The 8th edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Barth was held from 10th to 15th April 2017, bringing together high-performance boats and top crews. 1100 sailors met in the West Indies for a week of regattas in a magical place. A total of 700 crews divided into nine classes: Maxi 1, Maxi 2, CSA 0, CSA 1, CSA 2, CSA 3, CSA 4, Melges 24 and CSA Multihull competed for victory in the Little Saints area.
Each day, the nine classes started in five separate groups at the starting line of each of the races on the program this week. As in previous editions, the smaller units started before the larger ones. Thus, the Melges 24 and the CSA 4 took off first, followed by the CSA 3 and 2, then the CSA 1 and 0, followed by the Maxi 1 and 2, while the Multihulls closed the gap.
The large boats are more and more represented as we could count 15 Maxis. "The spectacle offered by the biggest boats, but also the smallest ones was magical and their performance incredible, in the wind and in the small air" said François Toledo, Director of the Voiles de Saint-Barth Organisation.
The regattas gave rise to some fine matches between the various competitors, and especially between the favourites. And this, despite the light weather that marked this edition. Saturday was cancelled due to the lack of wind. This year, the race organisers had prepared a panel of 21 possible courses. "The smallest one is twelve miles long and the biggest 39. Five go around the island, with variations from 17 to 27 miles."
Thirteen countries represented
Antigua & Barbuda, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Puerto-Rico, Spain, United Kingdom, United States: in total, no less than thirteen countries were represented in this 8th edition of the Sails of Saint Barth. France remains the most important nation with 15 crews, including eleven Caribbean sailors (Martinique, Saint-Barth and Guadeloupe). Next came the United States and Great Britain, each with eleven boats entered in the event.
A welcome day off
As is traditional in Les Voiles de Saint-Barth, the crews took advantage of a day off. A welcome "off" day after the first two days of intense racing, during which the sailors found themselves on the beach in Saint John and at the Nikki Beach restaurant, renowned for its festive atmosphere. Also, everyone was able to relax and enjoy themselves to the rhythm of a rich and varied programme of entertainment offered by the organisers. On the menu: giant Stand-Up Paddle jousts, an underwater treasure hunt...
New winners and repeat offenders
In the end, only three days of regattas will have determined the winners, as Saturday was characterised by the lack of wind.
| General | Maxi 1 | Maxi 2 | CSA 0 | CSA 1 |
| 1-Proteus 2-Prospector 3-SFS | 1-Proteus 2-Prospector 3-SFS | 1-Windfall 2-Aragon 3-Ply Play | 1- Sorcha 2- Fomo 3- Earlybird | 1-Fortunata 2-Hotel California too 3-Spirit |
| CSA 2 | CSA 3 | CSA 4 | Multihull | Melges 24 |
| 1- Oystercatcher XXXI 2- Lazy Dog 3- Kick'em Jenny 2 | 1- Blitz 2- Liquid 3 - Better Than | 1- Pasco's Jaguar 2- Solstice 3 - Touch2Play Racing | 1- Fujin 2- Triple Jack 3- R-SIX | 1- Team Island Water World 2- GFA Caribbean 3- Boost'n sail |
