Spartan won. Just ask Alice!

Saint-Tropez 29th September 2016, Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy, USA’s flagged NYYC50 Spartan has won the 6th edition of the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy in an exciting photo-finish with 2014 winner Olympian, skippered by Bruno Troublé.

After 21 Race Days, 10 Practice Days, 8 Travel days, Les Voiles de St Tropez, which took place the 26^th September – 2^nd October brought the “SPARTAN 2016 Mediterranean Campaign” by Alice Widdows Regatta Management to a close. For her first time ever racing in St Tropez Spartan took victory with a 1^st in Class, came 1^st overall in The Centenary Trophy by Gstaad Yacht Club and was awarded the “Coup du Coeur”, the “crush boat” by The Yacht Club de France. An epic finish to her first Mediterranean Campaign and one we hope to be repeated.

What an exciting few months Alice has had following the PANERAI CLASSIC YACHT CHALLENGE(PCYC) and classic yacht regattas around the Mediterranean this summer providing Race Support, Yacht Management and Logistics to NY 50 Spartan’s first ever season in Europe. It’s been historic!

At 22 metres overall Spartan is the only remaining New York 50 Herreshoff of the 9 original ever built, immaculately restored to original specifications she took the podium at all events she attended this summer:

Les Voiles de St Tropez                                                  1^st in Class

Yacht Club du France Prize                                         “Coup du Coeur”

Centenary Trophy Gstaad Yacht Club                     1^st Overall

Régates Royales Cannes                                                2^nd in Class

Vele d’Epoca Imperia                                                     2^nd in Class

Copa del Rey de Barcos de Epoca Mahon              1^st in Class

Regata Illes Baleares Classics Palma                      1^st in Class

Regata Illes Baleares Classics Palma                      “Most Beautiful Yacht”

Challenge Match Race 15M J1 Class Palma              1^st

“Supporting Spartan’s Captain, Justin Burman, so that he could focus on the day to day smooth running of the yacht and crew has been critical to the success of the campaign.” said Alice, “With 31 days back-to-back racing & training plus delivering and 2 weeks cruising in between events it has been an intensive couple of months.”

Many races have been entered and sailed, challenges accepted, guns taken, crew lists written, sail inventories declared, berths secured, accommodation acquired, flights booked, airport transfers travelled, restaurant tables booked, ice bags delivered, wraps made, isotonic drinks consumed, problems solved, solutions found, rum cocktails made, fine wines drunk , Cuban cigars sourced… since the start of the campaign in August 2016.

With a race crew averaging 15 plus the chef, Spartan were a travelling team of between 16-20 including owners and guests when racing. Wives and Girlfriends flew in for the week in Cannes. Good tunes, oysters and rosé on the boat with their men after racing were a highpoint for the ladies as were long lunches on the Isle de Marguerite and day trips to Monaco and St Paul de Vence.

In between racing events the yacht cruised first the Balearics and then later the French Riviera with members of the owners’ families. Berthing and anchorages, restaurant and hotel bookings, day trips, flights, travel and transfers for the families were all taken care of by Alice Widdows Regatta Management.

“Alice Widdows Regatta Management made our transition to the Mediterranean racing circuit smooth and effortless. Following an early initial discussion with Captain and owner she understood our needs and our budget.  From sourcing villas and accommodations, to handling all our logistics and transportation needs, getting the yacht measured for CIM ratings and registering for all the regattas, to sourcing cooks and crew, to getting difficult berths in coveted harbors and the right table in the right restaurant at the right time she makes it all look so easy. Her daily reminders, via text, email and whatsapp, ensured every member of the team was where they needed to be.  

Our experience exceeded expectations and was, surprise surprise, under budget. She takes care of everything else so that owner, Captain and crew can focus on the sailing and enjoying the whole experience.”

Owner S/Y Spartan

Spartan in Saint Tropez – Photo – Juerg Kaufmann

For further information on how to work with Alice contact: