Gorgeous Voiles de Saint Barth IX Regatta

(Gustavia, St Barth)- The ninth edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Barth Richard Mille started with a splash on Monday, April 9th, welcoming 53 teams in the regatta’s seven classes. The entire fleet enjoyed the first day’s racing in perfect easterly trade winds between 15 to 20 knots and big swell on the coastal courses – between 28 and 29 nautical miles – with a start and finish right outside of Gustavia port.

After an epic start off the Port of Gustavia for the second day of racing at Les Voiles de Saint-Barth Richard Mille, the fleet went on a wild ride up the southeast coast.  With winds gusting upward of 25 knots, the fleet of 53 teams battled it out in frantic surf. At the end of the day’s races, which included a 23-mile course for the CSA 3 Classes, a 32-mile loop for the CSA 1 and 2 Classes and then a 39-mile course for the Maxi 1, Maxi 2, OMA and CSA Multihull, the fatigue was evident.

“The conditions were fantastic today!” Richard Eames on board the J/105 WHISTLER in CSA 3. The WHISTLER team was sitting in third place and optimistic about making the podium in their fifth Les Voiles de Saint Barth. “We had to be very focused on the attitude of the boat, especially downwind but it made the navigation very exciting. Downwind we were flying at unbelievable speeds.“

Jimmy Buffett Surprise Concert
The sailors quickly forgot their aches and pains after a hard day of hiking in the big waves once singer Jimmy Buffett announced a surprise concert on Tuesday evening. Buffett, this year’s US ambassador, treated the regatta to live music dockside in the Race Village.

Postcard conditions continued on Friday as competition resumed for the seven fleets after Les Voiles’ signature Day Off on Thursday and lots of fun and games at the infamous NIKI BEACH cafe and bar.  On the menu were 18-22 knot breezes.  The PRO set a 22-mile course for CSA 1 and 2 and an 18-mile loop for CSA 3. As in previous days, the conditions were ideal and the fight was intense.

On Saturday’s final act for Les Voiles, the fabulous 25–27 knot winds with gusts in the low 30s and big seas, took their place on center stage to create a spectacular finish for the 9th edition.

In the CSA 2 Division, Pamala Baldwin’s J/122 LIQUID from Antigua sailed a consistent six-race series to finish 4th, just two points from taking the bronze position on the podium.  In fact, a fifth race OCS dropped them out of contention for the podium. Then, Sacha Daunar’s J/120 PAULISTA from Guadeloupe took 5th place behind them.

In CSA 3 Division, Peter Lewis’ crew on the J/105 WHISTLER from Barbados could not have sailed a more consistent series, posting six 3rds to secure the bronze on the podium!   Sailing photo credits- Christophe Jounay   Follow Les Voiles de St Barth on Facebook here   For more Les Voiles de St Barth sailing informationAdd to Flipboard Magazine.


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