South of France to Malta race yachts due today

The eight classic boats taking part in the Bailiff of Suffren Trophy - a new classic yacht cruising race - are expected to arrive in Malta today, on the last leg of the race from Marsala.

The aim of the event is to link yachting with art, culture, tourism, creating an image of Malta in the south of France, and particularly Saint Tropez, with its cultural connections, according to Dominic Micallef, director of the Malta Tourism Authority Paris office.

Indeed, during the week-long build-up to the launch of the race, the jet-setting city of Saint Tropez was linked with Malta, draped in posters, banners and colours of the island in an original way of promoting it abroad.

The yachts took off from Saint Tropez on Tuesday, competing for the Trophée Bailli de Suffren, an award bearing the name of the French Knight and Vice-Admiral of the French fleet, who had himself originated from Saint Tropez.

The race, which is for traditional yachts in the Vintage, Classic and Spirit of Tradition categories, covers 530 nautical miles, with stops in Sardinia and Marsala. The yachts are berthing at Sliema Creek.

The event, the first of its kind, was organised by Henri-Christian Schroeder, Commodore of the Mare Nostrum Sailing Club, in collaboration with the Maltese Embassy in France, the Malta Tourism Authority, Air Malta and the mayor of Saint Tropez, Jean-Michel Couve.

The week-long series of events before the race, organised during the celebration of the local feast of St Tropez, was dedicated to Malta.

The events included an exhibition, Memories in Stone by Luciano Micallef, in the Salle Jean Despas in the heart of Saint Tropez. The inauguration of the exhibition by the Maltese ambassador to France, Salvino Busuttil, was preceded by the presentation of a DVD about Malta, Malte l`île artiste, in Saint Tropez`s main cinema.

The Knights of Malta were also actively involved in the event and set up an exhibition about their current philanthropic activities at the citadel of Saint Tropez, while a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the monument of the Bailiff of Suffren in the city centre.

Before their departure, Dr Couve hosted a gala dinner for the race participants, who are being taken on a tour of Valletta and the Three Cities in Malta.