St. Barth is gearing up for a great end to the month of March, with the Bucket Regatta and spring break drawing in regulars and newcomers alike. April brings the exciting competition of Les Voiles de St-Barth and the relaxing pleasure of the St. Barth Film Festival.
The Regatta season officially begins in St. Barth on March 28-31, with the St. Barth Bucket Regatta - 3 days of regattas around St. Barth for a fleet of the largest, most prestigious sailing yachts. The Port of Gustavia hosts some of the most spectacular sailboats in the world. Every year since 1995, the St. Barth Bucket has taken place in the charming port of "the pearl of the Caribbean."
A magnificent weekend of sailing promises to transform the crystal-clear waters of St. Barth into a battlefield for passionate sailors, while spectators on shore will enjoy the sight of these fabulous boats, their sails unfurled to the wind. Within a decade, the St. Barths Bucket expanded beyond all reasonable expectations. With a limit of 30 yachts required by the local Authorities to keep a handle on the event, the Bucket has been all but full every year since 2005.
In recent years, the fleet has overflowed with applicants even before the Notice of Race is published! This yachting spectacular will feature the latest in Super yacht designs along with true classics. Currently 39 yachts have accepted invitations to join the festivities and racing this year. Three races are planned, and the island courses create spectacular opportunities to view these breathtaking vessels under sail.
It has taken just three years for the “Les Voiles de Saint-Barth” to get racers from around the world used to this concept of yachting for pleasure and to develop this passion. The passion for magnificent yachts, fine cruisers and elegant Maxis, the passion for these extraordinarily beautiful waters and the passion of the men, who bring these yachts to life.
Owners, yachtsmen and sailors will once again converge on St. Barth from April 8-13, 2013 for a full week of racing dedicated to the joys of yachting and which will remain forever etched in their minds. Several decidedly national sailing teams will participate this year in the fourth edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Barth, which has become one of the most colorful and anticipated racing opportunities in the Caribbean.
The event draws teams from around the world who enjoy extending their competitive sailing season in a warm, dependably breezy tropical clime. And no one minds, while they are at it, that the famously trendy island of St. Barth has a French flair that permeates everything from the language that is spoken to the delectable wine and fine cuisine that is offered.
Les Voiles de St. Barth offers divisions for CSA Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker, Classics and Multihulls. Racing runs Tuesday through Saturday, with a lay day scheduled for Thursday, when water sports at Nikki Beach will be the activity of choice for hundreds of sailors. While most teams bring their own boats, several charter opportunities exist for full teams or even individuals who want to join a boat already delivered to St. Barth.
The West Indies Regatta is a three day event held annually over the Mayday weekend (May 3-6) in St. Barth celebrating traditional West Indian sails. More of a wooden boat festival than a competitive regatta, the purpose of the event is to promote & encourage traditional boatbuilding in the Caribbean.
Since the first West Indies Regatta in 2009, their aim has been to encourage and promote the dying art of Caribbean Boatbuilding among the islands and share the experience of sailing on these unique craft. In addition, they now have an artisanal market that showcases arts & crafts, organic produce, unique specialty products from all their islands that arrive under sail – just like the old days!
St Barth is one of the world’s most glamorous destinations and a frequent getaway for both the rich and famous, and well-heeled travelers, offering style and sophistication in a friendly and laid back environment. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and put on the map for high-end tourism by the Rockefellers in the late 1950s, St. Barth remains distinctly French in feel and has charmed countless visitors with its innate beauty, unique character and authentic charm. This casual but chic hideaway offers watersports, wining and dining in the island’s superb restaurants, shopping in Gustavia’s trendy boutiques, and a variety of fantastic cultural events throughout the year.
Comments