Eighteen classic sailing yachts, participating in the Trophée Baille de Souffren, arrived in Malta from Saint Tropez on Monday evening, gracing the Grand Harbour marina and creating a breathtaking ambience.

The yachts, some even over 100 years old, leave today after completing the final leg of the race in Malta, stopping on their way at Porto Rotondo and Marsala.

The race, which is for traditional yachts in the Vintage, Classic and Spirit of Tradition categories, covers 580 nautical miles. It left St Tropez on June 26.

The Baille de Souffren, or Bailiff of Suffren, Trophy - a classic yacht cruising race - has been held for the past three years and bears the name of the French Knight and Vice-Admiral of the French fleet who had himself originated from Saint Tropez.

The event was originally organised to link yachting with art, culture and tourism, creating an image of Malta in the south of France and particularly Saint Tropez.

It is sponsored by the Malta Tourism Authority through the Maltese embassy in Paris and has the involvement and organisation of the Royal Malta Yacht Club, while Grand Harbour marina offered the berthing space.

The sailors on the "classic beauties" were hosted to a dinner by the MTA last night and will have a breakfast prize-giving at the yacht club. They are leaving in their own time and some are planning to take it easy and cruise around Malta before their departure.

RMYC vice-commodore Anton Valentino said the participants were "impressed by Vittoriosa and consider it to be one of the most beautiful ports in the Mediterranean. They were surprised that they had not heard of it before and some are staying on...

"The event is doing a lot of good for Malta's tourism industry," Mr Valentino said.