A stunning fleet of 22 classic yachts will soon grace Grand Harbour with their grand, white sails as the vintage beauties race to make it to the finish line under Fort St Angelo.

The yachts left St Tropez on Saturday on the first leg of the 2013 Camper & Nicholsons Trophée Bailli de Suffren, a race over three legs and 600 miles that will see the first yachts sailing into Grand Harbour on Monday.

This unique event celebrates the historic links between St Tropez and Vittoriosa, which were further strengthened with the twinning of the two in 2012.

Named after Pierre André de Suffren de Saint-Tropez, who spent his early career in Malta where he received the title of Bailli de Suffren from the Knights of St John, this year’s race features the most impressive fleet ever assembled for an offshore race in the Mediterranean.

Giant schooners Atlantic and Elena are competing with famous classic yachts as Lelantina, Mariska and the 1903-built Moonbeam III. The yachts are racing to Porto Rotondo in Sardinia and then to Trapani in Sicily, before the final leg.

On the morning of the race a special Mass was held for the Knights of Malta by the Curé of St Tropez Michael Hayes, with members of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem.

For more information visit www.bdsrace.com or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TropheeBailliDeSuffren.