Les Voiles de St Barth 2017

   
54! That’s the number of pre-registered participants two months before the starting gun for the 8th edition of Les Voiles de St. Barth. What’s the story, and who are the newcomers, and the regulars?

An update on the 2017 fleet:

This is the year of the VOR if there ever was one. This class of sailboats, used for competing in the Volvo Ocean Race is well represented by eight boats: four Volvo 70s and four Volvo 60s. Among the newcomers, a first-timer is the VOR 70 Monster Project. Formerly known as Kostaka, this Russian boat participated in the Volvo Ocean Race in 2008-2009. In January 2013, it was purchased by Andrew Budgen and Fred Schywn of the “Project 1 Racing Team” and completely redesigned. It has since participated in numerous regattas in France and the Caribbean, with a busy schedule for the first part of 2017: the RORC 600, the Heineken Regatta, Les Voiles de St. Barth, and Antigua Sailing Week.

If you want to join Monster Project there are still berths available!

Another newcomer, Trifork L/4, has Danish sailor Jens Dolmer at the helm. A former member of Team Brunel, Dolmer sailed in the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race, and also took part in an America’s Cup campaign and has a victory in the Maxi World Championships. In the same class, competitors include the Volvo 70, Warrior (formerly Camper-New Zealand with the American skipper Stephen Murray and the VOR 70, SFS, with Frenchman Lionel Péan at the helm.
In the VOR 60 category, look for the return of the Lithuanians aboard Ambersail and a few newcomers from England with VOR 60 Challenger and from Canada with Esprit de Corps II and IV.

The list of competitors also marks the return of Lloyd Thornburg, who will race this year for the first time on his 40’ Carkeek, Fomo, instead of his famous multihull Phaedo3. Regulars at Les Voiles who will be back include Ben Jelic’s J-Aguar and Wild Devil from Saint Martin, the Melges 24 GFA Caraibes owned by Nicolas Gillet from Martinique, the Grand Soleil Quokka 8 and the Beneteau EHO1, respectively skippered by Englishmen Christian Reynolds and Andy Middleton.
Team Terrillon Avocats makes its first appearance with her 42 feet multihull. Also on the list is the Club Swan 50 Earlybird, owned by German Jochen Schumann, three-time gold medalist and one-time silver medalist in the Olympic Games between 1976 and 2000 and two-time winner of the America's Cup (2003/2007) with the Alinghi team. The First 45 Sailplane, and the Pogo 40 Purple Rain, with skipper Ronan Delacou, round out the entrants. 

Crew Party and Official Day Off

Every year, Les Voiles de St. Barth hosts the traditional Crew Party and Day Off so that sailors can take advantage of the convivial ambiance on the island of Saint-Barthélemy!

Tuesday, April 12, 18:30pm – Crew Party
On the magnificent setting of Shell Beach, Les Voiles de St. Barth organizes a fabulous party under the tropical skies… more than 1,000 sailors are expected this year, and they will be entertained with images on a giant screen, music, and a complimentary buffet of Caribbean food for crew members. Free entrance for all!

Thursday, April 13, 11h30 – Day Off
For those who want to take a day off and have fun, there is a full day of activities for crews, including lunch at Nikki Beach. Then there are games and various activities all afternoon: an underwater treasure hunt, water polo, standup paddleboard races and more…