Supermaxi Luxury Yacht & Superyacht News

2012 Les Voiles de St Barth: BACK FOR MORE

April 03, 2012

On the eve of the third running of Les Voiles de St. Barth, April 2-7, the palm-fringed port of Gustavia, St. Barthlemy quickly filled with an impressive array of race boats: ocean-racing maxis including the 90-foot sailing yacht Rambler and the Swan 112, charter yacht Highland Breeze; classic beauties such the Olin Stephen-designed Dorade sailing yacht and the Fife-built yawl Mariella; a trio of IRC 52s, multi-hulls including the 66 Gunboat Phaedo, and two large racing classes with a mix of Melges, J/boats, and a mix of 40-footers, including the hot-off-the-press Carkeek 40, Decision.

Sailing yacht Nilaya heads out for practice prior to the start of Les Voiles de St Barth © Christophe Jouany Les Voiles de St. Barth

Sailing yacht Nilaya heads out for practice prior to the start of Les Voiles de St Barth © Christophe Jouany Les Voiles de St. Barth

Over 60 boats are registered for this year’s edition, up from with a large number of returning entries, proof that the regatta has filled the need for spirited competition towards the end of the winter season a time when tourism typically begins to wind down in the Caribbean. Though that was hard to tell yesterday, at the islands tiny airport, as the steady stream of small commuter planes landing were filled with a duffle bag-wielding collection of sailors from the ranks of the Americas Cup, round-the-world-ocean races, and Olympic competition, that included Gavin Brady (Vesper), Scott Vogel (Rambler), Bouwe Bekking (yacht Nilaya), Cam Lewis (Paradox), Charlie McKee and Ross MacDonald (Mayhem), Tony Rey, Jeff Madrigali, and Nacho Postigo (Powerplay), and Dee Smith (Decision).

Gustavia Harbour on the eve of the start of Les Voiles de St Barth - Credit Christophe Jouany Les Voiles de St. Barth

Gustavia Harbour on the eve of the start of Les Voiles de St Barth - Credit Christophe Jouany Les Voiles de St. Barth

But it’s not just the professionals that flock to Les Voiles de St. Barth, the regattas program and mix of courses also appeals to a competitive group of amateur and family racers that hone their skills on the growing circuit of Caribbean regattas that take advantage of this sailing paradise.

While not the easiest of destinations to reach some U.S. west coast sailors logged 16+ hours in transit, while others from Europe only slightly less the island of St Barths itself is a welcome reward at the end of the road: a turquoise blue, crystal-clear sea, pristine white sand beaches, and an array of fabulous restaurants just payoff for a long day’s journey.

Francesco Mongelli, navigator onboard Jim Swartz IRC52 Vesper, is here racing in St Barth’s for the first time. The Italian sailor, who sails primarily in Europe, has been racing with the Vesper crew since last October, and was clearly keen to have touched down in this French paradise, Its a mix of all the best sailing places, together with perfect weather and good food. Having spent the afternoon in a tender carefully checking out the coastline and charted (and uncharted) rock outcroppings, Mongelli added, Its pretty similar to Porto Cervo, the difference is that there you more or less know where everything is, and the charts are accurate. You cannot take the same risk here that wed take in Porto Cervo.

Atmosphere on the dockside at Les Voiles de Saint Barth © Christophe Jouany Les Voiles de St. Barth

Atmosphere on the dockside at Les Voiles de Saint Barth © Christophe Jouany Les Voiles de St. Barth

Racing will run from Tuesday, April 3 to Saturday, April 7 and will feature a mix of Olympic triangles, short coastal courses, and a 20-30 nautical mile round-the island race. The fleet will be split into seven classes: Maxi (> 21 meters), IRC52 (former TP52s that have been optimized for the IRC rule), Spinnaker I + II, Non-Spinnaker (racer/cruiser), Classic (vintage/traditional), and Multihull. Thursday is a layday at Nikki Beach, with lunch and a full afternoon of activities, including a paddleboard competition.

New this year, Les Voiles will offer real-time race tracking with 2D visualization via the internet. Waypoint-Tracking developed the system in close collaboration with ISAF. The site will allow enthusiasts to follow the daily racing action live or to replay at a later time.

Many of the competing boats are moored stern-to at the Quai General de Gaulle, site of the Race Village, where all of the daily breakfast and post-race activities and music take place. This evening, skippers and tacticians were on hand for the Skippers Briefing led by Loic Ponceau, Race Committee Chairman, and organizers Francois Tolede, Luc Poupon, and Annelisa Gee. Following that was Les Voiles St. Barth Opening Ceremony, where Bruno Magras, President of the Collectivit of St. Barth, welcomed more than 500 sailors to the weeklong event.

