With the extremely successful 2011 edition of the Les Voiles de St. Barth recently completed, the organizing team is already hard at work focusing on the third edition of this major Caribbean yachting event, Les Voiles St. Barth 2012. The dates of April 2 – 7, 2012 have officially been announced to competitors on the 48 boats that, this year, took advantage of idyllic conditions on the waters off St. Barth.

Les Voiles de St. Barth 2011 © Christophe Jouany

“Everyone was so pleased with the concept of four days of racing in brilliant sunshine and windy conditions combined with a day to enjoy all the sybaritic pleasures of life ashore,” said Event Organizer François Tolède.  “It all but guarantees the success of the 2012 Les Voiles de St. Barth.” Ken Read (Newport, R.I.), skipper of the Maxi yacht Rambler 100, which won the 2011 event, has encouraged the organisers “not to change a thing, as it all seems perfect to me.” But Tolède, along with Race Logistics Director Luc Poupon and with the support of all the event partners, is determined to come up with an event that is even more festive ashore and just as “perfect” out on the water.

Short music video of action aboard race winner Rambler 100 at Les Voiles de St. Barth 2011 Credit: Amory Ross / Les Voiles de St. Barth

Les Voiles de St. Barth 2011 brought together 48 yachts from 20 nations and in five classes. The event concept that delighted the sailors, skippers and owners, enabled just over 400 sailors to race on a wide range of courses around the island of St Barth and to enjoy some relaxation in the Caribbean sunshine once ashore.

Thanks to steady, strong winds, and powerful seas, the dreamy backdrop of the island, and the warm sunshine of St. Barth, the Les Voiles de St. Barth event was, in the words of several of the sailors who took part, “the ideal place to start the spring racing season.” From well-known yachtsmen Bruno Troublé, Jim Swartz and George David to top professional sailors Gavin Brady, Peter Holmberg and Bouwe Bekking, all 2011 participants look forward to next year’s edition of Les Voiles, with a fleet of racing and Maxi yachts that promise to continue growing.