Les Voiles de Saint Barth

Les Voiles de Saint Barth, its growing momentum as a major event in St Barths, and its success in attracting satisfied participants are of special interest to the Collectivite of ST. Barthelemy. The island of St. Barthelemy is thoughtfully contending with its economic, environmental and cultural development, a fragile formula for such a small and internationally recognized island.

The French know how to mix racing and partying. And the lovely French women dress in the most improbably delicious outfits, and wear them as though they were on the catwalk.

Now in its fourth year, this year's 65-boat Voiles fleet is the biggest ever. There are 65 entries from 24 to 80 feet. This includes seven maxis, 36 boats in three spinnaker divisions, four multihulls, and four classics. The Bay Area's Kenny Keefe is here again with Jim Swartz's TransPac 52 Vesper, Steve Schmidt is back with the cruising Santa Cruz 70 Hotel California, Too, and there's some Seattle boat named Hamachi. We'll be looking for other West Coast boats and sailors as the week goes on.

Organizers expect there will be about 800 sailors involved, so wholesalers have unloaded about 30 containers of champagne. Can't have sailors going thirsty. Bubbly and St. Barth just seem to go together. The Voiles parties on the dock are legendary.