Les Voiles de St. Barth: A Yachting Affair

All the elements were in place to make the sixth edition of Les Voiles de St. Barth an exceptional event, with a magnificent 70-boat fleet enjoying steadfast competition, ideal Caribbean weather and lively shore-side events throughout the week.

les voiles de st. barth crew party

a bird’s eye view of the les voiles de st. barth crew party, photo: les voiles de st. barth/michael gramm

les voiles de st. barth crew party fire dancer

les voiles de st. barth crew party entertainment, photo: les voiles de st. barth/michael gramm

les voiles de st. barth crew party

les voiles de st. barth crew party, photo: les voiles de st. barth/michael gramm

sailing star power at les voiles de st. barts

sailing star power, left to right: terry hutchinson, ken read, loick peyron, photo: les voiles de st. barth/michael gramm

The regatta personified the sailing lifestyle, with fabulous on the water action, rock star sailors and inspired parties.

phaedo 3 at les voiles de st. barth

mod 70 phaedo 3 at les voiles de st. barth, photo: les voiles de st. barth/christophe jouany

comanche vs. rambler 88 at les voiles de st. barth

comanche vs. rambler 88, photo: les voiles de st. barth/christophe jouany

les-voiles-de-st-barth-2015

70 entries for les voiles de st. barth 2015, photo: les voiles de st. barth/christophe jouany

comanche at les voiles de st. barth

comanche! photo: les voiles de st. barth/michael gramm

Teams came from around the world to compete, and boats ranged from speedy multihulls such as Lloyd Thornburg’s Mod 70 Phaedo 3 to technologically sophisticated new-builds such as George David’s Rambler 88 and Jim and Kristy Hinze-Clarke’s Comanche to the more traditional grand prix yachts and smaller racer cruisers.

les voiles de st. barths caviar treasure hunt

caviar treasure hunt! photo: les voiles de st. barth/michael gramm

lay day fun at les voiles de st. barths

lay day fun, photo: les voiles de st. barth/michael gramm

les voiles de st. barths, veuve cliquot flowing

flowing veuve cliquot. photo: les voiles de st. barth/michael gramm

dancing on tables - les voiles de st. barths

yes – dancing on tables, photo: les voiles de st. barth/michael gramm

After tight racing on Tuesday and Wednesday, competitors took to Nikki Beach for Lay Day, enjoying fresh sushi and rose as well as table dancing and fun shore-side competitions such as Paddle Board Jousting, Water Polo, and Caviar Treasure Hunts. After that, it was back to the starting line for two more days of suspenseful competition on the glistening waters off St. Barth.

richard mille regatta watch prizes

sponsor richard mille with his regatta watch prizes, photo: les voiles de st. barth/michael gramm

rambler 88 in action at les voiles de st. barths

rambler 88 in action, photo: christophe jouany

rambler 88 wins!

rambler 88 wins! photo: les voiles de st. barth/michael gramm

While 10 teams claimed trophies for class wins, it was Rambler 88 that took home the ultimate prize, a Richard Mille Caliber RM 60-01 Regatta watch, for winning the overall Maxi division.

les voiles de st. barth fireworks

a beautiful ending to the 2015 edition, photo: les voiles de st. barth/michael gramm

Les Voiles de St. Barth 2015 was a smashing success in all aspects. “Those who come to race arrive with their friends and families. They come before the race begins and remain for a few days after the awards ceremony in order to enjoy the island’s legendary “French-touch” lifestyle. Overall, this sixth edition was not only successful for racing but also an economic success, a success in terms of media coverage, and the boats put on a beautiful show, said François Tolède, managing director of the regatta.

The next edition is April 11-16, 2016, mark your calendars!

Kirsten is a public relations and social media professional specializing in lifestyle sports and luxury brands. You can follow her on Twitter at @kirferg.

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