To Tom Nitsch coming from the Baltic in the early 1980s, the Mediterranean scene was like an electric shock. The golden age of yachting had returned with a vengeance – enormous vessels, marvellous craftsmanship and large crews. A world which everyone thought was dead forever. By the time Tom showed up with his camera and I arrived to crew aboard one of the boats, La Nioulargue regatta was already the annual high-spot of this renaissance, featuring spectacular craft from the drawing boards of Fife, Nicolson, Alden, Stephens, Herreshoff and many others. These were great days, when the new excitement of it all filled every fibre of deckhands and spectators alike.

All present agreed that what was happening was unique and very precious. It was a celebration of cultural values, demonstrating the positive potential of humanity in one of the few areas where art and utility can combine forces. In short, it was magic! The film nobly recaptures all this, introducing the viewer to the yachts, their aesthetics, the competition, the crews, and to the ‘après-sail’ activities of St. Tropez. You are there, sitting in a waterfront cafe-chair, a part of these scenes from another era ….

This film won Silver at Houston World Fest awards in 1993.