A regular and enthusiastic competitor in the Caribbean, Sir Peter Harrison was named the godfather or patron of this year’s Les Voiles. Harrison, owner of the 115-foot Farr-designed Sojana yacht, told the crowd, “As a visitor from England to this beautiful French island, one of the most beautiful in the West Indies, I’m thrilled to be asked to the patron of Les Voiles. Bon vent Les Voiles de St. Barth, and good luck, everyone!”

Also sailing on sailing yacht Sojana is Lionel Pan, who is also back for his third Les Voiles. He said, “Obviously there are plenty of good reasons to be here, and to come back every year with the same enthusiasm: this place is made for sailing. In a very short time, Les Voiles de St. Barth has become the place to be, very much like Saint Tropez in the Mediterranean. And the word is spreading around. Shortly there will be a waiting list to be a part of the event!”

Whisper heads out to practice for Les Voiles de Saint Barth © Christophe Jouany Les Voiles de St. Barth

Whisper heads out to practice for Les Voiles de Saint Barth © Christophe Jouany Les Voiles de St. Barth

The weather forecast for the next few days calls for light winds, though the breeze is expected to increase throughout the week. Racing is scheduled to start tomorrow, Tuesday, April 3, two miles northwest of Sugarloaf Rock off Gustavia; one race is scheduled with a start time of 12noon.

4 Dykstra designed J Class Superyachts started the J Class Racing Season

March 26, 2012

St. Barths Bucket Regatta was the venue as well as host of the first J Class superyachts´ gathering and racing event of this year. It has been the first time that four Dykstra Naval Architects designed J’s competed together since 75 years.

130´ charter yacht Endeavour

130´ charter yacht Endeavour

Dykstra Naval Architects is proud to be the designer and re-designer of all 4 J´s that raced the J Class Exhibition Race. The 130´ charter yacht Endeavour, the 129´ sailing yacht Velsheda, the 138´ superyacht Hanuman and the 41.55m charter yacht Ranger competed and showed their beauty and performance to all yacht and J Class lovers. Endeavour crossed the line first and won the race, followed by Velsheda 2nd, Ranger 3rd and Hanuman 4th.

Charter yacht RANGER Image by Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex

Charter yacht RANGER Image by Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex

Endeavour recently completed an intensive refit; Dykstra Naval Architects have been instrumental in the design of the new sail plan, deck layout and structural engineering. In total 7 vessels designed by Dykstra Naval Architects are racing the St. Barths Bucket 2012: the 55m superyacht Adela, the 67m megayacht Hetairos, the 52m charter yacht Meteor, the 130´ charter yacht Endeavour, Velsheda, Hanuman and the 41.55m charter yacht Ranger.

52m charter yacht METEOR - Photo Credit Royal Huisman

52m charter yacht METEOR - Photo Credit: Royal Huisman

Some of Dykstra crew will be joining the yachts as well, Thys Nikkels (Managing Director) will race on Meteor, Jeroen de Vos (Naval Architect) on the charter yacht Endeavour and Erik Wassen (Naval Architect) on the sailing yacht Hetairos.

St. Barths Bucket Regatta 2012: What A Difference A Day Makes!

March 25, 2012

Race Day Two offered another fantastic day at the Saint Barths Bucket. In a sharp contrast to yesterdays’ wash out, Saturday dawned hot as well as sunny, with but a few dark clouds to reminded everybody what they weren’t missing.

St. Barths Bucket Regatta 2012 Photo by Tim Wright

St. Barths Bucket Regatta 2012 Photo by Tim Wright

“Today might be one of the epic Bucket Races of all time” exclaimed Bucket Founder and Antara guest helmsman Capt. Ian “Crash” Craddock. Truer words have never been spoken! By now, after a few days of working and partying hard, everyone is feeling a little tired, but judging from the huge crowd, and extremely happy faces at the Bucket Bash BBQ, the sheer thrill of viewing and participating in such a phenomenal race kept spirits way up. Or was that the endlessly flowing spirits keeping spirits going? Either way, there was a lot of celebrating on.

