Elena of London has closed out the Mediterranean sailing season with victory in the Big Boat class at the 28th Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, held from 26 September to 4 October with 253 yachts gathered in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
Skippered by Stephen Benfield, the 55m gaff schooner began the week with a race win and returned to the top of the fleet on the final day, when the Big Boats delivered one of the closest contests of the regatta.
Elena of London went into the finale locked in competition with fellow schooner Lelantina, while the ketch Sumurun remained firmly in contention. A final-day match between the three ended with Elena of London securing the Trophée Voiles de Saint-Tropez for best Big Boat on four points. Sumurun finished second on five points, with Lelantina third on seven.
The victory caps a successful season for Elena of London, which also won Class One at the Richard Mille Cup in June. It also betters her result at Les Voiles in 2025, when she finished one point behind class winner Cambria.
Built in 2009 from Nathanael Herreshoff’s original plans, Elena of London recreates the schooner Elena, commissioned in 1910 and launched the following year. Herreshoff conceived the yacht as an improvement on his celebrated Westward design, and the two became close rivals during the 1911 season. The original Elena went on to win two Astor Cups before taking her class in the 1928 transatlantic race from New York to Santander.
The Saint-Tropez prize-giving also included a special award for former captain Steve MacLaren, who oversaw the construction of Elena of London.
The 2026 edition of Les Voiles brought together 51 maxis, including three J Class yachts.
Elena of London is available for charter and sale with Camper & Nicholsons.
Skippered by Stephen Benfield, the 55m gaff schooner began the week with a race win and returned to the top of the fleet on the final day, when the Big Boats delivered one of the closest contests of the regatta.
Elena of London went into the finale locked in competition with fellow schooner Lelantina, while the ketch Sumurun remained firmly in contention. A final-day match between the three ended with Elena of London securing the Trophée Voiles de Saint-Tropez for best Big Boat on four points. Sumurun finished second on five points, with Lelantina third on seven.
The victory caps a successful season for Elena of London, which also won Class One at the Richard Mille Cup in June. It also betters her result at Les Voiles in 2025, when she finished one point behind class winner Cambria.
Built in 2009 from Nathanael Herreshoff’s original plans, Elena of London recreates the schooner Elena, commissioned in 1910 and launched the following year. Herreshoff conceived the yacht as an improvement on his celebrated Westward design, and the two became close rivals during the 1911 season. The original Elena went on to win two Astor Cups before taking her class in the 1928 transatlantic race from New York to Santander.
The Saint-Tropez prize-giving also included a special award for former captain Steve MacLaren, who oversaw the construction of Elena of London.
The 2026 edition of Les Voiles brought together 51 maxis, including three J Class yachts.
Elena of London is available for charter and sale with Camper & Nicholsons.
