On Friday and Saturday, 5-6 August, car and sailing enthusiasts gathered in Gstaad for the 16th classic GYC Rally & Yachting event. An event that grows each year, and this one was no different. On the last day of registration, the organisers counted 33 cars, of which 31 found their way to the starting line!

On the evening of 5 August, the participants first met at the clubhouse of the Gstaad Automobile Club in Feutersoey to receive their welcome and briefings from the Commodore of the GYC, Manrico Iachia, and the President of the GAC, Stéphane Gutzwiller.

In the pouring rain, the pilots and co-pilots headed towards the Col du Pillon for the yachting event. The drivers and their cars defied the natural elements and drove up along the winding road that took them to Lac Retaud. Along the way, there was another night challenge; a road test, in addition to the Prix Wehren Friday Challenge.

At the lake, the GYC crew were ready for the “sailors”, the boats ready for the competitive yet friendly model boat night race. But due to very windy conditions, combined with heavy rain and lightning, the race committee decided against exposing the competitors and boats to the weather. The friends of the Hotel-Restaurant du Lac Retaud served aperitif and dinner to an appreciative crowd. The Prix Wehren prize for the driving test; an overnight stay with dinner at the Auberge d’Hermance on Lake Geneva, was won by Splinter Fangman and Cornelius Gerling in their 1985 Porsche 911, from the Yacht Club de Monaco.

Early next day, the drivers presented their cars, in front of the GYC clubhouse, on the lawn of Le Grand Bellevue, generously granted by the hotel. It was a great sight for all to see so many collectables lined up, side by side. After the traditional coffee and croissants in the GYC clubhouse, the engines finally roared, and the drivers headed for the starting line. The first part of the route finished up at Seebergsee restaurant. Some cars struggled to reach the top, but – as they are built to last half an eternity – no mountain would stop them (or their pilots!)

A team of mechanics from Garage Traber accompanied the cars throughout the day and proved extremely helpful in sorting out the few incidents. After Seebergsee, it was down towards the Diemtigtal, only to ascend to the Gurnigel, at an altitude of around 1600 metres.

Lunch at the historic Gasthof Weyersbühl, gave the drivers a chance to stretch their legs and boost morale and fill their stomachs! GYC and the participants were grateful to B.I. Collection for sponsoring the wonderful lunch in Weyersbühl. The final leg went through the Simmental and finished in Saanenmöser!

The winner of the 16th edition of the GYC Rally & Yachting was Guillaume Chauvet and his son Paul Chauvet, from Gstaad Automobile Club, in his 1991 Lancia Delta Integrale. They received the challenge cup and a VIP package from Edmiston for the Monaco Yacht Show. 
Second place was won by Timothy Müller (Gstaad Yacht Club) and co-pilot David Klopfenstein in a 1965 Autobianchi Bianchina. Third place was won by guests Ralf Huber and Max Huber, in a Ford Mustang, 1965. Each received pens from the Italian writing instruments brand Montegrappa. 

All three price winners furthermore were given a small gold-plated or silver-plated trophy from Robbe & Berking Silbermanufaktur.

A fair chance for all participants remained at the end with a raffle for a Chopard Mille Miglia Chronograph by GYC Corporate Partner BUCHERER 1888, the proceeds of which will go to the sailors of the GYC Racing Team, who were also successful this weekend. 

After such a successful event, the challenge is on for the GYC and GAC teams, who already have their eyes on the next edition. The 17th edition of the GYC Rally & Yachting is planned for August 4 and 5, 2023! 

U21 Gold medal for GYC Racing Team
The 49er Junior World Championship 2022 took place on Lake Como (IT) between 31 July and 7 August. 68 crews participated and were eager to fight for the podium. GYC was represented by the 49er sailors Joshua Richner and Nilo Schaerer, who sailed immaculately and finished with a gold medal in the U21 and in 7th position in the U23 category.

It was a great opportunity to compete against the best sailors from around the world and gather experience. Competing against such numbers and quality of sailors was a great accomplishment for Joshua and Nilo to finish in the top 10! The crew has trained hard and been dedicated, and the GYC is proud of their performance! We are already looking forward to the next challenge!

GSTAAD YACHT CLUB