Besides the sunshine, a steadily freshening breeze brought this massive fleet just what it needed to move around the “Not So Wiggly” course at a quick and exciting clip. Capt. Timmy Laughridge, another Bucket Founder, and for this race driving Perini Navi superyacht Parsifal III, commented on the spectacular start.  “A downwind start, with a good breeze is a great way to start a race, we don’t see that much! In Les Grandes Dames, Parsifal III again brought in a solid first in class, and is in now in fourth overall.  The charter yacht Panthalassa edged into 2nd place, while the charter yacht Axia, showing their usual indomidable spirit, hung in there at 3rd place.

Sailing yacht Parsifal III at the St Barth's Bucket

Sailing yacht Parsifal III at the St Barth's Bucket - Image courtesy of Perini Navi

Les Elegantes had a hell of day. None of this thirteen-strong class, a beautiful mix of modern and older classics, which included the sailing yacht Athos, the luxury yacht Adela, the charter yacht Whisper, the William Tai superyacht and the charter yacht Meteor, could have been more excited than the crew on the luxury charter yacht This Is Us¸one of the many lovely Hoek designs here, built by Holland Jachtbouw. Highly experienced yacht regatta veteran and guest helmsman Patrick Wetter was visibly elated –as well he should be – sweeping to first place in both class and overall a full five minutes a full five minutes ahead of 34m Alloy sailing yacht Blue Too, a design by the always classic Ron Holland. In a surprising move, one of the smallest Bucket boats, sentimental favorite Olin Stephens design, Bequia brought in a solid third.

Les Mademoiselles class,dominated by a clutch of gorgeous Dubois designs, were also in their element. It was another battle for the top spots, but the 43m Vitters sailing yacht Lady B swept her class again, while dropping to third place overall. Tony Mitchell, who comes all the way from New Zealand several times per year to race in the Salperton III superyacht,  was “very happy for the owner”, yacht regatta veteran Barry Houghton. Salperton III, and her sister ship the charter yacht Ganesha, both built at New Zealands’ Fitzroy are still proving highly competitive, with Ganesha nipping at Salperton’s heels to come in a close 3rd.

Beautiful superyachts designed by Ron Holland

Beautiful superyachts designed by Ron Holland

The Not So Wiggly Course offers multiple opportunities to view this spectacular fleet up close and personal, but the sights to be seen at the top mark were especially thrilling, with up to eight of these seriously big yachts abreast at one time. Part of the thrill as either competitor or guest is the inevitable fear factor of what could happen if anyone made a mistake – but so far, so good. As Capt. Crash put it, “this race is a testament to the seamanship capabilities of the whole fleet.”

As could be imagined, Les Gazelles had a field day, storming through the rest of fleet in her longer course. What a sight to behold, with the sailing yacht Velsheda, the Unfurled superyacht, the charter yacht Ranger, and the luxury charter yacht Endeavor and the charter yacht Virago battling it out. The results in winning order were the charter yacht Mari Cha III, the charter yacht P2, and the luxury yacht Firefly. It’s still an incredibly thrilling experience to see these J’s up close and personal, yet competing with the rest of her class. Wow, Wow, Wow!

Tom Hutchinson of Future Fibers, another veteran Bucketeer, sailing on the This Is Us yacht, summed up this wonderful day perfectly, saying “sometimes you race well without a good result, and sometimes you race well and get the result you want. Today was about as good as it gets – good racing and great results!”

Today, Saint Barths Bucket race day three, is the ‘Round the Island the Other Direction” course, and with a good breeze already freshening, and more brilliant sunshine brightening everything up, should make this another great day out on the water. Tonight, the Prize Giving should be as epic as the Bucket has been.

St. Barths Bucket Regatta 2012: Day 1 – Natures Deck Wash

March 24, 2012

Today’s very rainy St. Barths Bucket yacht race featured unseasonable – even cold – all day´s rain falling in buckets that even brought wind. So Day One of the Saint Barths Bucket proved to be very interesting indeed, a dramatic start to an always amazing racing spectacle.

Beautiful Caribbean charter yacht location - St. Barths

Beautiful Caribbean yacht charter location - St. Barths

To begin with, this incredible fleet, featuring 47 of the world´s most impressive sailing yachts, hailing from every yacht building nation on earth, with a LOA of close to two kilometers in length total is mind boggling to any normal human being, even us hundreds of die-hard Bucketeers. Add in a new, fourth ratings class, and the ever-present discussions which surround the Bucket Ratings System, and the stage is set for a lot of excitement.

