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LES VOILES DE SAINT-BARTH 2010 06.-11.04.2010
Reggatta Welt 2010 - www.lesvoilesdesaintbarth.com/
Fotogalerie Teil 1
25.11.2009
LES VOILES DE SAINT-BARTH 2010
The world's finest yachts racing in the heart of the Caribbean
From 6 to 11 april 2010
The local council in Saint Barthélémy, the Tourist board and the Saint
Barth Yacht Club are setting up a new sailing event from Tuesday 6th
to Sunday 11th April 2010, which will be open to Classic and modern
yachts, Super Yachts, Racing-Cruisers, as well as Racing Multihulls,
in one of the most delightful settings and on the finest waters in the
world with what is bound to be a friendly atmosphere as we have come
to expect in the Caribbean. "The world's finest boats racing in an
area known for its fun with the simple goal of bringing together sport
and sheer pleasure."
At the crossroads between the continent of North America, South
America and the Caribbean islands, Saint Barthélémy has always
included sailing races among its traditions and has made great use of
its know-how.
The desire to create a special event unique to Saint
Barth, with the backing of François Tolède, member of the Saint Barth
tourist board and in charge of special events at the Saint Barth Yacht
Club, is the latest example in a long history of glorious yachting
events on the island, ever since the Loulou's regatta, which in the
seventies brought together up to 200 sail boats.
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Fotos copyright DR
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Using all the
knowledge and expertise it has acquired in welcoming large yachts and
racing boats, with a know-how that is recognised with such varied
races as the Transat AG2R, the Route du Rosé and the St-Barth Bucket
Regatta, Saint Barth is organising a week of racing in the best spirit
of the sport with the finest yachts that can be found in this part of
the world. "We’re looking forward to welcoming the big American
yachts, which sail in the Caribbean in the winter months," explained
Luc Poupon, the race director. "We are inviting the finest yachts in
the world, including the Maxi Yachts, and Racing-Cruisers, and we hope
that for this maiden event that no fewer than a hundred of the
greatest Classic and modern yachts will be appearing here.”
We can therefore expect the jewels in the crown of the international
racing world to be heading for Gustavia at the start of the spring of
2010. "80% of the sailors will be from a British or American
background," added "Lucky" Poupon. "But the boats will be coming from
all over the world, from the USA of course, but also from Mexico,
South America, and we’ve even had requests from Poland and Hong Kong.
It will really be an opportunity to discover yachts, many of which do
not sail in European waters."
So we can be sure that the whole of the Caribbean sailing world will
be celebrating at the start of next April. There will be a friendly
and festive atmosphere ashore outside of the races and a special
village will be set up for the racers and their sponsors. "We are
planning a lot of special events ashore, in order for the hundreds of
sailors from around the world to have fun together," continued
François Tolède. "The fact that we are an island means we attract
motivated people, who come to Saint Barth for the charms of the island
and the beauty of the racing yachts throughout this week."
Specific start areas will be set up according to the size of boat in
order to make this a fair contest. "On the leeward side of the island,
where the races will start, there are a number of possible courses off
Gustavia or around the islands, which means that each class can enjoy
a fair competition in the best spirit of the sport," explained Luc
Poupon. "The trade winds tend to ease off in April, and we can
legitimately hope for a steady easterly of around fifteen knots."
Which means we can look forward to some great racing in the sunshine.
The world’s finest yachts, from Classic yachts to Maxis, often with
top names from ocean racing and regattas at the helm (Peter Holmberg,
Russell Coutts....), windy races, offering a spectacular show, an
atmosphere ashore based around the simple pleasures of life... under
the auspices of the photographer, Patrick Demarchelier, the Voiles de
Saint Barth will also be bringing together the traditional values of
classic yachts and the spectacular modern approach of the newest
Racing-Cruisers, to ensure that all those, who love beautiful boats
will enjoy this event that the Saint Barthélémy council would like to
see become a regular date on the calendar of the international
yachting world.
Guest yachts:
The Super Yachts
They are very different from each other, so it is very difficult to
classify them. A handicap time system will be put in place based on
specifications, such as the size of the boat, the sail surface and
weight. Some of these boats take part in the Bucket Regatta.
The Classics
Classic boats must be at least 35 years old and will be ranked in
various classes. To deal with them fairly a handicap system is set up
based on the specifications of the boat, such as the size, sail
surface and weight.
The Racing
Racing monohulls built specifically for coastal or ocean racing. Often
built of carbon or other so called exotic materials, their sail
surface is immense and they have a large crew on board for hiking out.
The Racing Cruiser
In most cases, these are series boats, fitted out for cruising or
racing.
The Racing Multihulls
Racing multihulls, trimarans or catamarans, with a length between 30
and 60 feet. In general, they are very light and fast.
The schedule for the 2010 race
• Tuesday 6th April 2010: Official opening of the registration office
(daylight hours)
Publication of official programme
Opening ceremony, Quai Général de Gaulle
Cocktail reception in the race village
• Wednesday 7th April 2010: 1st day of racing
Harbourmaster’s office
10H00 Skippers’ briefing
11H00 Start of the first races
16H00 The competitors return to shore
17H00 Special light show Quai Général de Gaulle
Opening of the weather centre: cocktail reception for the sponsors
• Thursday 8th April 2010: 2nd day of racing
10H00 The boats set sail
11H00 Lunch on the start line – weather unit
16H00 The competitors return to shore
17H00 Special event in the race village: light show
• Friday 9th April 2010: 3rd day of racing
10H00 The boats set sail
16H00 The competitors return to shore
17H00 Special event in the race village: light show
• Saturday 10th April 2010: Final day of racing
10H00 Final day of racing: the boats set sail
17H00 Prize ceremony and cocktail reception
20H00 Party evening and closing ceremony for the Voiles de St Barth
Sponsors’ dinner – Weather centre
• Sunday 11th April 2010:
10H00 Start of the Colombier Regatta
13H00 Giant picnic
17.06.2010 - Second edition from 4th to 9th April 2011
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