Les Voiles de St. Barth Richard Mille sailing toward 2021
by Timothée Malachard 11 Nov 2020 23:11 NZDT
11-17 April 2021
Les Voiles de St. Barth Richard Mille © Christophe Jouany
A new class for super maxis
These impressive racing yachts have one characteristic in common: a waterline length greater than 30 meters.
Since the regatta's debut in 2010, Les Voiles de St Barth Richard Mille has always had a soft spot for these magnificent sailboats that perfectly blend beauty, comfort, and cutting-edge technology: Sojana (35 m), Highland Breeze (34 m), the Verdier/ VLPL Comanche (30.5 m), the Wally Cento Galateia (30.5 m), and SHK ScallyWag (30.5 m)...
For the first time next year, the 2021 regatta is planning to add a dedicated class for the Super Maxis, so that these remarkable sailboats can compete against each other, under the IRC rating rule.
Bella Mente makes a comeback!
After a year's long pause, Bella Mente, "Beautiful Spirit" in Italian, the fabulous Maxi 72 belonging to American businessman Hap Fauth, made its return to racing in September, and has already announced its participation in the next edition of Les Voiles de St. Barth Richard Mille.
This "comeback" has already been celebrated by a terrific victory in the Queen's Cup on September 27, and a well-merited third place in the New York Yacht Club's Race Week organized in Newport. These two events allowed the 22-member crew to get back in practice and test the new keel on the boat.
The last time Bella Mente participated in Les Voiles dates from 2017... which means the return of this Maxi 72 to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean is awaited with great impatience!
Prepare your transportation
Les Voiles de St. Barth Richard Mille is working with transporter Sevenstar Yacht Racing Logistics to provide all of our participants with professional assistance to transport their boats from the United States, Europe, Australia, or Asia to the Caribbean. Sevenstar also proposes personalized solutions to obtain replacement parts, sea containers, or ship packages via air cargo.
For the past 25 years Sevenstar has also offered a complete service for regattas such as Les Voiles, with a staff available to solve all problems!
Contact or visit sevenstar-yacht-transport.com.
Current Covid-19 rules for St. Barthélemy
The island of St. Barthélemy remains open to all visitors and is not impacted by the lockdown currently in place in metropolitan France.
Businesses, restaurants, boutiques, hotels, and many activities on the island remain open to the public.
Everyone traveling to the island of Saint Barthélemy must present a negative RT-PRC Covid test done within 72 hours before arrival and take a second test at the medical lab on the island seven days after arrival if staying on the island longer than one week.
More information here
Richard Mille, a long-term partner
"We have supported Les Voiles de St Barth since the very first edition in 2010. Since then we have grown with the event and it is a thrill to see the recognition this international regatta has now achieved. Every year the quality of the yachts and crew confirm its current status as being the race to win in the Caribbean.
2020 has been a very difficult year for everyone, and the organizers were forced to postpone this year's event. We wholly supported them in this decision. We are optimistic that in April of next year racing will be back to normal around the island and expect that the competitors will be enthusiastic to compete against each other once again after an enforced one-year break.
We look forward to a new edition and our support is reflected in the fact that we regularly announce a new Limited Edition watch bearing Les Voiles de St Barth's unique spirit."