Day One as usual featured the ‘Round the Island Race’ clockwise. The races here are based on the pursuit racing theory which has yachts begin at staggered times based on predicted performance, which when figured correctly (as if this were possible with a fleet of this breathtaking diversity), and counting in slightly differing courses for some of the classes – could, or should result in all of the yachts coming across the finish line at the same time. Great concept, and there’s doubt that no one does it better that our ratings guru Jim Teeters, but can you imagine the fear factor in that amount enormous, and hugely valuable fleet of floating assets bearing on the same finish line at the same time? Needless to say, it rarely happens just that way.

Today´s Bucket racing proved about as good as it gets, despite the unseasonable weather. Most of the yachts had great starts, with many of them right on the money, or bare seconds behind their allotted times. Throughout the race, which was either 20.8 or 24.5 miles depending upon your class, there was some seriously thrilling sailing. The finishes – proving that the years of data crunching behind the Bucket Ratings system actually does produce results – were in a few cases almost too close. The final mark proved a bottle neck, which saw several encounters of the heart-stopping variety, including a couple of clusters of Perini Navis coming within drink-sharing distance of each other. A definitely too intimate meeting of the charter yacht Whisper, the superyacht Rebecca and the sailing yacht Salperton – which came very close to producing the seriously frowned-upon protest – was averted at the last minute by the usual gentlemanly discussion. No T-bones today!

Luxury charter yacht Parsifal III at the St Barth's Bucket

Luxury charter yacht Parsifal III at the St Barth's Bucket

These yachts, although increasingly built to perform on the race course, are still at heart cruising vessels, and invariably, the rarely seen stresses that racing places on the yachts can – and does – cause some damage. Depending on who you spoke to, there were anything from four to eight spinnaker sails shredded, including those on Barracuda and Meteor. Most seriously damaged was the largest yacht in the fleet, the very impressive 67m Baltic Yacht megayacht Hetairos, designed by one of hottest current yacht design collaborations possible, Dysktra and Reichel/Pugh. She unfortunately hit a submerged rock and did quite a bit of damage to her keel – yet finished the race to the bitter end.

This was a race where experience really counted. The gorgeous classic 43m ketch Rebecca, which was designed by German Frers, and built at Pendennis Shipyard, has participated in many yacht races worldwide. Their well-rehearsed team, composed of experienced former and current yacht skippers, has brought them onto the winners’ podium at numerous Buckets. They chose the conservative route, carrying up on deck and rigging three different spinnakers, and in the end, although they could have chosen a more aggressive approach, went with a heavier sail, but at least, brought it back on deck safe and sound. From my point of view riding on board as an ‘extra’, the swath she cut through the eleven vessel Elegantes de Mer class, with a start as second-to-last place, and finishing right in the middle provided a fantastic view of the entire fleet as we chased and caught up with most of the yachts on the course today.

The newly formed Mademoiselles de la Mer class, dominated by no less than ten Dubois designed beauties, saw a very excited Ed Dubois chortling over his very first ever Bucket race win on the sailing yacht Lady B, snagging both first in class and first over all. The charter yacht Ganesha and the charter yacht Salperton IV came in at 2nd and 3rd place respectively. With the vast quantity of yacht owners they make happy year after year – not to mention the aesthetic satisfaction they bring to their legion of fans worldwide – they deserve lots of prizes. Congrats to him and his great Dubois team!

Sailing yachts at St. Barths Bucket 2012

Sailing yachts at St. Barths Bucket 2012 - Photo: Mark Charlton of Real Media Travel

In Les Grandes Dames, a/k/a the Perini Navi class, there was a battle of titans, as two of the Bucket founder captains, Tim Laughridge and Ian Craddock did guest helmsman duty on the charter yacht Parsifal III and the charter yacht Antara. The light variable winds did not at all favor these elegant, stately beauties, yet that did not stop them from battling mightily all throughout the race course. Capt. Timmy snagged a First in class with some quite aggressive driving. The charter yacht Axia, with her multi-generation family team, their dogged hard work, and long-time Bucket participation, well merited their close 2nd in class. The sleek charter yacht Panthalassa rounded out 3rd place in Les Grandes.

Adela, another long-time favourite Bucket boat, swept to first in Les Elegantes, with the sailing yacht Blue Too and the charter yacht This Is Us chasing them closely. Overall winners were Lady B, the superyacht Adela, and the charter yacht Mari-Cha III. The newly instituted daily prize givings were well-attended by many still soggy Bucketeers.

The rain stopped just in time for the chamois to be wielded, the champagne popped, and hors d’oeuvres to be prepared for the Yacht Hop, which due to some serious security measures, remained very civilized. Very popular were the charter yacht Bliss, the sailing yacht Barracuda and the charter yacht Parsifal III, but as usual – the party winner favours always go to those dancing fools on Antara. Their theme this year was Motown, and they had the sound system, the tunes, the bling and the hairdos to carry it off in style.

