenly<br />
finding ourselves in<br />
25-30 knots with the<br />
big jackyard topsail up,<br />
totally over powered and the lee rail under.<br />
Memorable stuff for everyone who was on<br />
the water. What a way to end the season!<br />
Absolutely fantastic. We had a great day out<br />
on <strong>Mariquita</strong> and one I won’t ever forget.”<br />
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