By the time this January issue is distributed, 2023 will have started and St. Barth will once again have been the place to be for the New Year festivities. Colorfully decorated Gustavia is the gathering place around New Year’s Eve for the largest, newest and most beautiful yachts on the planet. On the night of the 31st, celebrities and VIPs can be seen sipping champagne and sampling hors d’oeuvres on board the docked mega yachts.
Before that, however, the real sailors participate in the friendly 24-mile ‘Around the Island’ pursuit race. Open to all sailing enthusiasts with “regular size boats”, many superyachts enjoy this event as part of their New Year’s celebrations. This regatta also makes a great spectacle for visitors.
Well-known yachts such as Visione and Phaedo (record holder) have participated in previous regattas. Also, yachts from Royal Huisman, Vitters, Holland Yachtbouw, Perini Navi, Baltic, and J-class yachts have competed alongside local yachts such as the St. Maarten Island WaterWorld yacht owned by Frits Bus.
The St. Barth New Year’s Eve regatta has become an annual tradition and is organized by the St. Barth Yacht Club, with the help of volunteers such as Annelisa Gee and Mark Del Guidice, Marina Manager at Forty 1° North in Newport, Rhode Island. He has been coming to the island every year to organize the race since its inception around 20 years ago. The size of the regatta depends on the number of participants and the weather. In the past, rough seas have resulted in the delayed start of the race.
The skippers’ briefing takes place on December 30 at 1600 hrs. The planned race start is 11:00 on December 31st and the awards are presented on the dock at 17:00. This is followed by a glass of champagne to kick off the New Year’s Eve festivities on the dock, with fireworks, kisses, well wishes – and more champagne at midnight!
If you missed this New Year’s event, make sure you secure your entry in next year’s race. Contact the Port office or the St. Barth Yacht Club.
Saint Barth Yacht Club
Public BP 556
97097
Saint Barthélemy
Tel: +590 (0)590 27 70 41
Email: sbyc@wanadoo.fr