The sun is out for Day Two of the Saint Barths Bucket 2012. Everybody is  looking forward to enjoying another great day out on the water.

St Barths Bucket Regatta 2012: Something Old, Something New, Something Refit, Something Blue — J Class yachts

March 23, 2012

When speaking about the ‘match race’ for J Class yachts today, St Barths Bucket Race Committee Chairman Peter Craig said it just right in but a few words: “it was quite a sight!” An understatement if there ever was one, for to see four of these simply amazing yachts out sailing on the fabulous Caribbean waters was probably closer to a holy experience for anyone who has any interest in the history of yachting. In this environment, with St. Barths packed with many magnificent yachts, and passionate yachtsmen as well as women thick on the water and the docks, there were plenty feeling that beautiful big J vibe.

St.-Barths-Bucket-Regatta-2012-Photo-by-Tim-Wright

St. Barths Bucket Regatta 2012 Photo by Tim Wright

J Class Yachts have a special place in yachting lore, which still resonates today thanks to the efforts both some dedicated yacht owners and the J Class Association which since 2000 has worked tirelessly to bring these floating legends back to life. Only ten of these graceful bohemoths were built to race in the America´s Cups during the 1930’s with several more designed and tank tested, but only three survived being scrapped during the WWII. There are now seven sailing today, with one more under construction, and three in design, including the recently announced “Super J” Cheveyo, a collaboration between S&S and Spirit Yachts, which will proudly carry the designation J 1.

On Wednesday, those of us fortunate enough to witness this incredible race were treated to seeing four J Class beauties racing together in an excitingly close race, carefully orchestrated the day before Bucket racing begins in earnest tomorrow. They will also be sailing again in days ahead as part of the Bucket  fleet– all leading up the much anticipated J Class races happening this summer on the Solent, to be held throughout  June and July, culminating in the new Hundred Guineas Cup (which would later become known as the America’s Cup, the oldest sporting trophy in existence). Today´s race is itself an historic occasion, bringing together four J’s for the first time in over 75 years.

Many of us have for many years already been enjoying watching the charter yacht Ranger in action, with her tight teamwork and a very loyal crew who have gathered at regattas worldwide since her launch several years ago as the first  new J, based on the plans of the original Ranger. Newport-based yachtswomen extraordinaire Elizabeth Myers rescued the hull of the charter yacht Endeavour in the 1980’s, and her re-launch in 1989, after a complete re-build by Royal Huisman helped spark renewed interest in these classic remnants of yachting days gone – but quite obviously not forgotten.

Sailing yacht LADY B

Sailing yacht LADY B

Endeavour has just returned to the Northern hemisphere after a total overhaul including new masts, decks and other major refit items in the sailing mecca of New Zealand – looking even more beautiful than ever. Black hulled sailing yacht Hanuman, built for another extremely serious yachtsman, Jim Clark, was also a new hull, built as required to conform to the original J Class designs. Truly spectacular J superyacht Velsheda, yet another of the rare remaining originals has also been totally refit, and re-launched in her full glory just in time to start this exciting J Class racing season.

It wasn’t just the sight of these historic phenomenons sailing together that raised the heart rates of the many observers out enjoying the show – for this was a real race. For those of us fortunate enough to be invited to view the spectacle in style from the deck of the committee boat Rena, just the sight of four Js coming across the starting line within seconds of each other was already incredible, but then for two hours, over a 19 mile course, they continued to battle in close formation, finishing again within bare minutes of each other, with the finish in winning order: Endeavour, Velsheda, Ranger, and not even one boat length behind, the Hanuman superyacht bringing in fourth place. A worthy and exciting race in any regatta, but this fleet obviously made a special day even more breath-taking.

Sadly, a serious injury one of the crew members of the luxury yacht Velsheda cast a sad spell over this festive day, but in true sporting style, he apparently insisted that Velsheda finish the race before he was whisked off the hospital. Our prayers go to this brave crewman for a speedy recovery, and to his fellow crew and owner to help him in this tough journey ahead.

Today, Friday is Bucket Day One. Everything has changed, for in a surprise move, the Bucket Committee, in consultation with the Big Five builders, skippers and owners, decided to add a fourth class.  So today the 47 vessel strong fleet will be broken up according to Jim Teeters Bucket Racing System as Grandes Dames, Les Gazelles, Les Elegantes or Les Mademoiselles de la Mer. So far, early in the morning, there’s not a puff of breeze, but hopefully along with the predicted rain, we’ll also see some wind.

