Les Voiles d’automne welcomes the First 31.7 to Saint-Tropez! Created in 1997 and open to yachts with an Osiris or IRC measurement certificate, the Autumn Sailing event in Saint-Tropez will take place from November 11 to 13, 2022.

This last regatta of the year in Saint-Tropez attracts competitors from the region and even beyond with sometimes more than sixty sailboats competing!

This year, the event welcomes the Mediterranean championship of the First 31.7 in crew and for the first time in solo!

“During the Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2022 on Jérôme Vandewalle’s First 31.7 Éden, we came up with the idea of grouping the 31.7s of the Mediterranean during the “Les Voiles d’Automne” regatta. The Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, through the intermediary of Pierre Roinson, Georges Korhel and Frédérique Fantino, immediately validated with enthusiasm the project to include a 31.7 one-design regatta within their regatta “Les Voiles d’Automne”: the story has begun. Dominique Lexa, President 31.7 Attitude and Jérôme Vandewalle, Vice President 31.7 Attitude.

As of October 20, 2022, forty-five sailboats are already registered for the event

The place, the conviviality on land and the organization at sea make it an event not to be missed this season. This year, the race committee led by Georges Korhel could, if the conditions allow it, make a night arrival on Friday, November 11 in order to prolong the races and spice up this already very sporting event! The regattas will start at 11am on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th November before the prize-giving ceremony at 5pm on Sunday. As for the festivities, the SNST will welcome about 300 crew members who will meet after the regattas for the traditional crew party. Another great competition to follow in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez!

The Mediterranean championship of the First 31.7 enters the race!

During the Voiles d’Automne, the 31.7 lattitude association had the idea to participate in the event. The President, Dominique Lexa and the Vice-President, Jérôme Vandewalle immediately received a favorable feedback from the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez and a great enthusiasm from the owners: “We were pleasantly surprised by the dynamism of the 31.7 owners: indeed, we received more than 20 requests for membership from owners in one week.

We are pleased to note that 13 entries have been received for the Mediterranean 31.7 One-Design Championship for “Les Voiles d’automne” in Saint-Tropez from November 11 to 13: a lucky number? We should exceed 15 entries.

Our association is very proud of this renewed dynamism to participate in this beautiful event and to promote one-design sailing in France.

We are preparing the 2023 season by considering regattas in Marseille, Hyères Porquerolles, Saint-Tropez and Antibes Mandelieu. The program will be unveiled on November 12 during our general meeting which will take place at the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez club.

Our priority is to meet the expectations of our members to obtain consistent participation fees on all regattas and discounted berths (1 week before and 1 week after) as the 31.7 fleet extends from La Grand Motte to Cannes.

We will also be the guarantors of the respect of the 31.7 rule for the durability and the evolution of our class.

The 31.7 one-design is experiencing a renaissance in the Mediterranean basin and we would like to thank all the 31.7 owners for coming.

A new board was formed within the association 31.7 Attitude: Dominique Lexa, president: 31.7 (sailboat Saguaï), Jérôme Vandewalle, vice-president: 31.7 (sailboat Éden), Tristan Gireud, treasurer: 31.7 (sailboat Reset), Jean Luc Arrighi, secretary: 31.7 (sailboat Tilapia), Guy Gorzerino, vice-secretary: 31.7 (sailboat Procyon).

Three days of races and a planned night arrival

Autumn in the Mediterranean generally offers more muscular conditions with a stronger wind. This is a real treat for participants who are eager for sensations and speed. With the possibility in the calendar of three days of racing this year, Georges Korhel’s idea is to offer a race with a night finish. “If the weather conditions allow it, we will launch a third longer race on Friday, November 11 after 5:00 pm with a night finish. But all this will depend, of course, on the weather, the competitors … “. For the moment, with 20 days to go before the event, nearly fifty boats have already registered. With a great line-up of boats, including some podium regulars, the competition promises to be tough!

Provisional program :

Thursday, November 10:

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Confirmation of registrations at the SNST

Friday, November 11:

10:45 VHF briefing on the water

11:00 a.m. Set up for 3 possible races 5:00 p.m. Closing of the line

11:00 p.m. Closing of line if big race

Saturday, November 12th

10:45 VHF briefing on the water

11:00 a.m. Availability for 3 possible races 5:00 p.m. closing of the line

5:00 p.m. Line closure

Evening of the crews

Sunday, November 13th

11:00 am Availability for 2 possible races

4:00 pm Line closure

5:00 p.m. Awards ceremony at the SNST