The Bay of Cannes will once again host one of the most prestigious gatherings in world sailing with the opening of the 47th Régates Royales. More than 120 yachts are expected, making this edition the largest classic yacht regatta on the calendar and reaffirming its position as the highlight of the Mediterranean season.
The event has a history that stretches back to 1929, when King Christian X of Denmark, a keen yachtsman and skilled helmsman of his 6mJI Dana, lent his name to the competition at the request of the Société des Régates de Cannes. In the years that followed, crowned heads and the best naval architects of the day converged on Cannes each September to race. Although the regatta faded during the 1960s, it was successfully revived in 1978 by Jean-Pierre Odéro, and it has since become a fixture for classic yachts and international metric classes.
This year’s entry list reflects that legacy. Epoque Aurique and Epoque Classic monohulls will sail alongside IOR Classics, many of them recently restored, and the Modern Classic division. The metric classes will again be strongly represented, with 12mJI, 8mJI, 6mJI and 5.5mJI yachts on the start line, joined by the International Dragon Class. For the first time, the Tofinou 9.5 fleet will compete in Cannes, an elegant blend of modern design and classic style that is expected to be a highlight of the 2025 edition. Several yachts have travelled from as far as New Zealand, a sign of the enduring appeal of the Régates Royales.
Behind the scenes, Principal Race Officer Jérôme Nutte will once more oversee operations, coordinating three race areas and a team of more than 80 volunteers. “This year we have a particularly balanced field, with yachts of very similar rating and performance. Most carry rich histories and strong track records in the world’s greatest regattas, and the enthusiasm of their owners to come to Cannes underlines the reputation of the event,” he noted.
The Bay of Cannes offers a racecourse with unique qualities, sheltered by Cap Roux to the west and Cap d’Antibes to the east. Conditions can range from calm zephyrs to mistral-driven seas shaped by pressure systems over the Gulf of Genoa. Recent editions have benefitted from near-perfect weather, something the organisers hope will continue.
Jean-François Cutugno, president of the Yacht Club de Cannes, said: “After an exceptional summer where our young members claimed multiple national and world titles, it is now time for the Régates Royales, with the most beautiful traditional yachts in the world competing in our bay.”
The racing is only part of the attraction. Each evening the Regatta Village on the Quai Saint-Pierre will open to the public with concerts, entertainment and social events, ensuring that the atmosphere ashore is as festive as the action at sea.
Racing begins on Tuesday 23 September with the first starts scheduled for the early afternoon. Wednesday through Friday will feature full days of competition across all classes, with the fleet spread across three courses. Saturday 27 September will mark the final races, followed by the prize-giving ceremony on the quay in the evening. Each day, weather briefings will be delivered at dawn, setting the tone for crews preparing to face the conditions of the Mediterranean.
For more than 150 years, Cannes has been a natural home for yachting, from the first regattas of 1859 to the rebirth of 1978. The 47th Régates Royales will once again blend heritage and sport, bringing together a fleet of over 120 classics and confirming why this late-September tradition remains a jewel of the international sailing calendar.