The kick-off event on the docks last night attracted a couple of hundred sailors, ready to commune and celebrate with like-minded friends from near and far. The Owners Soiree, held for the first time at La Plage, was also extremely well attended – so everyone is properly lubricated for a great day of racing ahead!

As the Bucket co-founder, Hank Halsted says: “Let’s  call up the Wind Gods to bring us some breeze.”

BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival to start on Monday!

March 23, 2012

With only three days to go, the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival starts on Monday 26 March, with the competition organisers busy getting ready for a week of exciting racing and legendary parties. The Sailing Festival is celebrating her 10th anniversary this year and a record entry of yachts from all over the world will be taking part in the event. The British Virgin Islands are well known for the pristine blue waters and heavenly weather, as well as the stunning archipelago of islands, offering one of the most picturesque settings anywhere in the Caribbean.

The BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival starts on Monday 26 March Credit Todd VanSickle:BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival 

The BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival starts on Monday 26 March Credit Todd VanSickle: BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival

The BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival provides a myriad of fantastic sailing; breathtaking coastal racing, renowned buoy and round the islands racing. Undoubtedly the fastest yacht competing will be Paradox, skippered by Frenchman, Olivier Vigoureux. The 63′ multihull is capable of ballistic speed, hitting a mind boggling 38 knots during this year’s RORC Caribbean 600. Probably the fastest monohull will be American Bill Alcott’s STP65, Equation.

The Farr designed speed machine is a past winner of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race and Alcott has a highly accomplished team on board visiting from Miami. Bill Alcott won the first BVI Sailing Festival and he has been coming back ever since.

A huge variety of yachts will be competing including the legendary Whitbread Maxi, Rothmans. Bill Erixon and his Swedish team is celebrating a world sailing tour and chose the BVI Spring Regatta for their Caribbean adventure. From Los Angeles, California, a Wild West duel is likely between two one design Farr400s. Mick Shlens’ charter yacht Blade should be evenly matched with Dougie Baker’s Magnitude. From Trinidad, Peter Peake will be campaigning his new charge, Peake Yacht Services. The Reichel Pugh 37 is a real pocket rocket and a former winner of the Cape Town to Rio Race. British entry, sailing yacht Diamonds are Forever skippered by Annie O’Sullivan, should prove to be one of the more colourful entries. The all-girl sailing school has a reputation for consistent form at regattas, by partying as hard as they sail on the water!

The BVI Spring Regatta Race Village on Nanny Cay Beach - Credit Todd Van Sickle:BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival 

The BVI Spring Regatta Race Village on Nanny Cay Beach - Credit Todd Van Sickle: BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival

The Sailing Festival kicks off the week long festivities and starts with an awe-inspiring passage races from Nanny Cay to the Bitter End Yacht Club in beautiful Virgin Gorda. With small bays and hidden coves, the British Virgin Islands are a wondrous sight and winding through the pristine chain of islands is every sailors dream. Beyond doubt the BVIs are a tropical paradise and there is ample opportunity to explore the delights of Virgin Gorda on Lay Day. The return passage race down the channel, to Nanny Cay Marina will complete the Sailing Festival, bringing the fleet back to Tortola in time to join the party for the BVI Spring Regatta.

Nanny Cay Marina will already be buzzing with excitement; Wednesday and Thursday 28-29 March, Nanny Cay will play host to the GILL BVI International Match Racing Championships. Two days of exciting duels between IC24′s on tight windward leeward courses. Eight international teams will battle it out in an ISAF sanctioned Grade 3 match racing event. With expert race commentary, spectators can follow the drama as it unfolds from the shore of Nanny Cay.

The BVI Spring Regatta attracts the largest fleet at the event and runs from March 30 – April 1. With three days of world-class racing action and famous beach parties at Nanny Cay Marina, the regatta is not to be missed. The action off the water includes the annual bikini show on Saturday and stilt walking Moko Jumbies on Sunday night, so there’s plenty to entertain racers and spectators alike. Every evening,video footage from the day’s event will be broadcast in the Race Village and there will be daily results and race reports with awesome pictures of the sailing action and evening festivities.

