Viking Prince defeats British Gladiator in StTropez
Over 4,000 sailors and more than 300 boats converged on StTropez in the south of France for the final regatta of the Mediterranean season, 28 September - 4 October.
From 100 year old classics to the latest maxi racers, the event attracted a strong contingent of international competitors at this, France's premier sailing event.
In the thirty boat strong green fleet, the Langley Holdings sponsored TP52 "Gladiator", driven by Group Chairman, Tony Langley, took second place on the podium to another of five TP's competing, "Enfant Terrible", helmed by HRH, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark. Jimmy Spithill, who drove Larry Ellison's foiling catamaran "BMW Oracle" to victory in the 2013 Americas Cup, called tactics on the the Danish boat.
On the first race of the regatta a bow sprit failure forced the Gladiator to retire. However the team's shore crew worked through the night to have the boat back on the start line the following morning.
Tony Langley:
"On day two we were lying last in the fleet with an enormous mountain ahead, but the team remained focused and climbed back to take second place on the podium. It was a remarkable effort by the Gladiator team but Prince Frederik and his team sailed extremely well and we just couldn't quite catch up in the time remaining"