Classic yachts grace harbour

Grand Harbour Marina in Vittoriosa last week welcomed a fleet of 18 classic sailing boats taking part in the tenth edition of the annual regatta Trophée du Bailli de Suffren. The fleet set sail from Saint Tropez, south of France, sailed through Porto Rotondo, Sardegna and Pantalleria and finished off at the Grand Harbour Marina on Tuesday.

The participating yachts in the 580 mile, 12-day offshore race ranged in size between 11 and 64 metres. They dated from the 1914 classic Moonbeam IV through to the Atlantic, built last year.

Recognised as one of the most beautiful races in the Mediterranean, the race is reserved for classic yachts and was organised in collaboration with the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

“The Trophée du Bailli de Suffren is a great boat show and we are very proud to have hosted the final juncture of this exclusive classic yacht event,” Vittoriosa Marina manager Ben Stuart said.

“Our Grand Harbour Marina, with Malta’s mediaeval bastions as a natural backdrop, is the ideal berthing location for these amazing boats...”

The race was named after Pierre André de Suffren, an Admiral of the French Navy who came to Malta in 1748 to perform cruises with the Order’s galleys.