Nautor’s Swan 100 charter yacht VIRAGO – Winner of the 2012 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

March 23, 2012

On a beautiful, sun-splashed day with solid easterly tradewinds coursing over the deep blue seas surrounding the fabulous Caribbean island of St. Maarten, a spectacular fleet of 202 yachts in 15 separate divisions hoisted sail on Friday, March 2 to start the 32nd edition of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

Nautors Swan 100 charter yacht VIRAGO

Nautors Swan 100 charter yacht VIRAGO

On the first day the breeze was sharp and steady. On the second day of the annual Caribbean sailing festival, it blew harder still. On the third and final day of competition, the wind gods truly unleashed their power. And the result was one of the more stirring, sensational days of racing in the grand and storied legacy of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

When the racers crossed the finish for the third and final race of the 2012 running, a new roster of St. Maarten Heineken Regatta champions was crowned.

Winner on the final race day in CSA 2 was Klaas van Duuren, but in the overall standings, it was too little, too late, to overcome Bill and Carolyn Titus’s magnificent Swan 100 charter yacht Virago, which earned a second today—along with two firsts in the previous two contests—to record a comfortable win in the “Big Boat” division. Klaas even missed the post to 2nd place, narrowly beaten by Kip Curren’s Swan 90 charter yacht Nefertiti. And yet another Swan claimed 4th place; Tomek Ulatowski’s Swan 100 luxury yacht Varsovie.

CSA 5 was another back-and-forth affair, which came down to two boats: a local boat and Jack Desmond’s Swan 48 CR yacht Affinity. The windy weather, and a fair bit of local knowledge, favoured the local which wrapped up the division title with a victory in the deciding race. Affinity finished in an impressive 3rd place.

CSA7 saw one of the closest battles in this year’s event. Valerio Bardi’s Swan 46 yacht Milatno, was nipped to top position by just one point.

60th Giraglia Rolex Cup 2012: St. Tropez, France to San Remo, Italy

March 22, 2012

The Giraglia Rolex Cup is one of the most popular yachting events in the Mediterranean and has been a tradition for European sailors close to 60 years. The event is a pageant of sailing and runs over a full week each year in mid-June.

2012 marks the 60th edition of the Giraglia Rolex Cup, an event that came to life in 1953 in a show of camaraderie between Italian and French sailors wishing to prove that the rigours of World War II were behind them.

Sailing yacht JETHOU, GBR rounding the Giraglia Rock - Photo By Rolex Carlo Borlenghi

Sailing yacht JETHOU, GBR rounding the Giraglia Rock - Photo By Rolex Carlo Borlenghi

The key dates this year are Friday, 8 June to Friday, 15 June. Inshore racing on the Bay of Saint-Tropez takes place from Sunday, 10 to Tuesday, 12 June, and, the offshore race starts on Wednesday, 13 June. The period in Saint-Tropez has a quintessential French Mediterranean feel, with the three days of inshore racing allowing competitors to enjoy the culinary highlights of an engaging port, before embarking on the more serious challenge of a 241-nautical mile race to San Remo, via the Giraglia, a rocky outcrop off the northern tip of Corsica.

Regularly attracting in excess of 200 yachts for the week of competition, the event is a kaleidoscope of nationalities. The French and Italians make up the bulk of entries, but frequently yachts from the USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Nordic countries, Eastern Europe, Russia, and, even Asia and the Southern Hemisphere add richness to the occasion.

There are various notable moments for the participants. Certainly, the most memorable is the customary crew party featuring live music, exceptional food and drink, and, a spectacular firework display. Hosted by Rolex, it is set amid the grounds of La Citadelle, the 17th century fort that dominates the skyline on the landward side of Saint-Tropez. This year, the Giraglia Rolex Cup Crew Party will be held on Monday, 11 June.

The Rolex Crew Party goes on at the Citadelle - Photo By Rolex Carlo Borlenghi

The Rolex Crew Party goes on at the Citadelle - Photo By Rolex Carlo Borlenghi

Thereafter, for those on the offshore race, the rounding of the Giraglia marks the turning for the home. The rock itself is like many others, topped with a lighthouse to help navigators with their bearings. It lies less than one nautical mile off the coast of Corsica, rises 66-metres at its highest point and measures 600-metres in length. Yet, it has achieved mythic proportion in the minds of racing sailors, who view it in similar terms as the Fastnet Rock: somewhere small and uninhabitable, but crucial in the quest to complete the challenge of the race.

Start of the inshore race Photo By Rolex Carlo Borlenghi

Start of the inshore race Photo By Rolex Carlo Borlenghi

The inshore series prize giving will take place on Tuesday, 12 June in Saint-Tropez, whilst the final prize giving will be held on Friday, 15 June in San Remo. The event is organised by the Yacht Club Italiano one of the oldest yacht clubs in the Mediterranean, with the assistance of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez (with both of which clubs Rolex enjoys an exclusive partnership), and, in conjunction with the Yacht Club de France. Rolex has sponsored the event since 1997.

