MTA supports prestigious Bailli de Suffren yacht race

2015 marks the 14th anniversary from the launch of the prestigious yacht race Trophee Bailli de Suffren. Ever since its inception in 2002, the Malta Tourism Authority has always provided its support to this esteemed race which takes place in honour of the historical links between Malta and St. Tropez.

It is named after Pierre Andre de Suffren de Saint-Tropez, who was a vice admiral of the French fleet, but also a Knight of the Order of Saint John, who was given the title of Bailli de Suffren while stationed in Malta.

The race traditionally has a number of stops along the way, however Malta is always the final port of call at the end of the race. This year the Trophee Bailli de Suffren was split into three legs. The first leg took place from Saint-Tropez to Sardinia and the second leg was from Sardinia to Sicily, whilst the final leg featured the route from Sicily to Malta.

This year’s winner was ‘Lelantina’ which was captained by Patrick Gibert. ‘Lelantina’ triumphed over last year’s winner ‘Amadour’, with the award ceremony taking place at the historic Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa.

In 2012, the long-standing relations between Malta and St Tropez were further cemented after a twinning agreement was signed between the ports of St Tropez and that of Vittoriosa in Malta. This twinning agreement was viewed as important because it increases the visibility and awareness of Malta in this affluent part of France.

Prior to the race departure, Malta’s presence in Saint Tropez was promoted with a collective exhibition of Maltese artists being organised by the Association des Peintres et Sculpteurs de Saint-Tropez.

The French Artists’ Association invited photographer Kurt Arrigo and artists Caroline Navarro and James Vella Clark to be guests of honour at the Salon des Peintres et Sculpteurs de Saint-Tropez. The initiative was taken by the Malta Tourism Authority’s  Office in France and the Embassy of Malta in Paris, which submitted this project.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Vincent Camilleri, Maltese Ambassador to France, in the presence of Thierry Durand, MTA Marketing Manager for France, Jean-Pierre Tuveri, Mayor of Saint-Tropez and Celeste Benitte, President of the Association de Peintres et Scuplteurs de Saint-Tropez.

Gavin Gulia the MTA’s Chairman attended for the awards ceremony and delivered a speech. Amongst other salient points he said, “This prestigious off-shore regatta, which is one of Malta’s long-standing yachting events - is a tremendous asset for us when it comes to extending the reach of our efforts to market Malta - not only in France, but also amongst the international yachting fraternity. And for this we are deeply grateful to the organizers – ‘Camper and Nicholsons’, Grand Harbour Marina and to all the participants.

MTA CEO Paul Bugeja commented, “We are very pleased that such a prestigious yachting race takes place between a luxurious tourist destination such as Saint-Tropez and Malta, as it increases Malta’s visibility in such an affluent region in France. This is a great opportunity to showcase Malta’s varied and vast cultural offerings as well as to promote the various International events which take place in Malta and Gozo throughout the calendar year”.