Persbericht - October, 2008
SUN, SEA, AND WIND DURING Les Voiles de Saint Tropez 2008
Gaastra sets the scene on water and on land
Amstelveen, 10 October 2008,
Last week the normally quiet town of Saint Tropez was once again dominated by "les voiles".
The wind-filled sails of nearly 300 yachts, from traditional to ultra-modern, brought the bay of Saint Tropez to life. At the end of the day the ships moored in the picturesque harbour and the masts could be seen above the rooftops. Thousands of visitors gazed in admiration at the highly-polished brass and gleaming wood of the yachts; an event enjoyed even by non-connoisseurs. The atmosphere was even more festive as a large proportion of visitors were dressed in the "Les Voiles de St. Tropez" clothing that Gaastra designs especially for this event each year.
Tradition
The history of the event goes back more than 25 years and started with a bet. Two sailors went for the ultimate test: which of the two had the fastest yacht. They decided to race each other from the harbour of St. Tropez toward a point in the sea named "La Niou Largue", and with "Club 55" on the beach of the French resort as the finish line. The loser did not have to pay too heavily: he would be buying lunch that day.
This history of the origin of the race can still be found in the character of the event. "Les Voiles de Saint Tropez" has more to do with the spirit of racing than any other yachting event.
Dress code
This year Gaastra once again designed a complete range of jackets, polo shirts, shorts, and accessories exclusively for Les Voiles de Saint Tropez. This is clearly visible in the Saint Tropez "street scene". The entire organisation and a large proportion of the participants and visitors kit themselves out in the eye-catching shirts and jackets every year, this time recognisable by the "08" on the back. It appears that Gaastra has become the dress code for Saint Tropez. "We have noticed that, because of our presence, this event is experiencing increasing name recognition among people from all corners of the globe," says Marc Kooiman, Commercial Director at Gaastra. "This benefits both the event and our brand. Visitors to the event return each year especially for our collection, although it also has to do with the atmosphere in Saint Tropez … It is a very special feeling that, as an international clothing brand, we can give a French event such a lift."
Mistral
Needless to say, the racing depends strongly on the weather. If there is not enough wind most of the yachts hardly move, but if the winds are too strong the organisers will not take any risk and do not hesitate to cancel the start. For instance, on the one-but-last day of the event the racing was cancelled because the well-known Mistral was blowing strongly. Unlike in other countries, responsibility for participation in the race does not lie with the participants but with the organisers. On Saturday the wind had dropped and the sun was high in the sky, which meant that the race could go ahead. For the last time this year the impressive fleet of the most varying traditional and modern yachts left the harbour. Whether you know very much or very little about sailing, this is a sight worth seeing. The fact that the ships are back just a few hours later does not affect the enjoyment in the least. "The social aspect of Les Voiles is nearly as important as the race itself," says Kooiman. Seeing and being seen, that's what it is all about for a large number of the participants. It doesn't really matter who is the fastest, but it does matter who has the most beautiful yacht.
Gaastra Prix d’Elegance
And every year, Gaastra awards the "Gaastra Prix d’Elegance" to the best-dressed yacht. A luxury picture frame containing a photograph of the ship in action, taken by renowned sailing photographer Franco Pace. Not only does the crew have to be well dressed, the coordination with the yacht, the elegance of the clothing, and the arrival in the harbour play a role in awarding the prize. The judges unanimously agreed that the new 44 metre Wally "Esense" was the winner. This ultra-modern sailing yacht, built by Italian Luca Bassani, had a "convoy" of smaller boats in its wake all week, filled with enthusiasts wanting to see the ship sail up close. With over 900 square metres of sale flapping in the wind and the spinnaker of over 1500 square metres, there was no modern ship on the water more imposing than the "Esense".
About Gaastra
Gaastra is an authentic brand with a rich history and heritage, a name that evokes images of sailing and water sports all over the world. Gaastra Sportswear stands for high-quality, functional sailing attire and rugged lifestyle sportswear with a maritime character. The collection comprises a complete and totally coordinated lifestyle concept that offers men, women, and children a complete clothing line. The Gaastra collection is very varied: from professional sailing outfits to co-ordinated sports and leisure clothing, with a comprehensive range of accessories and shoes.
Gaastra is part of the McGregor Fashion Group B.V., established in 1993. The McGregor Fashion Group B.V. is a European fashion house that focuses on the design, sourcing, marketing, distribution, and sale of men’s, women’s, and children’s brand name clothing in the higher market segment.
For further information please visit: www.gaastra.eu
