2012 edition

20th edition of Les Voiles du Froid: a grandiose anniversary that we will all remember!

They dreamed about it, Climalife made it come true!

From 7 to 10 June, 25 teams from all over Europe came together to reach the Golden Islands on board First 31.7. and discover the Mediterranean regattas first-hand. This great blue sea, so calm in appearance, reserved many surprises for our brave sailors!

Supported in the realisation of this event by its loyal partners Honeywell, Le Snefcca, Assurfroid, HRS, ExxonMobil, Eurovent, ITE, PYC Edition, Climalife had the pleasure to welcome this year a new renowned sponsor in the profession GEA Heat exchanger.

A very intense 4-day program…full of emotions and colourful memories.
Thursday afternoon: arrival of the participants at the Port of Hyères.
8 pm : the festivities begin !
230 sailors were greeted by our management and then gathered around their local specialities which they shared during a joyful evening of music at the Hyères nautical centre.

Friday, June 8: on the way to Porquerolles …

In spite of a light wind forecast at the start of the morning, our sailors went out to sea and experienced sailing conditions that were a little tough for some with successive changes in the weather which gave rhythm to the three scheduled regattas.

In the evening, they set foot ashore on the magnificent island of Porquerolles, still preserved from urbanism, where everyone had the pleasure of discovering the illuminated restaurants around the village square.
And the most adventurous continued their dance steps at the Lunar Dial to warm up a little before the gala evening!!

Saturday morning: briefing in the green theatre, weather permitting!!! A second morning, the weather is even more agitated, and a change of programme is necessary, goodbye Port Cros, the wind is getting up more and more to reach force 6 in the early afternoon….
In the end, sailing in the bay of Porquerolles alongside the classics under the watchful eye of our helicopter photographer to immortalise this ephemeral moment where everyone offered their most beautiful smile.

2 pm: Meeting on the beach of Notre Dame in Porquerolles.
Everyone was able to admire the beauty of the white sand on a turquoise sea where a picnic and Olympics were organised.
A regatta on land happily won by the Girls’ team, which generated a lot of laughter and fun.

Sunday morning: difficult but sunny wake up!
After a long, boisterous evening in the heart of the verdant La Courtade wine estate, our 25 experienced crews confirmed their place on the podium in the last Climalife regatta on a more technical course which brought the sailors back to the port of Hyères at the end of the morning.
These 4 days, characterised by the conviviality of the participants, the good sporting spirit, the radiant sunshine and the enchanting setting, ended with a cocktail party during which the big winner of this 20th edition was unveiled…

And it was “Bordeaux 3”, faithful sailors of the podium in previous years, who won the title of champion. For this special anniversary, the winners had the privilege of keeping the trophy usually awarded year after year.
If these Voiles du Froid were a success, it is thanks to your active participation. The Voiles du Froid committee would like to thank each and every one of you for the energy you put in before, during and after this event. An event that has now become a must in our profession.