THE ISLE OF LIGHT

louds of creamy topsail, steeped in the scent of needle pines, wild herbs and sea salt; piercing bows crossing like swords on sparkling blue swell. Spirited trials in the day, spirits and smiles in the evening, while cicadas sing and the crews reminisce: there is a comforting timelessness to the Mediterranean classic circuit, especially after a year of loss and frustration. But among the parade of well-known names from Marseille to Saint-Tropez lies a unique gem of an event, timed perfectly this year to take advantage of easing restrictions: Porquerolle’s Classique, a three-day entry on the official calendar of the Association Francaise des Yachts de Tradition(AFYT), run by the Porquerolles Yacht Club (YCP). In a normal year, 40-50 yachts 1871 (CB308), to the towering Fife 15-Metre , and all three of the P-Class yachts in commission – and tested their mettle on a challenging set of light-wind courses.