“A highly satisfying moment for both the organisers and the sailors, everyone involved was delighted to have been able to round off the sailing season with such flair…”

The pretty cruisers from the Latitude yard were bunched into one group at Les Voiles with the Code Zero, Code 1 and Wally Nano boats. The latter, a Hoek design named Nostronimo, normally based on Lake Léman, outpaced the Tofinous led by Patrice Riboud’s Pitch, who likely regrets retiring in Monday’s breezy conditions. Bernard Giroux’s Team 42 outsmarted Christophe Delachaux’s Black Legend to take third overall.

Participating officially for the second time at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez (FR), the Wally Nano Nostromino owned by Sir Andrew Cook, member of the Gstaad Yacht Club, skippered by the Danish triple Olympic medallist Jesper Bank, brought the winning trophy in the IRC F boat category to Switzerland.

The class victory is an outstanding accomplishment, considering that Nostromino’s crew managed to overtake boats with far more experience in the Saint-Tropez seashore. Sir Andrew Cook: “A remarkable achievement – I am very proud of Jesper, Anthony and the team.” Nostromino’s remaining team members accounted with Dutch boat builder Joop Doomernik, GYC members Christian Hauswirth together with Robert Boo and Bertrand Geiser, trimmer from Lake Léman. Joop Domernik said “all went well at the sea and on land. We hope that other Wally Nano join us next year.”

Nostromino had already augured excellent performances at the 2019 edition of the Bol D’Or Mirabaud and has now confirmed in the South of France that winning is within her genetic code.

Having in mind this globally delicate moment, that ultimately led to the cancellation of the Centenary Trophy regatta, Nostromino’s victory has a special meaning, elevating the GYC burgee to the podium at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2020.

The GYC and its board congratulate Sir Andrew Cook, Nostromino and all her crew members for such and exceptional victory at a highly demanding competitive level.

In his closing speech Mr Pierre Roinson, president of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, remembered how difficult it was to organise the event: “Launching this 22nd edition was a massive challenge. I’d like to thank all the owners and skippers for trusting in us. Everyone is delighted to have been able to get out sailing. It’s important to realise that for a great many competitors, the race season began and ended with Les Voiles!”

GSTAAD YACHT CLUB