The Camper & Nicholsons Marinas’ Mediterranean flagship marina at Grand Harbour in Malta is to sponsor, with the Malta Tourism Authority, the, annual classic yacht race, the Trophée Bailli de Suffren. In its 11th year and with circa twenty stunning classic yachts racing from Saint Tropez to Malta from the 23rd June, this is set to be a superb event and Grand Harbour Marina will welcome competitors when they arrive in Malta at the beginning of July.
Reserved solely for classic yachts, the Trophée Bailli de Suffren is recognized as one of the most beautiful races to watch in the Mediterranean. On the 23rd June 2012, these stunning yachts will set sail on their 580-mile journey from the South of France to Malta with stops in Sardinia and Sicily. 12 days later, once all entrants have arrived at their destination, in Malta, they will enjoy a gala dinner to celebrate. As well as the dinner at the marina, under the Fort St. Angelo, there will be time to take in the island’s historic sites.
As operators of Grand Harbour Marina, Camper & Nicholsons have hosted the finale from the events inception and will now become its official sponsor for the upcoming five years. Ben Stuart, General Manager at the marina commented, “The Trophee Bailli de Suffren is an exceptional event on the Mediterranean yachting calendar and given the classic yachts involved, it is very fitting that the name of Camper & Nicholsons, with its history in yachting dating from 1782, now becomes official sponsors of the event.”
Camper & Nicholsons is one of the oldest names in yachting with a history that includes the building of classic yachts such as the J-class Velsheda, being involved in an event such as this further strengthens these links and their interest in global yachting. The Trophée Bailli de Suffren also highlights the interesting historical connection between Malta and France with the race named after Pierre André de Suffren, a French Navy Admiral who came to Malta in 1748.