Porquerolle's Classic

Fifty-three varnished hulls in the Hyères roadstead: Porquerolle's Classic returns June 4–7, 2026

Thirteen point two nautical miles around an island battered by cliff backwinds, century-old gaff-rigged yawls lined up against finely tuned 12m JI racers, and a record time to beat of 1h 56min: that's the equation some 53 crews will need to solve at the 23rd edition of Porquerolle's Classic.

From June 4 to 7, 2026, the Yacht Club de Porquerolles once again hosts what has established itself as one of the major fixtures of classic yachting in the Mediterranean. Three days of coastal racing and constructed courses in the Hyères roadstead, scored under IRC handicap, where victory often comes down to seconds on corrected time.

Over two decades of Fife heritage

It all began in 2003, to celebrate the centenary of Moonbeam of Fife, the gaff yawl launched from the Scottish yard in Fairlie. What was meant to be a one-off tribute became an institution. The race now features on the official calendar of the Association Française des Yachts de Tradition (AFYT), perpetuating the spirit of "Old Rigs" while embracing modern competitive standards.

The Trophée Moonbeam, awarded on the final day, remains the living symbol of that lineage. For Aurélie Lhuillier, director of the Yacht Club de Porquerolles, each edition embodies "professionalism and conviviality"—the twin pillars of a club that has made welcoming these "cathedrals of canvas" its signature.

Day-by-day schedule

The event slots in just after the Antibes regattas, offering a natural continuation for international crews working the Mediterranean circuit.

Find the full calendar on spencer.club.

The island circuit, ultimate test

The format alternates technical "banana" courses in the roadstead with coastal races. But the showpiece is the lap of Porquerolles: 13.2 nautical miles where every tack matters.

The cliffs create treacherous wind shadows. Local effects reshuffle the deck at every headland. The course record, 1h 56min, belongs to the 12m JI Kiwi Magic—a benchmark that shows what the fleet can deliver when the mistral or thermal breeze cooperates.

Adopting IRC handicap ensures sporting fairness between radically different designs: a 1908 Fife can mathematically beat a modern racer. That's the beauty of this regatta.

Boats to watch

The 2026 fleet should number around 53 entries, stable compared to the record 55 competitors registered in 2024. Among the contenders, several names recur with insistence:

• Hallowe'en (Big Boat) — Podium regular, formidable in a breeze
• Viola (Gaff Rig Era) — 1908 Fife design, classified historic monument, victorious on debut
• Serenade (Marconi Era A) — Author of a historic "grand slam," winning every race in one weekend
• Windhover and Sagittarius — Blue-chip performers in the Marconi classes, consistently at the sharp end

Around ten new entries should bolster the lineup, refreshing both the sporting interest and visual spectacle.

Compare the competing boats on Spencer.

The Hyères roadstead: playground and tactical trap

In June, the roadstead typically offers an easterly thermal breeze—pleasant on paper, capricious in reality. Wind can drop in the lee of terrain, then return without warning. The island lap becomes a floating chessboard where the slightest positioning error costs minutes in the standings.

Managing transitions—switching tacks in wind shifts—will be decisive in challenging the hierarchy established by Kiwi Magic and Falcon in the record books.

Five hundred sailors, an island buzzing

The impact extends well beyond the racing marks. Around 500 sailors land for four days on Porquerolles, energizing hospitality and restaurants at the start of the season. Shore-side evenings are integral to the event's DNA: rehashing the day's tactics, swapping weather files, prepping for tomorrow's race. On-water rivalry gives way to dock-side camaraderie that recalls what's best about classic yachting—technical excellence in service of shared pleasure.