Friday, September 26: The Régates Royales live up to their name!

At lunchtime, the Cannes “fan” kicked in, and the race committees were able to start the races in a south-southwesterly breeze that quickly picked up to 15-20 knots or more offshore. It was another magical day. The Dragons, 5.5 MJI, and 12 MJI wrapped up their week. Tomorrow, Saturday, is the end of the ball!

Local sailors call this steady trade wind “the Ponant.” This gentle wind blows between 190 and 210 degrees on the compass, creating short, choppy waves as it comes in from the open sea. It's a dream for any regatta competitor. The three race courses provided an exceptional spectacle. It began at the pontoon, when the crew of the Fife Viola, as always, put on a show after the morning briefing in front of the captivated crews and under the spellbound gaze of Asian tourists visiting the crowded village. The Viola crew wanted to pay a final tribute to their friend Yvon Rautureau, who had died suddenly just before the Régates Royales, an event he had not missed for years. Viola, whose cockpit was strewn with bouquets of purple flowers, of course, left the Quai Saint-Pierre alone to applause, then the fleet headed for the port exit to reach the starting area, escorted by the SNSM lifeboat. Just before that, we came across the living memory of the Royales, Gilles Mallet. He knows everyone, and everyone knows him. And for good reason!  

Known as “Gillou” to his friends, with his long hair and Gallic moustache, he is competing in his 38th Royales. He has sailed on all types of boats and in all positions, and is simply unbeatable. This year, he is aboard the largest sailboat in the fleet, Cambria (K4), a 33.80-meter 23 MJI designed by Fife with 770 m² of sail area, built in 1928 and based in Cannes. Never one to be short of a joke, he has returned to what he calls the “ashtray,” the space where the navigator and tactician work.

Finally, Taittinger champagnes, created in 1932, are now one of the partners of the Régates Royales. Vincent Halphen, regional sales director, present in Cannes, passionate about sailing, and who sailed dinghies for many years in his youth, discovers this unique event. "I am delighted and charmed. The Régates Royales are totally in line with what we appreciate: the virtuous and eco-friendly aspect, the preservation of heritage, not to mention the beauty of these sublime sailboats, which are true works of art..." In addition, initiated by Taittinger, Philanthropic ArsNova is an endowment fund that promotes art in particular. “The Taittinger family, which has been at the helm of the company for nearly a century, is constantly striving for excellence,” Pierre⁠-⁠Emmanuel Taittinger likes to say. A commitment he has embodied for 40 years and now shares with his son Clovis and daughter Vitalie as part of the management team. Rumor has it that the 2025 vintage is in the same vein as the 47th Régates Royales!

47th Régates Royales de Cannes: All results here: manage2sail.com

47th Régates Royales de Cannes: Institutional partners: AFYT Association Française des Yachts de Tradition, Cannes Sports, Département 06, FFVoile, Région Sud, Ville de Cannes, Yacht Club de Cannes. Official partners: HighField, Hôtel Carlton Cannes, IGY Marinas – Vieux Port de Cannes, Marinepool, Palais des Festivals, Champagne Taittinger. Technical partners: DAB Boissons, Hôtel Palm Beach Cannes, ICOM France, Key4events, SNSM Société Nationale Sauvetage en Mer, Trans Côte d’Azur. Media partners: Cannes Radio, France TV.

Royalty-free photos for the press: Didier Ravon/YCC (credit required)

Key information:

- Dates: September 21-27, 2025

- Website: www.regatesroyales.net

- Press office: yccommunication@gmail.com