10 Perini Navi superyachts set to compete in the St. Barths Bucket Regatta 2012

March 21, 2012

This year again Perini Navi participates at the St. Barths Bucket Regatta, represented by 10 spectacular vessels, including the 47m charter yacht Andromeda la Dea, the 46m luxury charter yacht Antara, the 50m charter yacht Baracuda, the 45m sailing yacht Clan VIII, the 56m Fidelis, the 45m Helios, the 56m charter yacht Panthalassa, the 54m Parsifall III, the 56m charter yacht Zenji and the 38m charter yacht P2. This popular regatta will take place in the Caribbean from March 22 to 25, 2012.

From the 38m charter yacht P2 shot at the St Barths Bucket Regatta

From the 38m charter yacht P2 shot at the St Barths Bucket Regatta

Forty-seven yachts will make up the fleet of this year’s St Barths Bucket Regatta, an international regatta that draws yachts and designers from all over the world to the Caribbean, for a fun yet competitive regatta where safety is held supreme.

The Perini Navi yacht that places first will win, as every year, the Perini Navi Trophy.

Luxury sailing yacht Parsifal III at the St Barth's Bucket Regatta

Luxury sailing yacht Parsifal III at the St Barth's Bucket Regatta

The fleet, which will be made up entirely of yachts of over 100ft, will be racing in the beautiful waters around the Island of St Baths and will be divided into three categories: Les Gazelles de Mer is the Racing category and will have 20 yachts enrolled, Les Grandes Dames de Mer is the Cruising category and will have 15 yachts enrolled. Finally, Les Elegantes del Mers is the category reserved for J Class yachts and will have 12 yachts enrolled.

Helios and The Maltese Falcon superyachts at the Bucket

Helios and The Maltese Falcon superyachts at the Bucket

The regatta will begin on March 22nd and will have a full programme. Starting with registration and a J Class Exhibition Race, the Captain’s Meeting, the Fleet Welcome Party and the Owner’s Reception. The first regatta will follow the Around the Island course and will begin in the morning of March 23rd followed by the Dock Party & Fleet Open House in the evening. The second race will be the next day and will be along the Not so wiggley course and will be followed by the Bucket Bash. March 25th will see the last race along the Wrong Way Around course and will be followed by the prize ceremony and a cocktail party.

Doyle Sailmakers sponsors the 2012 St Barths Bucket Regatta

March 21, 2012

Doyle Sailmakers is pleased to sponsor the St Barths Bucket Regatta once again, running from March 22 to 25, 2012. The wait list to take part in this popular yacht regatta is a real proof of the excellent job done by the Bucket organizers, superyacht owners as well as crew, elevating superyacht competing to an amazing level of fun and excitement.

Perini Navi Charter Yacht ANDROMEDA LA DEA Courtesy of Fred Summer

Perini Navi Charter Yacht ANDROMEDA LA DEA Courtesy of Fred Summer

Numerous superyachts with Doyle sails will be taking part in the 2012 St Barths Bucket including: the 47m charter yacht Andromeda La Dea, the 62m Athos, the 37.5m luxury charter yacht Axia, the 50m charter yacht Baracuda, the 37m charter yacht Bliss, the 34m superyacht Blue Too, the 56m Fidelis, the 39m luxury charter yacht Ganesha, the 45m Helios II, the 43m Koo, the 37m charter yacht Moonbird, the 38m charter yacht P2, the 25m sailing yacht Paraiso, the 54m Parsifal III, the 45m charter yacht Salperton IV, Symmetry and the 56m charter yacht Zenji.

Luxury sailing yacht AXIA

Luxury sailing yacht AXIA

Doyle Sailmakers’ continued success in the superyacht market is the result of design and engineering expertise, reliability and after sales service. Their network of over 80 lofts worldwide allows them to provide local service worldwide.

Luxury charter yacht Bliss

Luxury charter yacht Bliss

Doyle Sailmakers will be well represented in St Barths by Robbie Doyle and numerous representatives from all over the world including: John Baxter, Richard Bouzaid, Matt Bridge, Glenn Cook, Quinny Houry, Richard Hulston, Phill Maxwell, Maria Francesca Natoli, Andrew Schneider, Brendan Simons, Jud Smith, Francesco Valenza, and Guy Waddilove.

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