Perfect conditions capped a successful and enjoyable regatta for the near 300-strong fleet competing in this year’s Voiles de St Tropez. At Sunday’s prize-giving, the 12m Ikra added to her bulging trophy cabinet by not only winning the Grand Classiques class, but by pipping the favourite, the slippery Herreshoff-designed Rowdy, to claim the Rolex Trophy (awarded since ’06 for classics over 16m on deck). After a couple of minor errors on the final day, including a jump start, Rowdy missed out on a hat trick of Rolex Trophies, but still handsomely topped their class above The Blue Peter. For the long list of results in all classes see www.societe-nautique-saint-tropez.fr

Going into the last day of the regatta, the 100ft Indio held a narrow one-point lead over J One and two points over Magic Carpet. No pressure as I joined her then for the last race then! In fact, you could feel the tension onboard, not least because this was owner Andrea Recordati’s first competitive season racing his very Italian white and black machine, but like the other owner-drivers in the 12 strong Wally fleet – the largest gathering for the season – he really wanted to win.
But it was a polished performance and the exemplary crew work from the spread of pros onboard that helped Indio take second over the line (and corrected) to Y3K, pipping her closest rivals to seal the week. The picture shows owner Recordati celebrating having been thrown into the drink in front of the throngs of admiring spectators.

 There were a few bumps, bruises and a dismasting, but all in all this was a very successful regatta that perfectly combined the glitz of modern race boats with the glamour of some of the planet’s most beautiful classics, berthed in a stunning location.