The majestic 26-metre classic schooner LELANTINA yacht was declared the overall winner of the 600-mile Camper and Nicholsons Trophee Bailli de Suffren at Camper and Nicholsons Grand Harbour Marina in Birgu, Malta. Dignitaries comprising the French Ambassador to Malta as well as the Mayor of Birgu made up an audience of more than 300 people, that also comprised owners, captains and crews of the most of the 23 classic sailing yachts that attended the twelfth edition of this race. They were joined by their friends and families, who were present to enjoy the celebrations.
Twelfth Edition of Camper and Nicholsons Trophee Bailli de Suffren© Kurt Arrigo / CAMPER & NICHOLSONS
“It was a great evening and imortant not just only for the yachts and their crews,” observed Ben Stuart of Grand Harbour Marina who has been instrumental in bringing the founders and lead sponsor Camper and Nicholsons together, “Yachting events of this calibre raise the international profile of Malta but also contribute to the economy by bringing visitors and creating demand for local services and supplies.”
Sailing Yacht Lelantina
The race takes its official name as well as its start and finish ports from the 18th century French admiral, Pierre André de Suffren de Saint-Tropez. Unofficially it is also known as the “The Mediterranean’s Most Beautiful Yacht Race”, not only because of the beauty of the classic sailing yachts participating, but also because of its unique racing ethos.
Trophee Bailli de Suffren 2013 - Image courtesy of Camper & Nicholsons
Uniquely the race is only for classic sailing vessels. This year’s fleet ranged from the 63 metre, 3-masted schooner charter yacht ATLANTIC to 30 metre cutter sailing yacht MOONBEAM III built in 1908 and 27 metre superyacht MARISKA built in 1908. For MARISKA this was her first ever offshore race.
